RIO GRANDE DO SUL, a southern frontier state of Brazil, bounded on the north by the state of Santa Catharina, on the east by the Atlantic, on the south by Uruguay, and on the west by Uruguay and Argentina—the Uruguay river forming the boundary line with the latter. Area, 91,333sq.m. The northern part of the state lies on the southern slopes of the elevated plateau extending southward from Salo Paulo across the states of Parana and Santa Catharina, and is much broken by low mountain ranges whose general direction across the trend of the slope gives them the appearance of escarpments. A range of low mountains extends southward from the Serra do Mar of Santa Catharina and crosses the state into Uruguay. West of this range is a vast grassy rolling upland devoted principally to stock-raising—the south-western part being suitable in pasturage and climate for sheep and cattle. East of it is a wide coastal zone only slightly elevated above the sea; within it are two great tide-water lakes— Lagoa dos Patos and LagOa Mirim—which are separated from the ocean by two sandy, barren peninsulas. In addition to the LagOa dos Patos and Lagoa Mirim there are a number of small lakes on the sandy, swampy peninsulas that lie between the coast and these two. The largest lake is the LagOa dos Patos (Lake of the Patos—an Indian tribe inhabiting its shores at the time of the discovery). The lake is comparatively shallow and filled with sand banks, making its navigable channels tortuous and difficult. The LagOa Mirim occupies a similar position farther south on the Uruguayan frontier.
Rio Grande lies within the South Temperate zone and has a mild, temperate climate, except in the coastal zone, where it is semi-tropiCal. There are only two well-marked seasons, though the transition periods between them (about two months each) are sometimes described as spring and autumn. The winter months, June to September, are characterized by heavy rains and by cold westerly winds, called minuanos, which sometimes lower the temperature to the freezing point, especially in the mountain ous districts. Snow is unknown, but ice frequently forms on in land waters during cold winter nights, only to disappear with the first rays of the sun. In summer, which is nominally a dry season,
light rains are common, northerly and easterly winds prevail, and the temperature rises to 95° in the shade.
The principal industry of the state is stock-raising, especially on the southern plains, where large estancias (ranches) are to be found. This industry originated with the Jesuit missions on the Uruguay early in the 17th century, and its development here has been much the same as in Argentina and Uruguay. No general effort was made before the 2oth century to improve the herds by the importation of better breeds, and the industry was prac tically in a state of decay until higher tariff rates were imposed on imported came secca (jerked beef) toward the end of the i9th century. The export of live-stock is insignificant, the prac tice being to sell the cattle to the xarqueadas or saladeros, or modern packing plants, where they are slaughtered for xarque, clzarqui or came secca, which is usually prepared by salting and drying in the sun, or for frozen meats for southern Europe. The jerked beef is largely exported to other Brazilian states for con sumption, while the hides and other by-products are exported to Europe and the United States. Horses, sheep and swine are also raised, the raising of sheep being fostered by the building of woollen factories, and that of swine by the duties on imported pork and lard. In some parts of the state agriculture claims much attention, especially in the forested districts of the north, where colonies of foreign immigrants are established. The forest products include herva matte or Paraguay tea (Ilex paraguay ensis), timbers and lumber and vegetable fibre (crina vegetal). Coal of an inferior quality is mined at Sao Jeronymo, on a small tributary (Arroio dos Ratos) of the Jacuhy river, and has been discovered in other localities. Lime is burned at Cacapava, and at some other places. Gold', copper and iron are said to exist, but are not mined. Considerable progress has been made in manufacturing industries.