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Hello dear fellow Steemers!

Today I will not post a recipe but I will tell you a little bit about my home state Minas Gerais.
Minas Gerais is a state in the Southeastern of Brazil. It is the fourth most extensive state in Brazil and has an estimated population of almost 21 million inhabitants. This makes it to the second most populated state of Brazil.

Location of Minas Gerais within South America and Brazil

In Minas Gerais we have some of the longest rivers in Brazil and many beautiful waterfalls. One very famous region with waterfalls is the national park "Serra do Cipó".

Waterfalls in Minas Gerais

Most of the territory has altitudes that oscillate between 900 and 1500 meters. Some of the highest peaks in Brazil are in the mountain ranges in the southern part of the state.

Mountains in the southern part of Minas Gerais

A part of the history of the state of Minas Gerais was determined by the exploitation of the great mineral wealth that is in its territory. Its name even comes from the large quantity and variety of mines present, which have been exploited since the seventeenth century and to this day are a significant part of the state's economy.

Some examples of the stones that you can find in Minas Gerais

Minas Gerais is known for its heritage of architecture and colonial art in historical cities. In the colonial era, the Brazilian interior was colonized by the Portuguese. The Brazilian gold rush ushered in an influx of new settlers in search of veins of gold (discovered 1693) and gems, and later diamonds. Some important cities of this era are for example Ouro Preto and Diamantina.

Examples of the architecture of the colonial era

Religiousness has a big influence on the main cultural festivities of the people of Minas Gerais, especially in the folk festivals. Among the traditions present in the state, the Congado stands out, which gathers dances inherited from the African customs, spread by the slaves, with the Catholic traditions of the colonizers.

The Congado festival

Another famous event are the “Street rugs” in celebration of Corpus Christi

Much of the artisanal mining production is connected to the state's cultural traditions, such as depicting images of saints or historical characters.

Handicrafts from Minas Gerais

Minas Gerais is known nationally for its cuisine. The cultural basis of its cuisine is the small farmhouse, and many of the dishes are prepared using locally produced vegetables and meats, especially chicken and pork. Traditional cooking is done using coal- or wood-fired ovens and cast iron pans, making for a particularly tasty flavor; some restaurant chains have adopted these techniques and made this type of food popular in other parts of the country. Many dishes have indigenous origins, whose cuisine was predominantly based on cassava (manioc/yucca) and corn and had an increase in European customs, with the introduction of eggs, wine, sweets and hot meals.

The famous "comida minera" the food from Minas Gerais

A traditional kitchen

Traditional sweets from Minas Gerais

The best-known dish from Minas Gerais is "pão de queijo", a small baked roll known internationally as "Brazilian cheese rolls".

The state is also Brazil's most traditional producer of cheese. Minas cheese is renowned nationwide as the distinct Brazilian cheese.

Cheese from Minas Gerais

A typical breakfast from Minas Gerais

Cachaça is also a local product of importance. It is worldwide known as ingredient of the famous Caipirinha. The best Cachaça comes from Minas Gerais.

Some exapmles of Cachaças

Last but not least, the state is also the main producer of coffee and milk in the country.

Fazendas (Ranch)

Coffee plantage

I hope you enjoyed this post and get passioned as well as I am with Minas Gerais. This was only a small overview of all the things we have here in Minas Gerais. I want to finish this post with a video clip from the well known musician Marcus Viana and Transfônica Orkestra in Palácio das Artes. This music is called “Homeland Minas Gerais”. It is a tribute to Minas Gerais its culture and traditions and has influence of Baroque music and drums of Congado.