city, western São Paulo estado (state), Brazil, near the Tietê River, which is dammed for power and irrigation. The city was founded in 1908 and was given town rank in 1917. In 1921 it was separated administratively from Penápolis (to the southeast) and was designated the seat of a municipality. It serves an agricultural area (sugarcane, coffee, rice, corn 【maize】, and feijão 【beans】). Araçatuba processes cotton and foodstuffs and produces furniture, tannin, ceramics, shoes, and other items. Goods are shipped by highway and water to São Paulo, some 330 miles (530 km) east, and to other cities in the state. Araçatuba also has an airfield. Pop. (2005 est.) 174,600.