Boa Vista, city (1996 pop. 154,166), capital of Roraima state, NW Brazil, on the Rio Branco. Its economy is based on the processing and shipment of minerals (gold, bauxite, diamonds, and gold) found in the surrounding region. Primary manufactures are alcohol and petroleum, construction goods, and metal products. Boa Vista became the capital of Roraima when it was created (as the federal territory of Rio Branco) in 1943.