BAHIA or SAO SALVADOR, the oldest city of Brazil, for 250 years the capital of the country and now the capital of the State of Bahia, was founded by Thome de Souza in 1549. Lat. S. and long. 3o° 31' W. Pop. est., 852,081. A pictur esque and bluff-formed peninsula extending southward, ranging from slightly above sea-level to 25oft., separates Todos Santos bay, a deep body of water 25m. long and 2om. wide, from the At lantic ocean. Bahia is situated on the inner side of the peninsula, facing west. Mean temperature 78° F. Annual rainfall 52in. Having outgrown its original bay-level site, the city to-day extends well over higher levels. Lower and upper sections are connected by elevators and by graded and winding roads. Narrow streets, principally old business structures and some residences, ware houses, commercial activity, new docks and shipping services typify the lower city. On upper levels there are new parks, mod ern streets and boulevards, fine residences, flower gardens, modern shops, hotels, schools, theatres, churches. Electric car lines radiate to suburbs, and motor vehicles are increasing in number. Recent years have been marked by the construction of modern homes of the better classes, miles of underground sewerage, a water system, suburban highways. Sanitary and health conditions are greatly improved ; smallpox and other diseases are eliminated or under control. A railway to Joazeiro, 35om., connects with steamer service on the Sao Francisco river; also there is rail connection to Lencoes, Toca da Onca and the State of Sergipe, all of which provide outlets for agricultural products via Bahia. During the past 20 years the population of Bahia increased about 38% ; since 1923, about 13%. Although five other Brazilian cities exceed this rate of growth, Bahia's progress is regarded as substantial. Most marked advances of recent years are the extension of paved streets, modern business houses, further extension of electricity for domestic purposes and numerous civic improvements. Mule carts and other horse-drawn vehicles are being replaced by auto mobiles and trucks. Cia Brasileira de Energia operates street cars, telephones and power services. Port improvements, begun in 1909, have made fair progress and when completed will repre sent an outlay of $20,000,000. Ships now dock (instead of anchor ing in bay) and cargo is efficiently transferred to and from ships. There are numerous extensive warehouses and mechanical energy is replacing physical labour in handling cargo. During the past five years exports of cacao, hides, tobacco, coffee, sugar, diamonds and hard woods ranged from 125,000 to 150,000 tons annually. Cacao, rubber, castor-oil seed and tobacco exports were ex ceptionally active in 1927. Importation of manufactured goods has increased about 25% within five years, ranging annually from 77,00o to 143,00o tons. A hundred industrial plants are engaged in manufacture of less complicated commodities. The Brazilian Government maintains a dockyard at Bahia ; a second one is operated by a British corporation. There is a coaling station with Welsh and other fuels on hand. Smaller vessels are built here and ship repairing occupies the attention of skilled mechanics and many labourers. The financial condition of the State of Bahia is good and this reacts favourably on the city's progress.
(W. A. R.)