Petrolina

Petrolina is a city and municipality in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. It sits on the right bank of the São Francisco River, directly opposite Juazeiro, Bahia. Together they form the urban core of the São Francisco Valley, an important agricultural and economic region in the Northeast.

The city lies in a semi-arid climate and relies on irrigation from the São Francisco to sustain intensive farming. The surrounding irrigated perimeter supports large-scale production of fruit crops, including grapes, mangos, papayas, and citrus, along with other crops and agro-industrial processing. The valley’s irrigation network has underpinned decades of growth and rural development.

Petrolina’s economy centers on irrigated agriculture and related industries, with services and trade contributing to growth as well. The city serves as a commercial and logistical hub for the São Francisco Valley, exporting fruit to domestic and international markets. Cross-river traffic and commerce with Juazeiro are supported by a bridge over the river and regional transport links, including a regional airport that connects to major Brazilian cities.

In terms of education and research, Petrolina hosts campuses of the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF) and the Instituto Federal de Pernambuco (IFPE), among other institutions, supporting higher education and technical training in the region. The city’s development has been closely tied to the São Francisco irrigation projects and the broader economic integration of the valley.

Population estimates place Petrolina among the larger urban centers in the region, with hundreds of thousands of residents.