Lagoa da Prata

Infobox City
official_name = Lagoa da Prata
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_type2 = State
subdivision_name = Brazil
subdivision_name1 = Southeast
subdivision_name2 = Minas Gerais
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Antonio Divino de Miranda (PPS)
established_title = Municipal incorporation
established_date = December 27, 1938
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population_as_of = 2006
population_note =
population_footnotes =cite web|url = http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/estimativa2006/POP_2006_DOU.pdf | title = Estimativas das Populações Residentes, em 01.07.2006, Segundo os Municípios | language = Portuguese | publisher = IBGE | accessdate = 2006-09-01]
population_total = 44628
population_metro =
population_urban =
population_density_km2 = 101.5
population_density_sq_mi =
timezone = UTC-3
utc_offset = -3
timezone_DST = UTC-2
utc_offset_DST = -2
latd= 20
latm= 01
lats= 22
latNS= S
longd= 45
longm= 32
longs= 38
longEW= W
elevation_m =
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Lagoa da Prata is a Brazilian city in the state of Minas Gerais. In 2006, its population was estimated to be 44,628. [ [http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/estimativa2006/POP_2006_DOU.pdf General Lagoa da Prata data] ] The city belongs to the mesoregion of Central Mineira and to the microregion of Bom Despacho.

Early History

In the 1700s, Lagoa da Prata was a settlement which mined gold around the São Francisco River. It was established as a town in 1789. In 1896, Cel. Carlos Jose Bernardes Sobrinho founded the city. He originally called it "Pântano" ("Quagmire" in English), later chaing it to "São Carlos do Pântano" ("The Quagmire of Saint Carlos" in English). [ [http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=pt%7Cen&u=http://www.netwise.com.br/lagoadaprata/historia.html History of Lagoa da Prata] ]

In December of 1938, Lagaoa da Prata became established as a city.

Modern day

The downtown region of Lagoa da Prata is situated on hilly terrain, and at the end of the high road is a church which overlooks the city. Usina Luciânia was a residential neighbourhood situated approximately 6km away from downtown, but nowadays it is an industrial site owned by Louis Dreyfus Group.

In 1968, a series of beaches were constructed on the border of the lagoon to attract tourists. Today, the beaches remain Lagoa da Prata's main tourist attraction. [ [http://66.249.93.104/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.lagoadaprata.mg.gov.br/turismo.php&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522lagoa%2Bda%2Bprata%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26pwst%3D1 History and Tourist Potential of Lagoa da Prata] ] Other tourist attractions include the Ponte de Ferro ("Bridge of Iron" in English) which is a bridge that crosses the São Francisco River, a cachoeira da Cemiguinha ("The Cemiguinha Waterfall" in English) and a series of painted caves and grottos.

The bus station ("Rodoviária") is called "Terminal Rodoviária Pedro Roberto Amorim" after the mayor who commissioned its construction.

Etymology

In English, "Lagoa da Prata" means "Silver Lagoon", the name of the lagoon which the city is named after. It is called "Silver Lagoon" due to the silver sheen the clean water reflects when the sun shines on it. Its striking colour has led to priests and missionaries visiting the city.

Photo gallery

References