Happy TravellerWelcome to Patos de Minas, a beautiful municipality located in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. This charming city is known for its high standard of living, rich history, and thriving economy. Join us as we explore the many wonders of Patos de Minas and discover why it should be on every traveler’s must-visit list.
Geography:
According to the modern (2017) geographic classification by Brazil’s National Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Patos de Minas is the main municipality in the Intermediate Geographic Region of Patos de Minas.
History:
The name Patos de Minas is derived from the ranch known as farmhouse Os Patos, owned by the original settlers, which had the name because of the large number of wild ducks found in the region. In 1826, the first settlers, Antônio da Silva Guerra and his wife, Luísa Correia de Andrade, donated lands for the new settlement, called Vila de Santo Antônio dos Patos. In 1892, Patos de Minas gained city status with the name of Patos, which was lengthened in 1944 to Patos de Minas.
High Standard of Living:
Patos de Minas occupies a privileged position in the ranking of cities in the state and country in socio-economic development. A study in Veja magazine in 2001 placed Patos in fifth place among five thousand cities with the greatest socio-economic development between 1970 and 1996. Rare among Brazilian cities of this size, around 99% of all the streets of the city are paved and have public lighting, and almost all of the inhabitants (97%) receive treated water. Sewage treatment reached 98% of the urban population. The city government site Municipal Human Development Index is 0.813 (2000), state ranking is 19 out of 853 municipalities as of 2000, and national ranking is 318 out of 5,138 municipalities as of 2000. The literacy rate is 92%, and the life expectancy is 74 (average of males and females).
Economy:
The main sources of income in Patos de Minas are agriculture, services, light industry, and livestock raising. Dairy products, jerked beef, and pork by-products are processed in the city. In 2005, the GDP was R$1,217 billion, with 750 million generated by services, 189 million by industry, and 154 million by agriculture. Patos is known nationally for its corn production. The Princess of the Alto Paranaíba as it is called, has become the national capital of corn, a fact that has attracted investors from all over the country to set up industries in agro-industry, garments, beverages, and packaging. It is also one of the most important seed producing centers in the country. Corn is so important in the life of the town that every May Patos puts on a festival, the biggest in the state, called Fenamilho, the Festa Nacional do Milho (National Corn Festival), in which there are rodeos and performances by country and western groups.
Health and Education in 2006:
Number of primary schools: 47
Enrollment in primary schools: 21,711
Number of middle or secondary schools: 23
Enrollment in middle or secondary schools: 7,063
Higher education: 3 private schools with an enrollment of 4,834 in 2005.
Hospitals: 1 public and 3 private with 366 beds (2005)
Health clinics: 27 public and 4 private.
Airport:
Pedro Pereira dos Santos Airport, built in the early 1990s, can receive medium-sized passenger planes from the Brasília to the Fokker F-27. It is located 6.5 km from the city. In March 2016, Flyways Airline started operating in the airport with 2 flights per week from Patos de Minas to the capital city Belo Horizonte.
In conclusion, Patos de Minas is a hidden gem in Brazil that offers a high standard of living, rich history, and thriving economy. With its beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine, and friendly locals, it is a must-visit destination for any traveler looking to experience the best that Brazil has to offer.
