city, in the highlands of northwestern São Paulo estado (state), Brazil. It lies at 1,558 feet (475 m) above sea level near the headwaters of the Prêto River. Originally called Rio Prêto, it became a seat of a municipality in 1894 and grew as a service centre for an agricultural region that grows oranges, coffee, cotton, rice, and feijão (beans). These products, as well as meat, dairy products, vegetable oils, furniture, textiles, and chemicals, are processed there. São José do Rio Prêto is home to a football (soccer) stadium. The city is linked by rail, road, or air to São Paulo city, 250 miles (400 km) southeast, as well as to Araƈatuba to the southwest and Ribeirão Prêto to the east. Pop. (2005 est.) 382,700.