CAXIAS DO SUL

city, northeastern Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil, lying at 2,490 ft (760 m) above sea level on the range of hills separating the Antas and Ca river valleys. It was founded in 1875 by Italian colonists and given city status in 1910. Metallurgic industries and viticulture are the city's economic mainstays; the vineyards of the surrounding area are considered Brazil's best. The Universidade de Caxias do Sul (1967) is located there. Caxias do Sul is the terminus of a branch railway line from Prto Alegre, the state capital, to the south; it is also on a major highway running north to So Paulo. Pop. (1980 prelim.) 198,824.