The language is Portuguese, and the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. Living conditions in general are higher in the urban areas, and health services are more accessible in the cities. Minas Gerais has been one of the leading states in providing for education.

Clube Atltico Mineiro (Portuguese pronunciation: [klubi Ptl[tiku mine(j)~u]), commonly known as Atltico, Atltico Mineiro, Mineiro and colloquially as Galo ( pronounced [galu], "Rooster"), is the biggest and oldest professional football club of Belo Horizonte, the capital city of the Brazilian state of Minas ...

The Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras (Brazilian Portuguese: [sosjedadi ispotivP pawmej~Ps]), commonly known as Palmeiras, is a Brazilian professional football club based in the city of So Paulo, in the district of Perdizes.