port city, northwestern Piauí estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It is located on the Igaraçu River, an outlet of the Parnaíba River, 9 miles (14 km) upstream from the Atlantic Ocean. Founded in 1761 and given city status in 1884, Parnaíba is the most important trade and distributing centre of the state's dominant river valley. The chief products shipped from Parnaíba and its outport, Luís Correia (just to the northeast), are carnauba wax, babassu palm oil, sugar, cattle, chemicals, and hides. The city is also accessible by road and air. Pop. (2005 est.) 134,100.