Port and city (pop., 2002: city, 1,342,900; metro. area, 3,765,500), southern Brazil.
Located along the Guaíba River near the Atlantic Ocean coast, it was founded с 1742 by immigrants from the Azores . It was first known as Pôrto dos Casais. It received many German and Italian settlers in the 19th century. It is a centre of inland navigation and is the most important Brazilian commercial city south of São Paulo ; exports include rice, tobacco, and hides. Industries include shipbuilding and the manufacture of textiles, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. It is also an educational centre.