PAULO AFONSO

city, northeastern Bahia estado (state), northeastern Brazil, on the So Francisco River, at the site of the Paulo Afonso Falls. Made the seat of a municipality in 1958, Paulo Afonso is the transportation and commercial centre for its agricultural hinterland. It is accessible by highway from Salvador, the state capital, about 310 miles (500 km) south, and from neighbouring communities in Bahia, Alagoas, and Pernambuco estados. The airport has flights to Recife and Salvador. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 74,326.