Paracatu, Historical mining municipality in Minas Gerais, Brazil
Paracatu is a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, sitting on the Brazilian Highlands. The surrounding landscape shifts between rolling hills and open plains, with farmland and modern mining operations visible on the outskirts.
The settlement was founded in 1798 as Vila de Paracatu do Príncipe after precious metal deposits were discovered in the mid-1700s. Mining has shaped the development of the town for over two centuries.
The name comes from the Tupi language meaning "good river", referring to the waterway that runs through the area. Churches built during the colonial period still hold regular services, their baroque interiors open to visitors throughout the week.
A hospital and several health centers operate across the town, offering basic medical care to residents and travelers. The local airport connects the area with other Brazilian cities, making arrival easier from larger urban centers.
Several quilombola communities live in the surrounding countryside, preserving traditions passed down from ancestors who escaped slavery. Their settlements are scattered across the rural zone and form part of the regional identity.
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