Teófilo Otoni, Trade center in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Teófilo Otoni is a municipality in northeastern Minas Gerais that spreads along the Todos os Santos River. The city sits at around 320 meters (1,050 feet) above sea level and covers a wide area with residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and surrounding rural districts.
German settlers founded this place on September 7, 1853, as part of a colonization project. The settlement gained city status in 1878 and was named after Senator Teófilo Benedito Ottoni, who encouraged migration to this region.
The name honors a 19th-century Brazilian senator who promoted settlement in this region. Today many residents work in the gem trade, and shops along the main streets display aquamarines and topaz in their windows.
Four hospitals and 61 health centers serve the residents, and several educational institutions offer classes at different levels. Direct road links lead to Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, making the city easy to reach.
The annual gem and mineral show draws international buyers and local traders who exchange aquamarines, topaz, and various forms of quartz. The area is known for its mineral-rich deposits, which have yielded precious stones for generations.
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