BRUSQUE

city, eastern Santa Catarina estado (state), southern Brazil. It lies in the Itaja-Mirim River valley and is located about 16 miles (25 km) southwest of the port of Itaja and about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of Florianpolis, the state capital. Founded in 1860 by German immigrants, it is now an agricultural market centre with some light industry. Both cotton and silk are produced in the area, and the manufacture of textiles, including towels, is important. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 53,438.