“ The surface of Minas Geraes is broken by mountain ranges and deeply eroded river courses, the latter forming fertile valleys shut in by partly barren uplands, or campos. The reckless destruction of forests along the watercourses also adds to the barren aspect of the country. ”

“ Wheat has been produced in some localities, but not on a paying basis, and experiments have also been made with tea. There is a large variety of fruits, and the cultivation of grapes for wine-making is developing into a profitable industry. Railway communication with Minas Geraes includes the following lines: the Central do Brazil (formerly known as the Dom Pedro II.) , which starts from Rio de Janeiro and penetrates nearly to Pirapora (its objective point) , at the head of navigation of the São Francisco River, with branches into neighbouring districts ”

“ There is much malaria in the wooded districts of the east and on the higher campos, where the daily extremes of temperature are great, lung and bronchial diseases are common. Some of the high plains, however, as at Barbacena, serve as health resorts for the coast districts.
Minas Geraes is a mining state, though the mining industry has lost much of its importance through the decline in the output of gold and diamonds. Gold is widely diffused, and abandoned “washings” all over the state show how general the industry was at one time. ”

“ The principal mountain ranges are the. Serra da Mantiqueira on its southern frontier and its N. extension, the S. do Espinhaço, which runs parallel to the Serra do Mar, or coast-range, and separates the inland or campo region from a lower forested zone between the two ranges. ”