SAO JOAO DEL REI

city, south-central Minas Gerais estado (state), Brazil. It lies along the Lenheiro River on a site sandwiched between two hills, at 2,822 feet (860 m) above sea level. Originally a gold-mining town, it was given city status in 1838. The city retains a colonial atmosphere and has two notable 18th-century Baroque churches, the Carmo and the Church of So Francisco de Assis, with sculptures by the Brazilian master Antnio Francisco Lisboa (called Aleijadinho). There are also some fine colonial mansions and two stone bridges spanning the Lenheiro. So Joo del Rei's economy is still based on mining, supplemented by tourism and by textile and other manufacturing plants. The surrounding area produces livestock, poultry, corn (maize), feijo (beans), and fruits. The city lies at the crossing of several roads running from the coast to the hinterland. Goods are shipped by rail to Belo Horizonte, the state capital, 122 miles (197 km) north, and to neighbouring communities. The city has several museums. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 63,680.