SANTA MARA

original name Marigalante Christopher Columbus' flagship on his first voyage to America. About 117 feet (36 metres) long, the Santa Mara had a deck, three masts, and forecastle and sterncastle and was armed with bombards that fired granite balls. She performed well in the voyage but ran aground off Haiti on Dec. 25, 1492, and was lost. Her sister ships, the Nia and Pinta, less than half her size, returned safely to Spain despite near catastrophe in storms. city, central Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil, lying in the Rio Jacu Valley at an elevation of 502 ft (153 m). Founded in 1797, it was given city status in 1876. The community was once called Santa Maria da Bca do Monte (St. Mary of the Mountain's Mouth) because of its position at the foot of the Serra Geral. The city is now a thriving commercial centre and a rail junction for the main lines from So Paulo to the Uruguay border and from the state capital, Prto Alegre, to the Argentine border. It is also served by an airfield and several major highways. Its industries include railroad shops and meat-processing plants. The Universidade Federal de Santa Maria was founded in 1960. Pop. (1980 prelim.) 151,202.