10 Curiosities about Minas Gerais

Nothing better than visiting Minas Gerais, right? Only those who have passed through this state know how hospitable the people of Minas Gerais are and how pleasant the accent is.

Those who have never been to Minas Gerais just need to know about our Minas Gerais personality and never get tired of it.

But what I’m going to tell you now are 10 incredible facts about Minas Gerais. See all the details and then comment what you found most interesting in our reader comments section.

10 curiosities about Minas Gerais that not even miners know

1) Flag of the State of Minas Gerais

You know the design of the flag of Minas Gerais, right? But you sure don’t know the implications. So here it is: the triangle of the flag refers to the Holy Trinity and was proposed by our hero Tiradentes 🔺.

 The phrase “Libertas quae sera tamén” was coined by Alvarenga Peixoto, meaning “freedom, albeit late”, alluding to the rule of the Portuguese crown.

2) Cultural Heritage of Minas Gerais

Minas Gerais is the state in Brazil with the highest number of cultural heritage sites declared by UNESCO. Of the 14 heritage sites that exist throughout Brazil, here are 4.

The cultural assets are the following: the historic centers of Ouro Preto and Diamantina, the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Matosinhos in Congonhas and more recently the Pampulha complex in Belo Horizonte.

3) The third largest waterfall in Brazil is located in the state of Minas Gerais

Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Estrada Real, the Cachoeira do Tabuleiro has a difference in level of 273 meters and is located in Conceição do Mato Dentro.

In fact, I bet you’d love to take the royal route, right? So get your free passport and access the post with all the tips for your itinerary on the Estrada Real.

4) In Minas Gerais is the largest stalactite in the world

Nicknamed “Ballerina’s Leg”, the largest stalactite in the world is a rock formation measuring 28 meters in length.

It is located in Gruta do Janelão, in the Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park, north of Minas, between Januária and Itacarambi. Experts estimate that it was formed over 140,000 years.

5) Meaning of the word UAI

According to historians, the term UAI originated from the Inconfidência Mineira, so that insecure people could identify themselves and deceive the Portuguese police. It means union, love and independence.

I don’t know the story. Incidentally, today IAU is part of our dialect and can be used to express affirmation, denial or inquiry, depending only on the intonation of the phrase.

6) Information about the dialect from Minas Gerais

The so-called “Mineirês” is a dialect, I dare say it is the best accent in the world. This theme even deserves a dedicated article in the Mineirês Dictionary.

But I will tell you two anecdotes about Minas Gerais that will help you understand the slang that circulates in this Brazilian state.

“Fool” and “beast” are not harsh words here. Rather, they are affectionate. “You’re silly” and “You’re wild” mean you’re cute or funny. But always: as a compliment.

7) Minas Gerais tourists

Those who live in Minas take longer to get to the airport than to the destination city. Smaller cities don’t have airports, so we need to go to SP, BH or RJ.

 Those who live in BH also suffer, see? ! Those who want to get to know Belo Horizonte say that Confins Airport is not far away!

8) Famous phrase “Drop by the house”

When someone who lives in Minas Gerais says “Come by my house” he means for you to pay a visit, understand?

Mineiros are always waiting to welcome you with a cup of hot coffee, cheese bread and guava paste.

9) The famous Minas Cheese

Speaking of cheese, Minas cheese was named “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Brazil” by the National Historical Heritage Institute (IPHAN).

And the Minas cheese bread is undoubtedly the best in Brazil. Therefore, if you are visiting the state, be sure to try it, as it is a mandatory stop.

10) Minas Gerais Gastronomy

On July 5th, the state of Minas Gerais celebrates Gastronomy Day. The miners claim that the state’s food is the best in the world, and they are proud to say so.

There’s more, and it’s no use for us miners to eat cheese bread somewhere else, dulce de leche somewhere else, or pé de moleque somewhere else. For us, it’s like you’ve never eaten. You must eat what is made here! Then you’ll see what’s good! ❤️

These were the curiosities that we reserved in our post today. If you are thinking of touring this state, this is a great option. 

Enjoy and then tell us how your experience was in this region full of good things to know.