Goyaz ,.I. A central province of Brazil, lying between lat. 6° and 21° 5' S., and lon. 44° 35' and 50° 58' W.; area, 284,000 sq. m.; pop. about 151,000, besides about 12,000 independent Indians. It comprises the basin of the Tocantins above its junction with the Ara-guay, and the E. portion of the basin of the latter river, together with nearly the whole of the N. side of the basin of the Paranahyba. The surface is generally mountainous. The Cordilheira Grande traverses it from the extreme north to about lat. 16° S., where it unites with the Montes Pyreneos, the culminating point of which, Goyaz, has an elevation of about 9,500 ft. Several sierras extend from S. to N., forming for the most part the E. boundary, and with the Cordilheira Grande and the Pyreneos encircling the basin of the Tocantins. The main ranges are intersected by numerous subsidiary ones, from which the country slopes gradually down to the sea level. The geological structure is imperfectly known. It has been appropriately described as "a met-amorphic island in a sea of sandstone, the sandstones having been swept away from the greater part of the river basins, leaving irregular metamorphic rocks exposed." The great plains and valleys lying between the mountains are watered by numerous rivers, among which is the Tocantins; this, formed by the union of the Maranhao and the Paranatinga, flows N. to its confluence with the Araguay, in the N. corner of the province, receiving in its course many considerable affluents.

The Araguay, which belongs only in part to the province, is much larger than the Tocantins, and hence is properly the main stream, and is navigable for steamers, which run to Para (Belem), at the mouth of the Amazon. Gold is found in many parts, the neighborhood of the capital being especially auriferous. Diamonds and other precious stones have been discovered in various places. The country is generally open, although there is an extensive forest tract lying near the capital. The lowlands are not well fitted for cultivation; but the highlands are fertile, producing millet, mandioca, rice, and a small species of beans. Cotton, coffee, and tobacco are produced; the grape flourishes, affording two vintages in the year. Melons, bananas, oranges, etc, abound. The vanilla bean, sarsaparilla, rhubarb, and senna grow spontaneously. Palms are numerous, especially the beautiful species known as the buriti, from the fruit of which is produced a beverage resembling wine. A considerable part of the province is especially adapted for grazing, and there are many cattle, horses, and swine. Wild animals and birds, especially macaws and parrots, are numerous. II. A city, capital of the province, on the river Vermalho, in lat. 16° 20' S., lon. 50° W., about 600 m.

N. W. of Rio de Janeiro; pop. about 8,500. It is very nearly in the centre of Brazil, being almost equidistant from Para, Porto Alegre, and the frontiers of Peru and Uruguay. The site is uneven, but the streets are regularly laid out, although ill paved. Most of the houses are built with mud walls. The principal edifices are the governor's palace, the house of legislation, the prison, and the municipal slaughter house. One of the churches has a fine exterior. The river is here crossed by two handsome bridges. There is very little trade. The climate is salubrious, but in summer the heat is excessive. The town was founded in 1736, and was then called Santa Anna. It was incorporated as a city in 1739, when it received its present name of Goyaz, or, in full, Villa Boa de Goyaz.