city, southwestern Minas Gerais estado (state), Brazil. Passos lies along the Bocaina River near the Rio Grande, at 2,388 feet (728 m) above sea level. It was made a seat of a municipality in 1848 and became a city 10 years later. Rice, corn (maize), sugarcane, cotton, coffee, and livestock are processed in the city and transported by rail and road to Belo Horizonte, capital of the state, 183 miles (295 km) east-northeast. Passos is served by an airport. Pop. (2005 est.) 97,200.