PARÁ, a maritime province of Brazil, of which the above town is the capital. It lies between Lat. 9. S. and 4. 30. N., Long. 45. and 64. W.; and is bounded on the N. by the three Guianas and the Atlantic, E. by the provinces of Maranhão and Goyaz, S. by that of Matto-Grosso, and W. by that of Alto-Amazonas; area, 1,155,253 square miles. On the northern frontier it is separated from Guiana by a range of mountains, and from these the ground gradually slopes downwards to the bed of the Amazon, which traverses the country nearly due E. On the other side of this river the surface again rises as it approaches the watershed between the Amazon and the Rio de la Plata; but there are no very great heights in this direction. Except a few small streams, the Amazon is the only river in Pará that falls directly into the sea; but it receives many large tributaries in this province, among which are the Madeira, forming part of the western boundary, the Tapajoz, the Chingua, and the Tocantines, which joins the Pará or southern arm of the Amazon. The mineral wealth of the province is considerable, though hitherto it has been entirely neglected. Gold, iron, quicksilver, and copper among the metals, as well as diamonds, salt, coal, &c., have been found in various parts of the province; and some of them in large quantities. The soil is fertile, and the surface of the country is covered in some parts with vast and rich plains, and in others with dense, luxuriant forests. Comparatively few tracts have been brought under culture, and in these rice, coffee, cotton, sugar-cane, &c., are raised. The principal exports and imports of the province have been already noticed in speaking of the town of Pará, through which all the trade is carried on. Pop. (1856) 207,400.