There are many environmental factors that affect how Mineiros (people from Minas Gerais) live their daily lives. The most important factors are the hilly terrain, the lack of access to a coast and the large number of rural towns in the state.
This environment is special because it has a lot of farms and hilly terrains. Many of my students come from farms and love growing up with cows, horses and chickens. This is quite different from big city life in Brazil.
The climate is cooler in Minas Gerais because it is farther away from the equator. In the north of Brazil, it can get as hot as 105 degrees Fahrenheit! During the summers, it can be easier to live in the southern parts of Brazil because of the more moderate climate.