Virgem da Lapa

Virgem da Lapa is located just on the left bank (north) of the Jequitinhonha River at an elevation of 385 meters (center of the town).

Neighboring municipalities are: Rubelita - Coronel Murta - Araçuaí - Berilo - José Gonçalves de Minas - Josenópolis.

[2][3] The economy is based on cattle raising, services, and subsistence agriculture, with the main crops being rice, beans, manioc, sugarcane, and corn.

[4] Virgem da Lapa is ranked low on the MHDI and was one of the poorest municipalities in the state and in the country in 2000.

The above figures can be compared with those of Poços de Caldas, which had an MHDI of .841, the highest in the state of Minas Gerais.