Jequitinhonha Valley

The Jequitinhonha Valley is one of the twelve mesoregions of Minas Gerais formed by the union of 51 municipalities grouped into five regions: Almenara, Araçuaí, Chappel, Diamantina and Stone Blue. 

Located north of Minas Gerais, the Valley is widely known, on the one hand, because of their low social indicators, the other by being the holder of lush natural beauty and cultural richness enviable, where surviving traces of indigenous culture and Black culture. 

The region, which originally belonged to Bahia by the end of the seventeenth century, was incorporated in the State of Minas Gerais after the discovery of diamonds in Tijuco - Diamantina area. 

The former Arraial do Tijuco was renamed by Diamantina is located literally on diamonds. These stones were extracted in large quantities by the Crown of Portugal during the seventeenth century. 

The microregion of Diamantina is composed of eight municipalities: Couto de Magalhães de Minas, Dates, Diamantina, Felicio dos Santos Gouveia, President Kubitschek, São Gonçalo do Rio Preto, Senador Modestino Gonçalves. 

Distances from major centers:

Belo Horizonte: 282 km 
Brasília: 719 km 
Rio de Janeiro: 616 km 
São Paulo: 868 km 

Mucuri Valley

The meso Mucuri Valley is formed by the union of 23 municipalities grouped into two micro: Nanuque Otoni and Theophilus. The Valley has this name due to being driven at Rio Mucuri.

The Mucuri Valley lies exactly on the border of three states: Minas Gerais, which is a part, Espirito Santo and Bahia. Among its major cities are Teófilo Ottoni, known for its economy based on precious stones and Nanuque, who has livestock and agriculture as strengths. 

The microregion of Teófilo Ottoni is composed of 13 municipalities: Ataléia, Catuji, Franciscópolis, Frei Gaspar, Itaipava, Litany, Malacacheta, Novo Oriente de Minas, Ouro Verde de Minas, Peacock, Pot, Setubinha Otoni and Theophilus. 

The city of Teófilo Ottoni is located northeast of Minas Gerais and was born according to a politician's dream miner Teófilo Benedito Ottoni, who wanted to build in the region for the production and marketing of coffee. The route of natural link between Minas Gerais and the coast was through the main river, the Rio Mucuri. The Europeans, especially Germans, were of fundamental importance for the region's progress. 


Distance to major centers:

Belo Horizonte: 450 km 
Brasília: 1162 km 
Rio de Janeiro: 730 km 
Salvador: 900 km