Sete Lagoas

Sete Lagoas is a commercial city in central Minas Gerais roughly halfway between the highlands and the Espinhaço range. The city spreads across gentle hills and plains with residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and scattered green spaces between built-up areas.

Gold prospectors settled the area in the early 1700s as they traveled to mining sites farther inland. The city itself was formally established in 1880 and grew steadily through the 20th century as industry and farming took root.

The name refers to seven natural lakes that once shaped the area and can still be seen in a few spots today. On weekends families gather in parks and public squares where grilled meat and regional dishes reflect the city's everyday culture.

The city can be reached by highway BR 040, which connects it to larger centers in the region. Visitors planning a longer stay will find lodging in different neighborhoods and several public clinics for medical services.

Several of the lakes that gave the city its name have been protected by municipal law since the late 1980s and are now enclosed within residential areas. Though fewer than seven remain visible today, they continue to shape certain neighborhoods with their shores and surrounding greenery.

Location: Minas Gerais

Inception: November 30, 1880

Elevation above the sea: 764 m

Shares border with: Araçaí, Caetanópolis, Capim Branco, Esmeraldas, Funilândia, Inhaúma, Jequitibá, Paraopeba, Prudente de Morais

Website: http://setelagoas.mg.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -19.46583,-44.24694

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:28