city, east-central Minas Gerais estado (state), southern Brazil. It is located on the Velhas River, east of Belo Horizonte, the state capital, at an elevation of 2,313 feet (705 metres) above sea level. Made a seat of a municipality in 1711, it was elevated to city status in 1838. Cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and a gold-mining museum attest to Sabará's former eminence as a mining centre. Economic activities include iron mining and metallurgy. The city has a spinning and weaving factory and other industrial establishments. Pop. (2005 est.) 128,400.