Estrela do Sul

Neighboring municipalities are: Grupiara and Cascalho Rico (N); Araguari (E); Indianópolis and Nova Ponte (S); Iraí and Monte Carmelo (W).

[2] [3][4] Settled in 1772 by the bandeirante João Leite da Silva Ortiz, on one of his expeditions into Goiás, Estrela do Sul, is considered one of the most preserved historical cities in Minas Gerais.

Here was found one of the largest diamonds in the world, the Estrela do Sul; here is buried Dona Beija, the famous lady of Imperial Brazil.

The city became known after 1984 when the Rosa brothers, a teacher, a film-maker, and a journalist, brought it into the national limelight as a historical site.

Estrela do Sul is in the middle tier of municipalities in the state with regard to economic and social development.

[6] The highest ranking municipality in Minas Gerais in 2000 was Poços de Caldas with 0.841, while the lowest was Setubinha with 0.568.