Santo Ângelo is a city located in northwestern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. City population is about 76,746 inhabitants (2000 census) and the total area of the municipality is about 677 km². Neighboring city Giruá sits to the north and to the south of Santo Ângelo is the city of Entre-Ijuís both linked to the city by state road RS-344.
The local agri-economy produces and deals in soy, corn, wheat, swine, sheep and cattle. Tourism in the city is primarily associated with the city's Jesuit history and the Jesuit Reductions in nearby São Miguel das Missões. The Cathedral Angelopolitana in downtown Santo Ângelo and adjacent museum are also frequented by tourists.
Santo Ângelo was founded on August 12, 1706 by the Jesuit Diogo de Haze. The original name of Santo Ângelo was "Sant’Angel Custódio" and then "Santo Ângelo Custódio." The Reduction of Santo Ângelo was dedicated to the "Anjo Custódio das Missões", the guard and protector of the missionaries or Jesuits.
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