city, northern Rio Grande do Sul estado (state), southern Brazil. The city lies near the headwaters of the Passo Fundo River at 2,326 feet (709 m) above sea level. It was founded in 1857 and given city status in 1890. Passo Fundo is a service centre for an agricultural and livestock-raising area featuring soy, corn, wheat, and cattle. In addition to flour mills and plants processing meat and maté (tea), there is some lumbering and sawmilling, as well as the manufacture of farm machinery. A hydroelectric plant serves the city. The University of Passo Fundo (1968) is located there. Passo Fundo lies 140 miles (225 km) northwest of Porto Alegre, the state capital, and is accessible by railway, road, and air. Pop. (2005 est.) 180,100.