SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS

city, southeastern So Paulo estado (state), Brazil. It lies along the Paraba do Sul River at 2,110 feet (643 m) above sea level. Known successively as Vila Nova de So Jos, Vila de So Jos do Sul, and Vila de So Jos do Paraba, the colonial settlement developed around a Jesuit mission. It attained town status in 1767 and was made the seat of a municipality in 1854. The city is now the service centre for an agricultural region that produces rice, sugarcane, feijo (beans), corn (maize), milk, and fruits. Its manufactures include ceramics, diesel engines, tires, cardboard, soaps, wine, and rayon. Situated on the So PauloRio de Janeiro axis, 50 miles (80 km) northeast of So Paulo city, So Jos dos Campos is easily accessible by rail, highway, or air. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 385,879.