Belo Horizonte is the beautiful capital (1897) of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais {see planet  (10769)}. It was the first of Brazil’s planned cities, since the old capital at Ouro Prêto {see planet  (10771)} could not accommodate the necessary expansions. Belo was modeled after Washington, D.C., and La Plata in Argentina {see, respectively, planets  (1029) and  (469)}. (M 39656) _ _.