Itabuna

Itabuna

State	Bahia
Area	443.2 km²
Population Population density	209,221 (2006) 462,5 inhab/km²
Altitude	54 meters above the sea level
Latitude	14°47'09"S
Longitude	39°16'48" W
Distance from Salvador	416 km
URL:	http://www.itabuna.ba.gov.br
City mayor	Claudevane "Vane" Leite
Map
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Itabuna is a city in Bahia, Brazil. Located around , it is the 6th city in Bahia, after Salvador, Feira de Santana, Vitória da Conquista, Juazeiro and Ilhéus in size of population, with an estimate of 209,211 inhabitants in 2006. The city covers a total area of 443.2 km².

Itabuna became a city separated from Ilhéus in 1910. In 1978, the city became the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Itabuna.

Economy

Itabuna is a regional center of commerce, industry and services, along with its neighbour Ilhéus. Its economic importance grew during the golden era of cocoa cultivation. Thanks to its fertile soil, the city became the second biggest producer of cocoa in Brazil, exporting to the United States and Europe. After the devastation of crops caused by the fungus Crinipellis perniciosa (which causes a disease known as witch's broom), which led to a profound crisis in its economy, the city began to search a diversification of its economical activities.

Nowadays, Itabuna is one of the most important trade points located along BR-101 Highway in Bahia.

Was in town the Banda Vingadora, who later achieved success throughout Brazil.

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