city, east-central São Paulo estado (state), Brazil, on the headwaters of Tatu Stream, a tributary of the Piracicaba River. Known at various times as Tatuibi, Rancho de Limeira, and Nossa Senhora das Dores de Tatuibi, it was elevated to city status in 1863. Limeira processes local crops (sugarcane, rice, cotton, coffee, and oranges) and manufactures automobile parts, machinery, paper and cellulose, hats, and matches. Goods are transported by road, rail, and air to São Paulo, the state capital, 80 miles (130 km) southeast, and to neighbouring urban centres such as Campinas, Americana, Piracicaba, and Rio Claro. Limeira boasts a major league football (soccer) club with a serviceable stadium. Pop. (2005 est.) 263,100.