PERNAMBUCO, a province of Brazil, lying between S. Lat. 7. and 11., W. Long. 34. 50. and 43., is bounded on the N. by the provinces of Ceara and Parahiba, N.W. and W. by that of Piauhhy, S. by those of Bahia and Alagoas, and E. by the Atlantic; area, 61,633 square miles. It consists of two distinct regions, one lying near the coast, and the other on the table-land of the interior. The coast, which is fringed with coral reefs, is low and uninteresting, and the adjacent country level; but farther from the sea there is a succession of hills and dales, and still farther to the W. the ground becomes stony and sterile, as it rises into the table-land which is known by the name of the Serrao de Pernambuco. This region forms a part of the table-land of Brazil, and consists in a great part of salt steppes, though in some parts there are excellent pasture-lands and fields of cotton. The principal mountains in the province are those of Borborema, which form its northern and western boundary; and the most important river of the province, or of any other in Brazil belonging wholly to the country, is the San Francisco, the largest stream that falls into the Atlantic between the Amazon and the Plata. It only forms part of the southern boundary of Pernambuco; and the affluents it receives here are so few and insignificant that the country is in general very dry and sterile. Some gold is found here, and excellent marble might be quarried. The forests yield abundant supplies of timber of various kinds suitable for ship-building, for carpentry, and for ornament. Dye-woods are also obtained. The climate of Pernambuco is hot and moist in the interior, but more agreeable in the maritime district. The soil of the latter is in many parts rich and fertile, producing cotton, sugar, cocoa, maize, mandioca, and a variety of fruits, medicinal herbs, and vegetables. Manufactures can hardly be said to exist in Pernambuco; but there are sugar-works and distilleries. The trade of the province is considerable, and is chiefly carried on through the port of Pernambuco. The province appoints six senators and thirteen deputies to the legislature. Pop. (1856) 950,000.