The Paraíba Valley is a region in the eastern part of the state of São Paulo and the western part of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The region is situated along the upper part of the Paraíba do Sul River, roughly between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It has been one of the most important economic regions of Brazil since the start of coffee production in the 19th century. Since the 1950s the region has seen large scale industrialization. The largest cities in the valley are São José dos Campos, Taubaté, Jacareí, Pindamonhangaba, Guaratinguetá and Volta Redonda. The main highway in the valley is the Presidente Dutra Highway (BR-116),