Pôrto Alegre << PAWR too ah LEH grih >> is the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. The municipality of Pôrto Alegre has a population of 1,409,351. A municipality may include rural areas as well as the urban center. Pôrto Alegre lies along the Guaíba River, at the head of the Patos Lagoon—an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. Its name means Joyous Port.
Pôrto Alegre is a major industrial and commercial center. A modern city, it has many skyscrapers. Its port can serve oceangoing ships. Fruits and vegetables, grains, meat, oil seeds, tobacco, and wood products from outlying rural areas are among the city’s chief exports. Industries in the metropolitan area include brewing, tanning, meat packing, and wool processing. Factories also produce chemicals, plastics, and motor vehicles. The city has many banks, other financial institutions, and universities.
Pôrto Alegre was settled in the 1750’s by colonists from the Azores. In the 1800’s, many German and Italian immigrants settled in the city.
