José Rodrigues Moreira, a Portuguese man coming from Espírito Santo, marked the development of the city.

In that occasion, the people living there called the city São Joaquim da Serra Negra, due to the existence of a hill in the surroundings.

On 28 June 1850, a very influent Baron (Barão Silva) turned Alterosa to a municipality, after the building of a Parish.

Areado is in the south of Alterosa, Alfenas in the east; Carmo do Rio Claro in the northeast, Conceição da Aparecida in the north, Nova Resende in the west and Monte Belo in the southwest.

In general, Alterosa's activities include the production of milk, meat, coffee, corn, and most recently, potatoes.