city and river port, central Amazonas estado (state), northwestern Brazil. Founded by missionaries as Nogueira in the 17th century and also called Ega at one time, Tefé lies on the left (north) bank of the portion of the Amazon River known as the Solimões (Solimões River), on the lake formed by the mouth of the Tefé River. River steamers and hydroplanes use facilities at Tefé, which ships Brazil nuts, tobacco, rubber, cassava flour, and dried fish, principally to Manaus, the state capital, located 370 miles (595 km) downstream. Pop. (2005 est.) 52,400.