Santana do Paraíso
Santana do Paraíso | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Santana do Paraíso | |
From top to bottom and left to right: partial view of Santana do Paraíso's downtown from the Alto Santana neighborhood; "I'm in Paradise" sign at Dona Maria do Carmo Events Square; sunset at the Vale do Aço Regional Airport; Matriz Square and Santana Mother Church; view of the Cidade Nova neighborhood; section of MG-232 with Pedra dos Tancredos waterfall in the background; and a panoramic view from Serra da Viúva. Preview warning: Page using Template:Multiple image with unknown parameter "color" | |
| Anthem: Anthem of the municipality of Santana do Paraíso | |
Location of Santana do Paraíso | |
Santana do Paraíso | |
| Coordinates: 19°21′50″S 42°34′08″W / 19.36389°S 42.56889°W | |
| Country | Brazil |
| Region | Southeast |
| State | Minas Gerais |
| Metropolitan region | Vale do Aço |
| Neighboring municipalities | West: Mesquita; North: Belo Oriente; East: Ipaba; Southeast: Caratinga; South: Ipatinga. |
| Distance to capital | 237 kilometres (147 mi) |
| Founded | April 28, 1992 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Bruno Campos Morato (Avante) |
| • Term ends | 2028 |
| Area | |
| 276.067 km2 (106.590 sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 11.02 km2 (4.25 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 270 m (890 ft) |
| Population (IBGE Census/2022) | |
| 44,800 | |
• Estimate (IBGE/2024) | 48,286 |
| • Density | 162/km2 (420/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Paraisense |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (BRT) |
| Postal code | 35179-000 to 35179-999 |
| Area code | +55 31 |
| Climate | Tropical savanna climate (Aw) |
| HDI (UNDP/2010) | 0.685 (medium) |
| GDP (IBGE/2021) | R$750,462,520 |
| GDP per capita (IBGE/2021) | R$20,818.42 |
| Website | santanadoparaiso |
Santana do Paraíso is a Brazilian municipality located in the interior of the state of Minas Gerais, in the Southeast Region of the country. It is situated in the Vale do Rio Doce and is part of the Vale do Aço Metropolitan Region, approximately 240 kilometres (150 mi) east of the state capital. The municipality covers an area of just over 276 square kilometres (107 sq mi), with 11 square kilometres (4.2 sq mi) constituting the urban area, and its population was estimated at 48,286 inhabitants in 2024.
The exploration of the region where the city now stands began in the 19th century, through expeditions ordered by John VI of Portugal aimed at occupying the area, which became feasible only after the evangelization of local indigenous peoples by Guido Marlière after 1819. Marlière also facilitated the construction of roads, later used by tropeiros. Near the present-day city center, at Cachoeira do Engenho Velho, a rest stop was established, which evolved into a farm and commercial hub, around which the settlement known as Taquaraçu formed. This settlement became the district of Santana do Paraíso in 1892.
The area experienced further development due to the influence of industrial complexes in the current Vale do Aço region during the 1940s and 1950s. In 1959, it was selected as the site for the Ipatinga Airport, which remains the only airport in the region. Its proximity to Ipatinga, the headquarters of Usiminas, spurred urban growth and the formation of a new urban nucleus in a conurbation with the neighboring city, parallel to the original district seat. With its status as a dormitory city and recent industrial investments within its territory, emancipation occurred in 1992. The sustained industrial activity in the region contributed to the establishment of the Vale do Aço Metropolitan Region, one of the main urban centers in the state's interior.
Beyond its economic and demographic significance, the municipality is home to numerous trails, forests, lagoons, and waterfalls open to visitors. A key landmark in the city is the Santana Mother Church, maintained by the local parish. Cultural expressions include a congado group, handicrafts, and festive events such as the city’s anniversary celebrations, the Feast of the Divine, and the day of Saint Anne, the municipal patron saint.