São Lourenço, Minas Gerais

São Lourenço on the map of Minas Gerais

São Lourenço is a town and thermal bath at the Rio Verde in the south of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais and belongs to region " Circuito das Águas " ( German as: " Thermenstraße "). The village has a population of 41 143 inhabitants (estimated 2006), an area of 57 km ², making it one of the smallest municipalities of Brazil.

History

The first white man who entered the area around São Lourenço, was the Bandeirante Lourenço Castanho Tacques, after whom this place was named. He also found the mineral and thermal water source in the nearby Serra de Mantiqueira. The industrial promotion of the water was approved on June 4, 1890, since the mineral water of the source of São Lorenço is far beyond the borders of Minas Gerais known. City and county São Lourenço received its present name in 1927.

Climate

The City (town hall) is located at an altitude of 875 m above sea level, in the area of ​​mild altitude tropical climate. The mean annual temperature is 18 ° C (in summer at 22 ° C). In winter, the temperature sometimes falls to 0 ° C. The resulting rime is a for Brazil exceptional and well-known curiosity. With heavy rains have occasional major floods in the park and up into lower-lying parts of the city center. The last occurred in January 2000, when the water rose by 4.5 m and the whole center flooded. After the expiration of the water, it was found that capybaras ( capybaras ) have settled on the island in the lake of the great parks that have become a popular tourist attraction.

Tourism

As one of the most important mineral baths Brazil São Lourenço attracts many visitors, mainly from the cities of Belo Horizonte, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The beautiful location and the mineral springs make tourism the main source of income of the city. Especially on the weekends bring many visitors to the city buses.

The springs

In the extensive parks ( 370,000 m² ) is an artificial lake ( 90,000 m²) with boat rentals and the following eight mineral springs:

• The Eastern source ( Fonte Oriente ) delivers flour and carbonated water, which is prescribed for indigestion. The water of this source also provides the nationally marketed by Nestlé Waters mineral water " São Lorenço " and sparkling.

• The source Andrade Figuera also supplies flour and carbonated water

• The source Vichy carbonated and ferruginous water in the same composition as the waters of a spring in the French Vichy.

• The spring source ( Fonte Primavera ) also carbonated and ferruginous water. This source was taken over in 1998 by Nestlé Waters, which then promoted there water for their brand " Pure Life ". In defiance of various laws, however, Nestlé was pumping so much water out of the ground that there were serious consequences for the environment: The water table of the water park has subsided, another source close to being completely dried, source building of the water parks have become cracked and the water various other sources has changed in taste.

• The alkaline source ( Fonte Alcalina ) also carbonated and ferruginous water.

• The source Sotto Mayor Jaime carbonated, ferruginous and sulphurous water.

• The source José Carlos de Andrade carbonated and litiumhaltigem water.

• The New spring source ( Fonte Nova Primavera )

Additional points of interest

• The train station, which every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday leaves the steam train " Maria Fumaça " ( Fuming Maria ) to Soledade de Minas.
• The pedestrian zone " Calçadão " with many restaurant and shops.
• The Craft Market " Aldeia Vila Verde ".
• The scenic mountain " Mirante ", which can be reached by chairlift.
• Some interesting churches and chapels.