city, eastern Santa Catarina estado (state), southern Brazil, on the Rio Itajaí, at 46 feet (14 metres) above sea level. It was founded in 1852 by German colonists. It draws large crowds of tourists for an annual Oktoberfest that is often more animated than its Bavarian counterpart. The city's economy is based on the manufacture of textiles (especially towels) from cotton grown in the hinterland, as well as other consumer industries. The Universidade Regional de Blumenau (1968) is located in the city. Roads and air service link Blumenau with Florianópolis, the state capital, some 85 miles (137 km) to the southeast, and with Joinville, 65 miles (105 km) to the north. The city can also be reached by riverboat, train, or automobile from Itajaí, a port 30 miles (48 km) to the east at the mouth of the Rio Itajaí. Pop. (2005 est.) 270,800.