JUIZ DE FORA

city, southeastern Minas Gerais estado (state), Brazil. It is situated in the deep Paraibuna River valley between the Orgos and Mantiqueira ranges. Formerly known as Paraibuna, Juiz de Fora is the centre of a highly developed agricultural region producing rice, bananas, sugarcane, coffee, and other crops and livestock. It is a large manufacturing centre and is known especially for its textiles and plastics. The Mariano Procopio museum and the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (1960) are located there. Juiz de Fora has a commercial airport and is on the main highway and railroad between Rio de Janeiro (80 miles south) and Belo Horizonte, the state capital. Pop. (1980) 299,432.