Rio Grande (do Sul)

Seaport in southern Brazil, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul; population (1996) 178,256. Situated on the strait leading from the Atlantic Ocean to the Lagoa dos Patos, it has a large deep-water harbour and is one of Brazil's most important ports. Rio Grande is the main distribution centre for the southern part of the state and exports dried meat, wool, hides, and tobacco. There are cotton, wool, and jute factories, an oil refinery, and fisheries here.