city, eastern São Paulo estado (state), Brazil. It lies along the Paraíba do Sul River at 2,110 feet (643 m) above sea level. Known successively as Vila Nova de São José, Vila de São José do Sul, and Vila de São José do Paraíba, the colonial settlement developed around a Jesuit mission. It attained town status in 1767 and was made the seat of a municipality in 1854.

The city is the service centre for an agricultural region that produces rice, sugarcane, feijão (beans), corn (maize), milk, and fruits. It is better known as the hub of Brazil's aviation, space, and armaments industries and is home to several research facilities. Other diversified manufactures include ceramics, diesel engines, tires, and petroleum refining. Situated on the São Paulo–Rio de Janeiro axis, 50 miles (80 km) northeast of São Paulo city, São José dos Campos is easily accessible by rail, highway, or air. Pop. (2005 est.) 592,700.