city, southeastern Minas Gerais estado (state), southern Brazil. It lies in the highlands at 3,054 feet (931 metres) above sea level. Formerly known as Lueluz, the settlement was made the seat of a municipality in 1790 and given city status in 1886. Agriculture (cassava 【manioc】, potatoes, corn 【maize】, feijão 【beans】) and livestock raising are important economic activities. Also important are the rebuilding of locomotives and the construction of railroad cars. Mining, particularly the extraction of manganese and iron, has developed in the area. The city has a television station. Conselheiro Lafaiete is accessible by railroad, highway, and air from Belo Horizonte, the state capital (86 miles 【139 km】 north), and from Rio de Janeiro. Pop. (2005 est.) 107,900.