BLUMENAU

city, eastern Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil, on the Rio Itaja, at 46 ft (14 m) above sea level. It was founded in 1852 by German colonists. The city's economy is based on the manufacture of textiles (especially towels) from cotton grown in the hinterland. The Universidade Regional de Blumenau (1968) is located in the city. Roads and air service link Blumenau with Florianpolis, the state capital. It can also be reached by riverboat, train, or automobile from Itaja, a port at the mouth of the Rio Itaja. Pop. (1980 prelim.) 144,819.