Almenara , is a municipality in the northeast of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Situated on the Jequitinhonha River it is the largest city in that river valley. Its 2007 population was estimated at 36,907 and the municipal area was 2,301 km². It was founded on 13 January 1938. In 1981 the city was made the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Almenara. The river beach of Almenara was once considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Today, with mining in the tributaries of the Jequitinhonha its waters are polluted with mercury and oil. Its clean sands have become dark and dirty.