Located 217 km far from the state capital of Belo Horizonte, it is served by highway and railroad connections (Vitória-Minas Railway).

Despite the steel complex's presence, Ipatinga has 127 m2 of green area per inhabitant, one of the highest averages in the country.

[5] It is the most important city of the Vale do Aço metropolitan area and it is the headquarters of one of the largest steel making complexes in Brazil, Usina Siderúrgica de Minas Gerais – Usiminas.

[7] Ipatinga Futebol Clube, the city's main football club won the state championship in 2005 and reached the Copa do Brasil semi-finals in 2006.

Ipatinga Futebol Clube holds its home at Estádio Municipal João Lamego Netto popularly known as Ipatingão.