city, central São Paulo estado (state), Brazil, lying near the Batalha River at 1,640 feet (500 metres) above sea level. Formerly known as Divino Espírito da Fortaleza, it was given town status in 1887 and was made the seat of a municipality in 1896. Bauru is a trade centre for an agricultural region (fruits, peanuts 【groundnuts】, rice, feijão 【beans】, and corn 【maize】) and is also a manufacturing centre, producing textiles, ceramics, furniture, plastics, and other goods. The city is home to a major league football (soccer) stadium. In addition to being an important railroad junction located 190 miles (300 km) northwest of São Paulo, the state capital, Bauru is also accessible by highway and air. Its closest major neighbours are Jaú, 40 miles (64 km) to the east, and Marília, 54 miles (87 km) to the west. Pop. (2005 est.) 344,300.