Governador Valadares is a Brazilian municipality located in the countryside of Minas Gerais. Situated on the banks of the Doce River, it is positioned approximately 324 km from the state capital, Belo Horizonte. The city covers a total area of about 2,342 km², with an urbanized area spanning 58 km².
As of 2025, Governador Valadares has a population of 266,561 inhabitants, making it the ninth most populated city in Minas Gerais. It serves as a significant economic axis for the middle valley of the Doce River, exerting influence over the eastern and northeastern regions of the state as well as local authorities in the neighboring state of Espírito Santo.