FRANCA

city, in the highlands of northeastern So Paulo estado (state), Brazil. It lies at 3,314 feet (1,010 m) above sea level. Known variously as Vila Franca del Rei and Vila Franca do Imperador, it was given town status in 1824 and was made the seat of a municipality in 1856. The city has one of the largest sugar refineries in Brazil; coffee, rice, corn (maize), cotton, and feijo (beans) are also grown locally. Industries in the city manufacture furniture, shoes, vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other products. Goods travel by rail and road to So Paulo city, 236 miles (380 km) south, and to other centres in So Paulo and neighbouring Minas Gerais states. Franca also has an airfield. Pop. (1980) 144,117.