Ibirité, Municipality in Belo Horizonte metropolitan region, Brazil
Ibirité is a municipality in the Belo Horizonte metropolitan region, situated at approximately 870 meters in elevation within Minas Gerais state. The city spans roughly 73 square kilometers of hilly terrain with natural landscape features characteristic of central Brazil.
Settlement began in 1880 as the village of Pantano de Vargas within Sabará parish before becoming an independent municipality in 1963. This transformation from a rural village to a separate city reflects the region's growth and development over several decades.
The name comes from the indigenous Tupi language and refers to the iron-rich lands and forests that once covered the region. Residents and visitors experience this heritage through the landscape and local geography that still shape daily life.
The municipality offers good educational facilities with approximately 35 primary schools and ten secondary schools serving residents. Several higher education institutions are also located in the area, making it an important center for learning within the metropolitan region.
The Serra do Rola-Moça State Park covers a significant portion of the municipality's territory, protecting roughly 3,900 hectares of natural environment. This park serves as a refuge for local plant and animal life, allowing visitors to experience the region's original landscape while remaining close to urban areas.
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