Montes Claros, Regional capital in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil
Montes Claros is a regional capital in the northern part of Minas Gerais and sits in a hilly landscape about 260 miles (417 km) from Belo Horizonte. The downtown area spreads across several parallel streets that cluster around a central square and are lined with low buildings.
The settlement began in 1768 under the name Arraial de Formigas on the site of a cattle farm. In 1857 the place officially received city status.
The city's name means "clear mountains" and refers to the hills around the center, visible from a distance on clear days. Residents use the main square and surrounding streets as a meeting point in the evening, especially on weekends.
The city has its own regional airport that offers regular connections to the state capital. Several universities are located within the city limits and attract students from the entire region.
The Lapa Grande cave system stretches for around 3 kilometers (2 miles) beneath the surface and can be partially visited. In the passages lie fossilized remains of animals that lived here thousands of years ago.
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