Vale do Aço metropolitan area
The Vale do Aço metropolitan area (Região Metropolitana do Vale do Aço, in Portuguese) is a metropolitan area in Minas Gerais, Brazil, comprising only the four municipalities of Coronel Fabriciano, Ipatinga, Santana do Paraíso and Timóteo, but have an influence area of 24 other municipalities.
The region has become internationally known due to large companies that are in the region, such as the Cenibra, Aperam South America (old Acesita) and Usiminas, all with an increasing volume of exported products.
Cities
Major
| City | Area (km ²) | Population (2009) | PIB (2005) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ipatinga | 166 | 244.508 | 4.422.997.000 |
| Timóteo | 145 | 79.813 | 1.842.089.000 |
| Coronel Fabriciano | 221 | 105.037 | 451.426.000 |
| Santana do Paraíso | 276 | 24.695 | 108.346.000 |
| Total | 808 | 449.340 | 6.824.858.000 |
Other cities
|
|
Vale Do Aço Metropolitan Area Media
The Ponte Queimada, between Pingo-d'Água and Marliéria, lies along a section of the old Estrada do Degredo, carved through virgin forest between the 18th and 19th centuries.
Ruins of the Estação Pedra Mole (1922) in Ipatinga, after the restoration of the structure. This was the first railway station in Vale do Aço.
Aerial view of Ipatinga, where the undulating topography can be observed.
The confluence of the Piracicaba River (right) with the Doce River (left), viewed from the Pedra Mole Station lookout.
A rainbow over the Piracicaba River between Coronel Fabriciano and Timóteo.
The Cidade Nova neighborhood in Santana do Paraíso, which is in conurbation with Ipatinga.
Housing in Morro Padre Rocha, one of the slums of Coronel Fabriciano.
The Sinergia Monument, installed in Timóteo in 1997, symbolizes the municipal administrations of the three main cities of the Vale do Aço.
Usiminas factory in Ipatinga, seen from Cidade Nova
