PASSO FUNDO

city, northern Rio Grande do Sul estado (state), southern Brazil. The city lies near the headwaters of the Passo Fundo River at 2,326 feet (709 m) above sea level. It was founded in 1857 and given city status in 1890. Passo Fundo is a service centre for an agricultural and livestock-raising area. In addition to flour mills and plants processing meat and mat (tea), there is some lumbering and sawmilling. A hydroelectric plant serves the city. The University of Passo Fundo (1968) is located there. Passo Fundo lies 140 miles (225 km) northwest of Prto Alegre, the state capital, and is accessible by railway, road, and air. Pop. (1991 prelim.) mun., 147,215.