city, southeastern Bahia estado (state), northeastern Brazil. It lies just west of Ilhéus on the Cachoeira River at 174 feet (53 m) above sea level. Itabuna, which was elevated to city status in 1910, is the trade centre for a rich zone yielding cacao, livestock, and other agricultural products. It was used as a setting by Jorge Amado (Amado, Jorge) in his novels dealing with the cacao culture. A chemical factory is located there. Goods are transported to Salvador, the state capital, and to nearby urban centres, such as Ilhéus to the east and Vitória da Conquista to the west, by highway, air, and ocean (via Ilhéus). Pop. (2005 est.) 198,100.