Canelones Department | |||
---|---|---|---|
|
|||
Map of Canelones Department | |||
|
|||
Coordinates (Canelones): | |||
Country | Uruguay | ||
Capital of Department | Canelones | ||
Government | |||
• Intendant | Marcos Carámbula | ||
• Ruling party | Frente Amplio | ||
Area | |||
• Total | 4,536 km2 (1,751.4 sq mi) | ||
Population (2004 census) | |||
• Total | 485,240 | ||
• Density | 107/km2 (277.1/sq mi) | ||
Demonym | Canario | ||
Time zone | UYT (UTC-3) | ||
ISO 3166 code | UY-CA | ||
Website | www.imcanelones.gub.uy |
The Canelones Department (Spanish: Departamento de Canelones), with an area of 4,536 km2 (1,751 sq mi) and 485,240 inhabitants, is located to the south of Uruguay. Its capital is Canelones.
Contents |
Neighbouring departments are Maldonado and Lavalleja to the East, Flores to the North, San José to the West, and Montevideo to the South. Part of the southern border is formed by the Río de la Plata. It is the second smallest department of the country after that of Montevideo, but the second largest in population.
Located in the humid templated region, the average temperature is low compared to that of the rest of the country (around 15°C), as are the levels of precipitation (up to 2,000 mm yearly, on average).
By area Canelones Department is the second smallest of Uruguay's 19 departments.
Canelones Department, is characterized by flat lands and absence of relief (as most parts of Uruguay), with small coastal sand dunes at the south, and with meadows and woods in the center, north and west.[1]
The department is rich in waterways, with many rivers and streams. However, there are two rivers that stand out for their importance: the Santa Lucía River and the Río de la Plata, which is actually a sea of salt water. On the coastline formed by the Río de la Plata, there are many spa towns and their respective beaches.
Santa Lucia River, meanwhile, forms the northern boundary with Florida, which is separated by a bridge known as the Paso Pache.
Despite being a small department, Canelones has a population of over 500,000 inhabitants and one of the highest densities in the country with 107 inhabitants per square kilometer.[2]
The department is divided into aprox. 20 sections. Within these, there are significant populations centers, some of which have the status of municipality, others are part of recently formed cities by decree, and then there are also those that do not have enough inhabitants and are therefore often considered simple population entities with no mayor or government, remaining under the direct jurisdiction of the Municipality of Canelones (in Spanish, Intendencia Municipal Canelones or Comuna Canaria), which is based in the departmental capital, Canelones.
Canelones was one of the nine original departments created in 1830. Over the years its boundaries have changed little.
Agriculture is one of the principal contributors to the economy of Canelones. The cultivation of grapevines is widespread, and the area is a major contributor to Uruguay's burgeoning wine industry. In addition cereal crops, principally maize are produced, as are a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Tourism, in the eastern coastal area, is also a major source of income for the department, and has enabled the development of important urban centres, such as Atlántida.
As of the census of 2004, there were 485,240 people[3] and 153,931 households in the department. The average household size was 3.2. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males.[4]
Main Urban CentresPopulation stated as per 2004 census.[5]
(* Resorts of the Costa de Oro) Other towns and villages
Rural populationAccording to the 2004 census, Canelones department has an additional rural poulation of 55,128. See alsoReferences
External links
|