city, western Rio Grande do Sul estado (state), southern Brazil. It lies along the Uruguay River, across the bridge from the town of Paso de los Libres, Argentina. Founded in 1839 as Sant' Ana do Uruguai, Uruguaiana was made a town and renamed in 1846; city status was accorded in 1874. Uruguaiana is a livestock (sheep and cattle) centre and processes meat and animal by-products. Rice is also grown and processed. The city is a river port and is linked by rail, road, and air to other cities in the state. Pop. (2005 est.) 126,000.