CAXIAS

city, east central Maranho state, northeastern Brazil, on the Rio Itapicuru, at 207 ft (63 m) above sea level. Formerly known as So Jos das Aldeias Altas, it was renamed to honour Luis Alves de Lima e Silva, duque de Caxias, governor and military commander in Maranho (1837). The city is the commercial centre of eastern Maranho and processes rice, cotton, carnauba and babassu palms (for oil), cashews, and almonds that are grown in the region. The seat of a bishopric, Caxias is accessible by railroad, highway, and air from So Lus, the state capital (171 mi northwest), and neighbouring communities, including Teresina (40 mi southeast), capital of Piau state. Pop. (1980 prelim.) 56,755.