Araraquara

▪ Brazil

      city, in the highlands of central São Paulo estado (state), Brazil, at 2,119 feet (646 metres) above sea level on a tributary of the Rio Jacaré-Guaçu. Formerly known as Freguesia de São Bento de Araraquara, it was given town status in 1817 and was made the seat of a municipality in 1832. Araraquara's industries process sugarcane and coffee from the hinterland. Textiles, liquor, and furniture are also produced there. The city is accessible by railway, highway, and air from São Paulo, the state capital, 155 miles (250 km) southeast. Highways extend to other cities in São Paulo and Minas Gerais states such as Ribeirão Preto, 55 miles (89 km) to the north, and São Carlos, 27 miles (43 km) to the southeast. Pop. (2005 est.) 187,400.

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