The NT'07 Conference Venue is Ouro Preto City, situated in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Ouro Preto City

Ouro Preto, located 90 km from Belo Horizonte (capital of the Minas Gerais State), is the cradle of the first Brazilian Mining School and a UNESCO Cultural Historic Patrimony of Mankind. With a 300 year old history, this city counts among the most important tourist attractions in Brazil, where history and mining are intimately intertwined. With its churches and houses of the Brazilian Colonial Period, the baroque collections, the magnificent sculptures by Aleijadinho, and its museums, Ouro Preto tells a history of wealth, mining, smuggling and riots. This cultural scenery is central to an important period of Brazilian history.

HOW TO REACH OURO PRETO

Ouro Preto can be reached by bus from Belo Horizonte International Airport (CNF - Tancredo Neves International Airport, Confins), which has frequent connections to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Transport from and to the CNF airport will be provided by the conference, under request (see link TRANSPORT AIRPORT-OURO PRETO).

If you do not use the transportation provided by the conference, you still have two possibilities: You can take a taxi from the CNF airport to Ouro Preto (about 280,00 R$). You can also take a bus from the CNF airport to the Belo Horizonte's Central Bus Station ("Rodoviária de Belo Horizonte"), and from the bus station you take another bus to Ouro Preto. The buses leave about once an hour. However, be aware that it will be difficult to find an English speaker for information outside the airport.

- In most cases, international flights go first to São Paulo (GUARULHOS AIRPORT - GRU) or to Rio de Janeiro (GALEÃO AIRPORT - GIG). In case you have problems to find domestic flights from São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro to Belo Horizonte (CONFINS AIRPORT - CNF), please contact our travel agency Pampulha Operadora Turística Ltda, or look at GOL (www.voegol.com.br) and TAM (www.tam.com.br). You may have to contact Pampulha Operadora Turística Ltda. to buy the tickets, because the companies usually have restrictions to foreign credit cards. Be aware there are two airports in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. Ask Pampulha Operadora Turística Ltda. for advice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visa Requirements: Brazil has reciprocity agreements with many countries and, as a result, visitors from some foreign countries need a Visa. It is recommended to contact the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in your city, at least 45 days prior to your travel, to obtain all necessary information. The Executive Secretariat, upon request, may provide an official invitation. Requirements for a tourist visa include a valid passport for at least six months from the date of arrival, one passport size photograph and a round trip ticket. Most international airlines can advise on visa requirements.

You can also find the information you need at http://www.consulatebrazil.org/visas.htm

Health and Insurance
The registration fees do not cover the insurance regarding accidents, sickness, or loss of personal properties. We suggest to each participant to buy your travel and health insurances before you start for Brazil.

Phone and fax in Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais: To reach Ouro Preto from other Brazilian cities, dial: 31 or 21 followed by 31 and the phone or fax number. To reach from outside Brazil, dial (55 31).

Weather: The weather in Ouro Preto in June is cold, with temperatures ranging between 12°C and 20°C during the day and between 8°C and 14°C during the night.

Local Currency: The Brazilian monetary unit is the Real (R$), divided into 100 cents (Centavos).

Foreign Exchange: The exchange rate available to visitors is published daily in the newspaper along with the commercial American dollar rate of the day used in official international business transactions. Cash and traveler checks, especially US Dollars, can be exchanged at most banks or exchange houses as well as at the major hotels and jewelry stores. All major credit cards are accepted. In September 2006, 1 USD = R$ 2,20. Subject to changes. Visit the website http://www.xe.com/ucc for information on the exchange rate for your own country.

Time: Ouro Preto time is GMT less 3 hours.

Electricity: The voltage in Ouro Preto is 127 V, and the frequency is 60 Hz.

Average altitude: 1.116m. The highest point is the Itacolomi Peak, with 1.722m.

Main Distances
Distance from Belo Horizonte – 90 km
Distance from Belo Horizonte International Airport (CNF) – 145 Km
Distance from São Paulo – 745 Km
Distance from Rio de Janeiro – 417 Km

Attention: Ouro Preto is an hilled town that preserves its ancient stone paved streets, which, in turn, can be very slippery. Walking shoes are recommended.

Photos: Alex Mota    .

Convention Center

Parque Metalúrgico - Centro de Artes e Convenções

The Metallurgic Park – Center of Arts and Conventions of the Ouro Preto Federal University (UFOP), is one of the most appropriate areas in Ouro Preto to medium and large sized events.
Built in the year 2000, since then the Convention Center receives between 80 and 120 events per year, among congresses, symposiums, workshops, artistic presentations and exhibitions.
The Convention Center is located in the historic center of Ouro Preto, next to the historical train station and to the office of the rector of UFOP.
Further information you may find at: www.parquemetalurgico.com.br

Convention Center address:
328, Rua Diogo de Vasconcelos, Bairro Pilar
35400-000 Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
Telephone: +55-31-3559-3130