Contagem

Contagem
Municipality of Contagem
Skyline of Contagem
Nickname: 
Contagem das Abóboras
Motto: 
Per Populum Omnis Potestas A Deo
Location in Minas Gerais
Contagem
Coordinates: 19°55′55″S 44°03′14″W / 19.93194°S 44.05389°W / -19.93194; -44.05389
Country Brazil
RegionSoutheast
State Minas Gerais
Founded1716
Government
  MayorMarília Campos (PT)
Area
  Total
194.586 km2 (75.130 sq mi)
Elevation
858 m (2,815 ft)
Population
 (2022)
  Total
621,863
  Density3,200/km2 (8,300/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−3 (BRT)
Postal Code
32000-000
Area code+55 31
HDI (2010)0.756 – high
Websitewww.contagem.mg.gov.br

Contagem (Portuguese pronunciation: [kõˈtaʒẽj]) is a city in the center of the state of Minas Gerais, in Brazil. It is only 21 kilometres (13 miles) from the capital, Belo Horizonte, and forms part of a metropolitan area with a population of 4.8 million.

Over time, the city's geographic boundaries were lost due to its horizontal growth towards the capital, causing intense conurbation with Belo Horizonte. Contagem is part of the Greater Belo Horizonte area and is one of the most important cities in this urban agglomeration, mainly due to its large industrial park. Its road system, designed to accommodate an intense flow of vehicles and cargo, is made up of the country's main highways, BR-381 (Fernão Dias - access to São Paulo), BR-262 (access to Vitória and Triângulo Mineiro) and BR-040 (access to Brasília and Rio de Janeiro).