AMERICANA

formerly (18681938) Vila Americana, city, in the highlands of east-central So Paulo estado (state), Brazil. Americana lies near the Piracicaba River at 1,732 feet (528 m) above sea level. It was settled in 1868 by immigrants from the former Confederate States of America. The settlement was made a seat of a municipality in 1924. Agriculture is the main local source of income, and foodstuffs are processed in the city. Highways and railroads link Americana to So Paulo, the state capital, 68 miles (109 km) to the southeast. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 153,592.