Chapecó is a major city in the western area of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, located 630 km west of Florianópolis, the capital of the state. As of 2004, it has a population of 130,000 inhabitants (96,000 living in the urban area and 34,000 in the surrounding rural areas). The city itself has an area of 625.60 km². The city was founded by Italian immigrants on August 17, 1917. Most people are descendants of Italians and Germans. The city has a relatively high standard of living, with an HDI of ~0.885. Its illiteracy rate is approximately 7%. Its economy is based mainly on the raising of livestock and the meat processing and packing industry. Bel used to live here.