Definition
São José da Barra is a municipality located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Overview
São José da Barra is a small municipality situated in the southwestern region of Minas Gerais, within the Southeast Region of Brazil. It is part of the statistical microregion of São João del-Rei and lies near the border with the state of São Paulo. The municipality is relatively small in both area and population. Its economy is primarily based on agriculture, cattle ranching, and limited industrial activities. As with many municipalities in Minas Gerais, São José da Barra has a historical connection to mining, although large-scale mining operations may not currently dominate its economic profile.
Etymology/Origin
The name "São José da Barra" translates from Portuguese to "Saint Joseph of the Bar," with "barra" commonly referring to a geographical feature such as a riverbank, sandbar, or the confluence of rivers. The inclusion of "São José" (Saint Joseph) reflects the common practice in Brazil of naming towns after Catholic saints, often linked to the name of the local church or the date of the area's founding or elevation to municipality status.
Characteristics
- Administrative Division: Municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Region: Southeast Brazil
- State: Minas Gerais
- Population: According to the 2020 estimate by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the population was approximately 6,000–7,000 inhabitants (accurate figures should be verified with IBGE).
- Area: Approximately 531 square kilometers (exact figure may vary slightly by source)
- Elevation: Around 720 meters above sea level
- Climate: Tropical savanna climate (Köppen classification Aw), with a defined dry season in the winter months
- Economic Activities: Agriculture (including coffee and subsistence crops), livestock farming, and small-scale commerce
Related Topics
- Geography of Minas Gerais
- Municipalities of Brazil
- Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE)
- Southeast Region of Brazil
- River Grande basin (the municipality lies near this major river, which forms part of the border between Minas Gerais and São Paulo)
The municipality is served by regional transportation routes and maintains basic infrastructure consistent with small rural towns in Brazil.