PATOS

city, west-central Paraba estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It lies along the Espinharas River at 804 feet (245 m) above sea level. Given city rank in 1903, Patos is a commercial centre for an agricultural hinterland yielding principally cotton and feijo (beans). The city's varied industries include shoe factories, cotton-textile mills, granaries, and vegetable-oil factories. Goods are transported by rail and road to Joo Pessoa (the state capital) to the east, to Recife, and to other communities in Paraba and neighbouring states. Pop. (1991 prelim.) mun., 81,292.