Lagoa da Prata
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| Lagoa da Prata | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | Brazil |
| Region | Southeast |
| State | Minas Gerais |
| Municipal incorporation | December 27, 1938 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Antonio Divino de Miranda (PPS) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| - City | 44,628 |
| - Density | 101.5/km² (262.9/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (UTC-3) |
| - Summer (DST) | UTC-2 (UTC-2) |
Lagoa da Prata is a Brazilian city in the state of Minas Gerais. In 2006, its population was estimated to be 44,628[2].
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[edit] 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).[3]
In December of 1938, Lagaoa da Prata became etsablished as a city.
[edit] Tourism
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. [4] Other tourist attractions include the Ponte de Ferro ("Bridge of Iron" in English) which is a bridge which crosses the São Francisco River, a cachoeira da Cemiguinha ("The Cemiguinha Waterfall" in English) and a series of painted caves and grottos.
[edit] The Silver Lagoon
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.
[edit] References
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