Maldonado, Uruguay

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Coordinates: 34°54′S 54°57′W / -34.9, -54.95
Maldonado
Maldonado
Country	Uruguay
Department	Maldonado Department
Founded	1754
Founder	Joaquín de Viana
Population (2004)
- Total	54,603
- Demonym	Fernandino
postal code	20000
Area code(s)	+042

Evening in Maldonado.

Maldonado is the capital of the Uruguayan province of the same name. Its population, as of 2004, was 54,603.

Maldonado was founded in 1755 at the initiative of the Governor of Montevideo Joaquin de Viana. It was firmly established by the arrival of 104 permanent settlers in 1757. Its original name was Maldonado, but, years later, its name was changed to San Fernando de Maldonado, in honor of King Ferdinand VI of Spain.

Remarkable sights in Maldonado include:

San Fernando de Maldonado Cathedral, a neoclassic cathedral begun in 1801 and completed in 1895;

Cuartel de Dragones (The Dragoons' Barracks), a Spanish garrison begun in 1771 and completed in 1797;

Torre del Vigia (meaning "tower of vigilance" or, more simply, "watchtower"), built in 1800 under the direction of Rafael Pérez del Puerto, its function was to inform the authorities of the entrance in Buenos Aires of the approach of any ship to the Río de la Plata;

El Puente de la Barra, a stressed ribbon bridge, where the roadbed swoops up, down, and back up and down once more, demonstrating an exceptional economy of material;