city, eastern Rio Grande do Sul estado (state), southern Brazil. It was founded by Germans in 1927 and named for Hamburg, Germany. Novo Hamburgo lies at 115 feet (35 metres) above sea level. An industrial city, it manufactures shoes, hides, and leather from the cattle and hogs raised in the surrounding area. It is linked by rail and road to Porto Alegre, the state capital, which lies about 30 miles (48 km) to the south. Pop. (2005 est.) 250,800.