Natal

City, capital of Rio Grande do Norte estado (“state”), northeastern Brazil, situated near the mouth of the Potengi River, or Rio Grande do Norte, on the Atlantic coast. Founded by the Portuguese in 1597 near the site of a fort (Tres Reis Magos, or “The Three Magi”), Natal was given town status in 1611. The state's principal commercial centre, it produces silk and cotton textiles, sugar, salt, hides,