city, south-central Bahia estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It is situated in the Batalha Mountains at 3,040 feet (928 metres) above sea level. Elevated to city status in 1891 and formerly called Conquista, the city is the trade and transportation centre for an extensive livestock-raising region. Dairies and food processing plants are located there. It is accessible by air from Salvador, the state capital (210 miles 【340 km】 northeast), and lies on the main highway between Rio de Janeiro and Salvador at a junction with a major east-west highway. Pop. (2005 est.) 245,700.