CANASTRA MOUNTAINS

Portuguese Serra Da Canastra, mountain range on the Planalto Central (Brazilian Highlands) in western Minas Gerais estado (state), southeastern Brazil. Extending 150 miles (240 km) from the Goas state border in the north to the upper Grande River in the south, the Canastra Mountains rise to an average elevation of 6,000 feet (1,800 m) and form the eastern border of the Tringulo Mineiro, a grassland region between the Paranaba River and the Grande River. The mountains are the source of the So Francisco River and contain significant deposits of calcium, lead, iron, thorium, zinc, and diamonds. A federal highway extends from Braslia along the eastern slopes of the Canastra Mountains to Belo Horizonte, and a second, newer highway traverses the mountains eastwest, connecting Uberaba in the west with Montes Claros.