Divinópolis, Industrial center in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Divinópolis is an industrial city in the central west of Minas Gerais, located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Belo Horizonte and near the Pará River. The urban area spreads across gentle hills and includes several residential neighborhoods, a commercial center, and industrial zones distributed along the main roads.
The settlement emerged around 1767 when families established themselves near two rivers and initially named the place Paragem da Itapecerica. The municipality grew around agricultural activities in the 19th century and developed into a regional industrial center during the 20th century.
The city hosts a version of the Samba concert hall where regional musicians perform local rhythms from Minas mixed with influences from the surrounding area. Visitors can also experience the weekend markets where artisans sell traditional ceramics and textiles from the region.
The center is walkable and most shops and services are located near the main squares. Buses connect the outer districts to the downtown area, making movement between neighborhoods straightforward.
During the 1930s the city established one of the first Brazilian facilities to produce fuel ethanol from cassava. This initiative represented an important step in the country's early biofuel research.
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