RIO BRANCO

city, capital of Acre estado (state), western Brazil. It lies on the west bank of the Acre River, and just north where the Branco River (Rio Branco) flows into the Acre. A commercial and distribution centre, Rio Branco exports rubber, metals, medicinal plants, Brazil nuts, and timber. Petroleum and alcohol fuels are processed there. The Federal University of Acre (1971) is located in Rio Branco. The city is linked by road and air routes with Braslia, the federal capital, and Manaus, which is also accessible by river transport. Pop. (1985 est.) 145,486.