Lajeado is an important city in the valley of the Taquari River, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The population is 78,486 (2015 est.) in an area of 90.09 km².[1] Some of the largest distributors of food and fuel of the state are found in Lajeado. The city is mostly urban. Its current mayor is the Mr. Luis Fernando Schmidt. It was founded in 1891, when it was separated from the municipality of Estrela. It was colonized by German and Italian people. The city has a university: Univates.