Contagem is a city in the state of Minas Gerais, in Brazil. Population (2000): 536,408,Area: 195,2 km² ,Altitude: 902 meters

Coats of arms

The blue field recalls Portuguese tradition, the emblem of Vasco Fernandes Coutinho , to whose captaincy Contagem belonged. The name Contagem comes from the contagens tax, created by King Dom João V. The periphery of the emblem represents the proximity of the 20th parallel; all the cities, countries, and states that are close to this parallel use this format. The 20th parallel crosses Barreiro, a municipal district of Belo Horizonte. The three gold cruzado coins represent Portuguese origin. The chimney represents industrial wealth and is characteristic of the local industry. The jabuticabeira tree represents the agricultural and pastoral wealth, the fruits of the soil and also the main tourist attraction of Contagem. In chief is a purple strip with seven stars. The stars' color represents the right to celebrate the feast of the Seven Sorrows [of the Virgin Mary], a special privilege given by Pope Pius VII to Contagem, one of the two cities in Brazil authorized to do so. The seven stars represent Our Lady's Seven Sorrows. On a golden scroll is the Latin motto Per populum omnis potestas a Deo, which is translated All power comes from God for the people.