Araxá

With a population of 111,691 as of 2022 Araxá is a colorful municipality tucked away in the Minas Gerais state in Western Brazil. Situated about 370 kilometers northwest of the state capital Belo Horizonte, this vibrant metropolis covers an amazing 1,283 square kilometres, with 3.45 square kilometres set aside as the urban boundary. Comprising eight municipalities and spanning an area of 9,493.902 square kilometers with a combined population of 176,736 as of 2017, Araxá forms the center point of the Immediate Geographic Region.

Araxá’s rich history begins in the second half of the 16th century when European explorers first came upon the aboriginal Araxás people. Lead by a warrior called Andaia-Aru, these aboriginal people had split from their original Cataguases tribe and resided in the area including the Rio Grande and the Serra da Canastra. The Araxás lived in relative peace about a century until the mid-17th century when European immigrants started to arrive drawn by the rich woods and plenty of natural springs.

Frequent disputes between the European colonists and the Araxás finally resulted in the sad eradication of the indigenous people. Under the colonial government, Araxá’s dark chapter started with a bandeira expedition headed by Campo Inácio Correia de Pamplona. Following this, the local administrative division of colonial Brazil at the time, the Captaincy of Minas Gerais, came to rule much of the area.

Modern Araxá started to take shape in 1770 when the first farmers settled in the region. The area was named a parish in 1791, “São Domingos de Araxá,” honoring Saint Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, as the colonies expanded. The community’s growth remained consistent; São Domingos de Araxá became a “vila,” or town, in 1831. Its local prosperity and rising significance were evident when it was declared a city on December 19, 1865, after more advancement. Officially accepted in 1868, the name “Araxá” confirmed the city’s identity that endures now.

Geographically, Araxá is bounded to the north and northwest from Perdizes, to the east from Ibiá, to the south from Tapira, and to the southwest from Sacramento. Variations in elevation define the terrain of the city; the city center is 973 meters above sea level. With an amazing 1,359 meters, Serra da Bocaina has the highest point in the municipality; the lowest point is near the Capivara river at 910 meters. With an annual average temperature of 20.98°C observed in 2004 and significant annual rainfall of 1,905 millimeters, Araxá has a typically pleasant climate.

Araxá’s popularity as a tourist destination increased dramatically in the 20th century, mostly because of the mineral salts found in the Barreiro Hydrothermal and Hotel Complex’s waters Originally constructed in the 1940s, this complex became pillar of the city’s economic growth and character. Araxá’s placement on the Canastra tourism circuit confirmed even more its reputation as a prominent location in the area.

Unquestionably, the Grande Hotel—one of Brazil’s most iconic hotels—is the crown gem of Araxá’s travel scene. Originally opened in 1944 by Governor Benedito Valadares and President Vargas, the Grande Hotel brought Araxá and the hinterland Minas Gerais a period of glory. Araxá’s status as a site of distinction was solidified when this architectural wonder soon became the scene for important social, political, and artistic events. The city’s well-known spa, which provides mineral waters and therapeutic mud treatments that have attracted health-conscious visitors for decades, adds even more allure to it to tourists. Araxá’s hospitality industry claimed 24 facilities with 2,708 beds as of 2004, therefore serving a varied spectrum of guests.

Araxá is culturally important beyond its opulent lodging and natural beauty. The city became well-known all around for hosting one of Brazil’s most watched soap operas, “Dona Beija.” This television show, based on the life of a renowned historical person from Araxá, introduced the city’s appeal to living rooms all throughout the nation, therefore augmenting its attraction as a tourist destination.

Although Araxá’s economy depends much on tourism, the city has a varied and strong business scene. Especially mining is cornerstone of the local economy. With deposits estimated at about 460 million tons, Araxá has a sizable niobium mine that would be enough to satisfy present worldwide demand for almost 500 years. Special steels and alloys used in jet engine components, rocket sub-assemblies, heat-resisting and combustion equipment are produced from this uncommon metal. Leading niobium mining industry in Araxá, the Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia and Mineração (CBMM) significantly increases industrial production of the city.

Apart from niobium, Araxá is also a significant producer of phosphate concentrate, an essential ingredient for fertilizer manufacture. Within the municipality, Vale Fertilizantes S.A. runs the biggest single superphosphate manufacturing plant in Brazil, therefore broadening the industrial base and economic contributions of the city.

Araxá’s remarkable GDP, which came in at 1.439 billion Brazilian reais in 2005, reflects its economic might. The city’s balanced economic structure was highlighted by practically equal generation of this economic output across the industrial and service sectors. Employment numbers from 2005 reveal the workforce’s allocation among many sectors: 2,865 workers in manufacturing, 1,498 in construction, 7,636 in commerce, 1,296 in restaurants and hotels, and 2,691 in public administration.

With 405 rural estates covering 68,000 hectares, Araxá’s economy heavily relies on agriculture as well. Employing around 1,500 people, the agriculture industry is marked by varied output. With around 65,000 head of cattle mostly used for dairy production, livestock farming is especially noteworthy. In 2004, the daily milk output of the town was about 500,000 liters. Moreover significantly increasing the agricultural production are poultry and swine husbandry.

Araxá’s crop farming emphasizes soybeans, corn, and coffee, thereby diversifying the agricultural industry. With 22 cachaça producers in the municipality as of 2004, the local economy is notable in that it produces a classic Brazilian rum. Apart from boosting the local economy, this specialty sector helps to protect a significant component of Brazilian cultural legacy.