The Paraíba Valley (Portuguese: Vale do Paraíba) is a region in the eastern part of the state of São Paulo and the western part of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The region is situated along the upper part of the Paraíba do Sul River, roughly between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It has been one of the most important economic regions of Brazil since the start of coffee production in the 19th century. Since the 1950s the region has seen large scale industrialization. The largest cities in the valley are São José dos Campos, Taubaté, Jacareí, Pindamonhangaba, Guaratinguetá and Volta Redonda. The main highway in the valley is the Presidente Dutra Highway (BR-116),
Coordinates: 22°45′S 45°09′W / 22.75°S 45.15°W / -22.75; -45.15
Paraíba (Tupi: pa'ra a'íba: "bad for navigation"; Portuguese pronunciation: [paɾaˈiba]) is a state of Brazil. It is located in the Brazilian Northeast, and it is bordered by Rio Grande do Norte to the north, Ceará to the west, Pernambuco to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Paraíba is the third most densely populated state of the Northeast; João Pessoa, the sea-bordered state capital, and Campina Grande, in the interior, rank among the fifteen-largest municipalities in the Northeast of Brazil.
Paraíba is most populated along the Atlantic coast, which extends as far as Ponta do Seixas, the easternmost point of the Americas. The state is a tourist and industrial hotspot; it is known for its cultural heritage, amenable climate and geographical features, ranging from the seaside beaches to the Borborema Plateau. It is named after the Paraíba river.
Some of the most notable Brazilian writers and poets are from Paraíba like Augusto dos Anjos, José Américo de Almeida, José Lins do Rego, Ariano Suassuna and Pedro Américo, the last being also known for his historical paintings.
Paraíba is a state in northeastern Brazil. It may also refer to: