Governador Valadares is a Brazilian municipality in the countryside of Minas Gerais. In 2025, its population was 266,561 inhabitants, thus being the ninth most populated city in the state.

Climate

Temperature:

  • Annual average: 32.6 °C (90.7 °F])
  • Annual maximum average: 40.7 °C (105.3 °F)
  • Annual minimum average: 18.3 °C (65 °F)

Average annual rainfall index: 1,350 mm

Climate

History

Colonization of the region

Today's location of the municipality of Governador Valadares was found to be inhabited by Amerindians for at least 10 thousand years and registers from the first explorers of the region after Brazil's discovery, in 1500, provides us information that they were still numerous on that occasion. The exploration of this region began in the 16th century, with expeditions like the ones from Sebastião Fernandes Tourinho, that went by the Rio Doce route in the search for precious metals. Fernandes Tourinho went through the inverse route of the river until finding the Santo Antônio River,

The settlement was allowed on 1755 The barrack of Baguari was the first territory of today's municipality and along with him, near settlements also appeared, one of them being Figueira, that correspond to today's municipality. The Amerindians were seen as a threat to the colonizers and the barracks worked as a strategy of forcing them to leave the region. Near Figueira, in 1818, the D.Manoel barrack was created, on the left side of the Doce River, working as a little port that attended to military service and would also form a trading post.

Economy

Production and the intense trade in precious stones is the reason the "Brazil Gem Show" takes place in the local authority every year: an event that consists of the commerce of precious stones with Brazilians and foreign visitors

Governador Valadares is the biggest city and commercial center of the Eastern region of the state of Minas Gerais, having several cities in its area of influence, such as Teófilo Otoni and Caratinga. At present, Governador Valadares is growing in industrial development, due to its strategic position, human resources and international reputation.

It is a trade and industrial center. Sawmills and food-processing plants are in the city, and mica and beryl are mined in the area. Governador Valadares is one of the most famous gem-trading centres in Brazil. Gem minerals include amethyst, chrysoberyl, brazilianite, topaz and quartz. The Golconda mine, one of the oldest in the city, attracts the curiosity of tourists and stone collectors from all over the world.

Transportation

The city is served by the railroad Vitória-Minas, of Vale S.A. and by the highway Rio-Bahia (BR-116). It is also connected with the capital of the state by the BR-381.

The city is on the Belo Horizonte–Vitória railway and on the Rio de Janeiro–Salvador highway.

Distances from major centers:

  • Belo Horizonte – 311 km
  • Rio de Janeiro – 580 km
  • São Paulo – 891 km
  • Brasília – 1,045 km
  • Vitória – 420 km

Sport

The city hosts of one of the stages of the Brazilian hang gliding championship from the peak of Ibituruna, where it is possible to catch sight of the whole valley of Rio Doce. It also hosts several international hang gliding championships.

The city is known internationally for the World Paragliding Championships that has been held at Ibituruna Peak (1123 meters).

Neighborhoods

  • Vila Imperio

Sister cities

Governador Valadares is twinned with the following cities:

  • Framingham, Massachusetts, United States
  • Everett, Massachusetts, United States
  • Newark, New Jersey, United States
  • Bridgeport, Connecticut, United States

Notable people

  • Warlley Alves, MMA fighter
  • Eike Batista, entrepreneur
  • Geraldão, football player
  • Lucas Venuto, football player
  • Yasmim, football player

<gallery>

File:Sunset in Governador Valadares MG.jpg|Sunset in Governador Valadares

File:Rio Doce e Governador Valadares MG.JPG|view of the city from above

File:Vista GV Shopping, Governador Valadares MG.JPG|Shopping mall

File:GV Folia 2010, Governador Valadares MG.jpg|Carnival

File:MG - Pico da Ibituruna - Governador Valadares.jpg|Paragliding, the main sport of the city

File:IBITURUNA boa - panoramio.jpg|Top of the Ibituruna mountain

File:Valadares - panoramio.jpg|Ibituruna mountain reflection on Rio Doce river

File:Vista parcial da Praça dos Pioneiros, Governador Valadares MG.jpg|Downtown

File:Vale do Rio Doce, Minas Gerais.jpg|Rio Doce

</gallery>

See also

  • List of municipalities in Minas Gerais

References

  • Portal de Governador Valadares
  • Official city government site
  • City Brazil-Governador Valadares
  • Governador Valadares