Juazeiro

Juazeiro, city, northern Bahia estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It lies along the São Francisco River, at 1,224 feet (373 metres) above sea level. Juazeiro became a city in 1878. It is the trade and transportation centre for an agricultural and livestock-raising region that is one of the driest areas of Brazil. Onions, melons, tomatoes, and grapes are among its major crops.

From Juazeiro southward to Pirapora in Minas Gerais state, the upper course of the São Francisco River is navigable for shallow-draft river vessels. Goods are also transported by rail and highway to coastal Aracaju, 275 miles (443 km) southeast (in Sergipe state); to Petrolina, which lies across the river (there bridged) in Pernambuco state; and to neighbouring communities in Bahia. Juazeiro is served by Petrolina’s airport. Pop. (2010) 197,965.