ITABUNA

city, southeastern Bahia estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It lies just west of Ilhus on the Cachoeira River at 174 feet (53 m) above sea level. Itabuna, which was elevated to city status in 1910, is the trade centre for a rich zone yielding cacao, livestock, and other agricultural products. It was used as a setting by Jorge Amado in his novels dealing with the cacao culture. A chemical factory is located there. Goods are transported to Salvador, the state capital (150 miles north-northeast), and to other urban centres in Bahia by highway, air, and ocean (via Ilhus). Pop. (1991 prelim.) 170,434.