CAMPINAS

city, eastern So Paulo state, Brazil, in the highlands near the Rio Atibaia at 2,274 ft (693 m) above sea level. Formerly known as Nossa Senhora da Conceio de Campinas de Mato Grosso and as So Carlos, it was given town status and was made the seat of a municipality in 1797. In the 19th century Campinas was the state's leading commercial centre. Although later surpassed by So Paulo and Santos, it is still significant as a clearing point for coffee, citrus, cocoa, and sugarcane from the hinterland. The state agronomical institute and large experimental plantations and other agricultural research institutions are located there. Industries in Campinas include foundries, textile mills, lock and key factories, and packing and processing plants; agricultural equipment and motorcycles are also manufactured. The Pontifcia Universidade Catlica de Campinas was founded in 1941 and the Universidade Estadual de Campinas in 1962. Antnio Carlos Gomez, composer of operas, was born in Campinas. Several museums, theatres, and art galleries are located there, and the city has a symphony orchestra. Railroads and highways converge upon the city, which lies on the main So PauloBraslia highway, 55 mi (90 km) northwest of So Paulo city. Campinas also has an international airport. The picturesque Salto (falls) d'It are 5 mi north. Pop. (1980 prelim.) 566,517.