Introduction
Municipality in Southeast Brazil This article is about Congonhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. For Congonhas–São Paulo Airport, see São Paulo–Congonhas Airport. For Congonhas do Norte, Minas Gerais (South of Belo Horizonte), see Congonhas do Norte. Municipality in Southeast, BrazilCongonhasMunicipalityMunicipality of Congonhas FlagCoat of armsNickname: "Cidade dos Profetas"Country BrazilRegionSoutheastState Minas GeraisFounded17 December 1938Government • MayorCláudio Antônio de Souza (MDB)Area • Total304.064 km2 (117.400 sq mi)Elevation871 m (2,858 ft)Population (2021) • Total55,836 • Density159.57/km2 (413.3/sq mi)DemonymcongonhenseTime zoneUTC−3 (BRT)Postal Code36415-000 to 36419-999HDI (2010)0.753 – highWebsitewww.congonhas.mg.gov.br Congonhas (Congonhas do Campo until 1948) is a historical Brazilian city located in the state of Minas Gerais. It is situated 90 kilometres (56 mi) south from Belo Horizonte, the capital of state of Minas Gerais, by the highway BR-040. As of 2020, the city had a population of 55,309. Located in a region rich in iron ore, it is surrounded by several mining dams. Two of them overflowed in January 2026. It is a well preserved historic city and retains the characteristics of a baroque city, with its churches, buildings and museums. Other historical cities in Minas Gerais are Ouro Preto, São João del-Rei, Diamantina, Mariana, Tiradentes and Sabará.