city, northeastern Alagoas estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It lies 37 miles (60 km) inland from Maceió, the state capital, on the Atlantic coast. Founded in the 16th century and called União, it was the scene of a quickly suppressed African slave revolt in 1650. Primarily an agricultural centre featuring sugarcane, the city also trades in cotton, cashew nuts, vegetable oil, hides, tobacco, and alcohol. Pop. (2005 est.) 38,400.