ERECHIM

city, northern Rio Grande do Sul estado (state), Brazil. The city lies in the Uruguay River basin. It was founded in 1909 as Boa Vista do Erechim and was called Jos Bonifcio from 1939 to 1944. The hinterland of Erechim (meaning small field in the Tup-Guaran Indian language) yields grains (especially wheat), flax, and pigs; the city's industries include distilling and meat processing. Erechim is accessible by railroad, road, and air. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 61,509.