RIO GRANDE DO NORTE, a province of Brazil, is bounded on the S. by Parahyba, on the N. and E. by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the W. by Ceara. Situated between the parallels of 4. 30. and 6. 45. of S. Lat., the climate is of course very hot. At Cape St Roque, which forms the angle of this province, in Long. 36. 15. W., Lat. 5. 7. S., the coast of Brazil terminates towards the N.E.; and the Atlantic Ocean, which has so long been its boundary on the E., begins to wash its northern shores. The province has about 100 miles of sea-coast, and an area of 31,230 square miles. The Rio Grande, or Potengi, the great river of the province, rises in a ridge on its western limits, and traverses its whole extent in a direction from S.W. to N.E. The province is irrigated by other streams, on whose banks the most fertile land is to be found; but the soil in general is rather sterile. None of the rivers are of any great size. There are several salt lakes, which afford much excellent salt. It is mountainous in the S. and W., but gradually slopes toward the sea; and along the coast there is an expanse of low sandy ground. Cotton is the crop that grows best in this country; but maize, mandioca, rice, and the sugar-cane are also raised. The minerals include gold, silver, iron, limestone, sandstone, granite, &c.; but mining is only carried on to a very small extent. There are numerous small harbours along the coast; but navigation is interrupted by many shoals, some of them very dangerous, which line the shore. The small island of Fernando de Noronha, about 250 miles E.N.E. of Cape St Roque, belongs to this province, and is used as a place of transportation. Salt, cotton, sugar, hides, salt fish, &c., are exported from Rio Grande do Norte. The capital, Natal, is the seat of the provincial assembly of twenty members. The province sends one senator and two deputies to the legislative assembly of Brazil. Pop. (1856) 190,000.