Curitiba
[key], city, capital of Paraná state, SE Brazil. It was founded in
1654 but was of little significance until the late 19th and early 20th
cent., when immigrants (chiefly Germans, Italians, and Slavs) began to
develop the Paraná hinterland. A commercial and processing center for
an expanding agricultural and ranch area, Curitiba exports beer,
maté, lumber, and livestock products through the Atlantic port of
Paranaguá, c.70 mi (110 km) away. The city also produces paper and
tobacco products, matches, textiles, cement, and cars. Curitiba grew rapidly
after 1950; modern buildings house two universities, the state public
library, and the governor's offices.
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