CURITIBA

city, capital of Paran state, southern Brazil. It lies about 3,050 feet (930 m) above sea level, near the Atlantic margin of the Brazilian Highlands and the headwaters of the Iguau River. It was founded in 1654 as a gold-mining camp, but the processing of mat (tea) and wood products brought long-term growth. In 1854 Curitiba became the state capital. From the early 19th century it received many German, Italian, and Polish settlers, and immigration continued during the 20th century with the arrival of Syrians and Japanese, as well as a massive influx of internal migrants from rural areas. Since 1940, Curitiba has had sustained economic and population growth. From the early 1970s the city underwent extensive rejuvenation, which included the creation of new lakes and flood-control systems, large parks, and other recreational facilities. It also introduced recycling programs, zoning regulations, and specialized busing services that made it a model of clean environmental urban planning. A modern commercial centre, the city's manufactures include motor vehicles, paper, furniture, textiles, automobiles, cement, and tobacco. Curitiba is also an important processing centre for mat (tea), beer, soft drinks, lumber, and cattle. Products are exported via the Atlantic ports of Antonina and Paranagu. The city is an episcopal see with a cathedral (1894) inspired by that of Barcelona; it is also the seat of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paran (1959) and the Federal University of Paran (1912; see ) and the site of a military air base. The Civic Centre, a monumental group of buildings, is dominated by the Palacio Iguau, the state government headquarters. Other interesting sites include the Paranaense Museum and an Egyptian-style temple beside Lake Bacacheri. Highways, railroads, and air routes link Curitiba with other major Brazilian cities. Pop. (1940) 140,656; (1960) 344,560; (1991 prelim.) 841,882; (1995 est.) metropolitan area 2,270,000.