ALAGOAS  , a maritime

state of Brazil, bounded N. and W. by the state of Pernambuco, S. and W. by the state of Sergipe, and E. by the Atlantic . It has an area of 22,584 sq. m . A dry, semi-barren plateau, fit for grazing only, extends across the W. part of the state, breaking down into long fertile valleys and wooded ridges towards the coast, giving the country a mountainous character . The coastal plain is filled with lakes (lagoas) , in some cases formed by the blocking up of river outlets by beach sands . The valleys and slopes are highly fertile and produce sugar, cotton, tobacco, Indian corn, rice, mandioca and fruits . Hides and skins, mangabeira rubber, cabinet woods, castor beans and rum are also exported . Cattle-raising was formerly a prominent industry, but it has greatly declined . Manufactures have been developed to a limited extent only, though protective tariff laws have been adopted for their encouragement . The climate is hot and humid, and fevers are prevalent in the hot season . The capital, Maceio, is the chief commercial city of the state, and its port (Jaragua) has a large foreign and coastwise trade . The principal towns are Alagoas, formerly the capital, picturesquely situated on Lake Manguaba, 15 m . S.W. of Maceio, and Penedo, a small port on the lower Sao Francisco, 26 m. above the river's mouth .

Before 1817 Alagoas formed part of the capitania of Pernambuco, but in that

year the district was rewarded with a separate government for refusing to join a revolution, and in 1823 became a province of the empire . The advent of the republic in 1889 changed the province into a state .