Lajes

Also spelled �Lages, � city, east-central Santa Catarina estado (�state�), southern Brazil, lying north of the Caveiras River in the Paran� Mountains, at 3,000 feet (900 m) above sea level. Formed as a municipality in 1800, it was settled chiefly by Germans and in 1866 was elevated to city status. Livestock raising and industry are now the main economic activities. Principal products include lumber, corn (maize), feij