South American Political Geography

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names Further reading

Ouro Prêto

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Ouro Prêto [Port.,=black gold], city (1996 pop. 61,606), Minas Gerais state, E Brazil. Founded as Vila Rica in the gold rush near the end of the 17th cent., it became a prosperous 18th-century mining town, a cultural center, and the chief seat of the abortive move for independence led by Tiradentes . The city declined as the mines lost importance but remained the capital of Minas until 1897, when it was superseded by Belo Horizonte. Since 1933 the city has been a national historic site, preserving the 18th-century atmosphere of narrow, twisting, cobbled streets, the colonial mint and treasury, the old houses, the theater (oldest in South America), the governor's mansion, and the old churches, most notably the Church of São Francisco, decorated with the magnificent carvings of Aleijadinho. A mining school (est. 1875) is in Ouro Prêto, and mining (now for aluminum) remains important to the city's economy.

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Ouro Preto

Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names | 2005 | | Copyright

Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais/Brazil Vila Rica de Albuquerque, A Cidade Imperial de Ouro Preto A river and a city founded as a gold and silver mining settlement in 1698. It was given the name ‘Rich Town’ when it became a city in 1711. In 1823 it was renamed the ‘Imperial City of Black Gold’ after the declaration in 1822 of Brazilian independence by Peter I (Dom Pedro) (1798–1834), who became Emperor of Brazil that same year and, as Peter IV, King of Portugal (1826–34). The shortened name means ‘Black Gold’ from the Portuguese ouro ‘gold’ and preto ‘black’ because the gold here was discoloured by a black layer of iron oxide.

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JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Ouro Preto." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Ouro Preto." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-OuroPreto.html

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Ouro Preto." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-OuroPreto.html

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