Chapada do Norte

Chapada do Norte is a Brazilian municipality in the northeast of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. As of 2020, the population was 15,345 in a total area of 828 km2 (320 sq mi). The elevation of the town center is 751 meters. It is part of the IBGE statistical meso-region of Jequitinhonha and the micro-region of Capelinha. It became a municipality in 1963. The economy is based on charcoal production, cattle raising and subsistence agriculture, with the main crops being beans, manioc, sugarcane, and corn. There are extensive plantations of eucalyptus trees for charcoal production. In 2005 there were 2150 rural producers but only 4 tractors. As of 2005 there were 7 public health clinics. Educational needs were met by 33 primary schools and 4 middle schools. There were 185 automobiles in 2006, giving a ratio of 83 inhabitants per automobile (there were 461 motorcycles). There was one bank in 2007. Neighboring municipalities are: Turmalina, Veredinha, Itamarandiba, Diamantina, Senador Modestino Gonçalves, and Bocaiúva. The distance to Belo Horizonte is 421 km. The nearest major population center, Itamarandiba, is 46 km on secondary roads. Highway access from the capital is made by Curvelo and Diamantina, via BR-040, BR-135, BR-259 and BR-367; from João Monlevade, Guanhães, São João Evangelista, Coluna, and Itamarandiba, via BR-381, MG-129, BR-120 and BR-451.