Bahia

Bahia, estado (state) of eastern Brazil. It is bounded by Piauí and Pernambuco states to the north, by Alagoas and Sergipe states to the northeast, by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, by Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais states to the south, and by Goiás and Tocantins states to the west. The capital, Salvador, is a port situated at the southern tip of the peninsula that separates Todos os Santos (All Saints) Bay, a deep natural harbour, from the Atlantic Ocean. The Portuguese first entered the region in 1501, through the bay where Salvador is now located, and they called the area Bahia (“Bay”), whence the state derives its name. Area 218,029 square miles (564,693 square km). Pop. (2010) 14,016,906.