ALEGRETE

city, western Rio Grande do Sul estado (state), Brazil. It lies along the Ibirapuit River at 292 feet (89 m) above sea level. It was founded in 1817 and given city status in 1857. The municipio (municipality) of which Alegrete is the seat supports large cattle herds and substantial numbers of sheep. The city is a meat-processing centre. A railroad junction west of Prto Alegre, it can also be reached by highway and by air. Pop. (1980) 54,746.