Alagoas

State in northeast Brazil, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and by the River São Francisco to the south; area 27,730 sq km/10,707 sq mi; population (1996) 2,633,339. The port of Maceió is the capital. Apart from the coastal strip, about 80 km/50 mi in width, the land consists of semi-barren plateau, savannah, and tropical rainforest. The refining of sugar cane (which is cultivated on the coast) is the state's most important industry. Other significant commercial crops include coffee and cotton. Cattle are raised in the west. Fishing, textiles, and offshore oil production are also important.

Alagoas has many lakes. Rainfall is heavy in the east and moderate elsewhere, and temperatures range between 25°-30°C for most of the year.