BENTO GONALVES

city, northeastern Rio Grande do Sul estado (state), southern Brazil. Situated in the hills overlooking the Jaguari River valley, Bento Gonalves is a commercial centre in a fertile agricultural region settled by Italians in the late 19th century. Viticulture is the primary economic activity. The city is a railroad junction on the Prto AlegreCuritiba line. It is also accessible by highway. Pop. (1991 prelim.) city, 63,594; mun., 78,680.