city, southeastern São Paulo estado (state), southern Brazil. It is located on a tributary of the Tietê River at 2,506 feet (764 metres) above sea level, part of the greater São Paulo metropolitan area. Formerly known as Borda do Campo and São Bernardo, the original colonial settlement was given town status in 1553 and was made the seat of a municipality in 1889. It houses many large national and international companies, particularly in the automotive industry. Furniture and chemicals are other significant manufacturing activities. São Bernardo do Campo and the neighbouring cities of Santo André and São Caetano do Sul form the “ABC” industrial area just south of São Paulo city. Pop. (2005 est.) 774,800.