NATAL  , a

city and port of Brazil and capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, on the right bank of the Rio Potengy, or Rio Grande do Norte, about 2 M. above its mouth . Pop. of the municipality (1890) 13,725 . Natal is the starting-point of the Natal and Nova Cruz railway, and is a port of call for coast-wise steamers, which usually anchor outside the bar . It is a stagnant, poorly built town of one-storeyed houses and mud-walled cabins, with few public edifices and business houses of a better type . The only industry of note is the manufacture of cotton . The exports are chiefly sugar and cotton . Natal was founded in 1597 as a military post to check an illicit trade in Brazil-wood . In 1633 it was occupied by the Dutch, who remained until 1654 . It became the capital' of a province in 1820 . In early works it is sometimes termed Cidade dos Reis (City of the Kings) .