Salinas is a municipality in the northeast of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The city is known nationally for the cachaça production.

Important facts

The elevation is 471 meters. It became a municipality in 1880. The postal code (CEP) is 39560–000. Population density was around 18 inhabitants/km2. Neighboring municipalities

Climate

Salinas has a semi-arid climate with high temperatures almost all year round. There is a period of severe drought and another with torrential and sporadic rains. The average summer temperature high is 33 °C and the average winter high is 18 °C. The maximum temperature of 41.8 °C (107.2 °F) was recorded on November 18 and 24, 2023 in Salinas.

Economy

The main economic activities are cattle raising (46,000 head in 2006), small industries and agriculture. The main crops are bananas, citrus fruits, mangoes, beans, sugarcane, and corn. The local rum (cachaça) is well known. In the rural area there were 2,084 producers on 111,541 ha. Natural pasture made up 62,000 ha, woodland 35,000 ha. and planted area 7,500 ha. Around 6,000 persons worked in agriculture. In the urban area there were 4 banking agencies in 2006. The GDP in 2005 was R$157,547.

IBGE statistical microregion

Salinas is also a statistical microregion (53) consisting of 17 municipalities: Águas Vermelhas, Berizal, Curral de Dentro, Divisa Alegre, Fruta de Leite, Indaiabira, Montezuma, Ninheira, Novorizonte, Rio Pardo de Minas, Rubelita, Salinas, Santa Cruz de Salinas, Santo Antônio do Retiro, São João do Paraíso, Taiobeiras, Vargem Grande do Rio Pardo. The population of this region was 180,136 in 2000 and the area is 17,883.30 km2.

Health and education

This municipality is isolated from major population centers and suffers from drought and poor soils. (''For the complete list see: )

Transportation

Salinas is located on highway BR-251. The distance to Montes Claros is 210 km. The distance to the Rio-Bahia BR-116 is 108 km. Salinas is served by Salinas Airport.