CACHOEIRA DO SUL

city and river port, central Rio Grande do Sul estado (state), southern Brazil. It lies along the Jacu River at 200 feet (60 m) above sea level. Founded in 1819 as So Joo de Cachoeira and given city status in 1859, Cachoeira do Sul is the centre of one of Brazil's major rice-growing areas. Rice, wool, wheat, and fruits are processed and shipped from the city, which is about 103 miles (165 km) west of Prto Alegre, the state capital; the city can be reached by rail, road, and air. Pop. (1991 prelim.) mun., 89,058.