PETRPOLIS

city, north of the city of Rio de Janeiro, in Rio de Janeiro estado ("state"), Brazil. It is situated in a valley at 2,667 feet (813 m) above sea level, in the rgos Mountains. The city was founded in 1845 by Bavarian immigrants under the sponsorship of Dom Pedro II, the Brazilian emperor for whom it was named. The emperor was attracted by the site's relatively cool climate and held court there during the warmer months. His possessions, along with those of Dom Pedro I and Joo VI of Portugal, remain in the ornate royal palace, now the Museum of the Empire. Petrpolis served as the state capital from 1894 until 1903. A treaty with Bolivia was signed there in 1903 for an exchange of lands and a Brazilian commitment to construct the Madeira-Mamor Railway. The city has diversified industries and is the seat of the Catholic University of Petrpolis (1961). Pop. (1980) 150,249.