PIAUHY, pe-ow-e, or PIAUHI, a state of southern Brazil, bounded on the north by the Atlantic (for only 43 miles), on the east by Ceari and Pernambuco, on the south by Bahia and on the west by Maranhao, the boundary being the Parnahyba River, into which all the streams of the state flow. The only one of any importance is the Piauhy, which gives its name to the state, rises in a range also called Piauhy, about 350 miles from its junction with the Par nahyba, and is scarcely ever navigable because of the scant rains. The state has mountain ranges on its eastern and southeastern borders, and river-pierced plateaus elsewhere. The area is officially given as 232,712 sq. km., or about 90,000 square miles. The climate is unhealthy; the rainy season often lasts only a few weeks and occasionally, as in 1877 and 1880, does not come at all. Then famine and typhus follow. The capital city is Therezina, about 220 miles inland on the Parnahyba River, with about 30,000 inhabitants, and some trade in cotton and cattle. Therezina is connected with
Amarracao, the only port of the state on the Atlantic Ocean, by a steamship line. Another line runs from Therezina to the upper limit of navigation on the Rio Parnahyba, Floriano. Various railways have been planned hut so tar only about 75 miles of the line Therezina Saint Luis (in Maranhao) have been completed. This line is called the Caxias and Therezina Railway. The population of the state is scanty and includes some independent Indian tribes in the southwestern part; it is estimated at 425,000. The principal crops of the state are cotton, tobacco, manicoba, rubber, sugar and cereals. More important is the raising of cattle and goats. There are also extensive for ests. The mineral wealth is known to he con siderable, but is practically undeveloped. Con sult Buley, E. C., 'North Brazil) (New York 1914) ; Domville-Fife, C. W., 'The United States of Brazil' (New York 1911) • 'The South American Yearbook' (London 1915).