Santa Maria, city in southern Brazil, in Rio Grande do Sul State, at the southern foot of the Serra Geral near the Jacuí River valley. A road and rail hub in a fertile region producing livestock, sugarcane, coffee, grains, fruits, rice, and timber, the city contains railroad shops, tanneries, sawmills, breweries, and meat- and fruit-processing plants. The Federal University of Santa Maria (1960) is located here. The city was formerly called Santa Maria da Bôca do Monte. Population (1996) 233,351.
