| Carmelo | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
|
Carmelo
|
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Uruguay |
| Department | Colonia Department |
| Founded | February 12, 1816 |
| Founder | José Gervasio Artigas |
| Population (2004) | |
| • Total | 16,866 |
| Time zone | UTC -3 |
| Postal code | 70100 |
| Area code(s) | +598 4542 |
Carmelo is a city located in the department of Colonia of western Uruguay. Route 21 passes through the city, joining it with Nueva Palmira to the northwest and Colonia del Sacramento to the southeast. Carmelo is noted for its wineries.[1]
Contents |
During the beginning of the Conquest of the 16th century, the Spanish founded the Fuerte de San Lázaro (April 7, 1527 - October 1530). In 1611, Hernando Arias de Saavedra, governor of Asuncion, landed cattle near the mouth of the Arroyo de las Vacas.[1] The present city was founded by José Gervasio Artigas on 12 February 1816.[2] It took the official status of "city" on 17 August 1920 by decree Ley No. 7.257. It is the only city founded personally by the Uruguayan national hero, and it still holds this office proudly.
Carmelo has a swing bridge, the Puerte Giratorio de Carmelo, over the Arroyo de las Vacas, which opened on May 1, 1912.
In 2004, Carmelo had a population of 16,866.[3]
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1963 | 12.680 |
| 1975 | 13.707 |
| 1985 | 14.278 |
| 1996 | 16.658 |
| 2004 | 16,866 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[4]
There are two squares in the city. The one is Plaza Artigas, with a monument to the foundation of the city, the church Templo Histórico del Carmen and the city museum and archive. The other, more central square is the commercial centre of the city. The main commercial street is 19 de Avril, which at its south ends at a bridge, after which it becomes Route 21 which joins it with Colonia del Sacramento and also forks towards other destinations.
The river Arroyo de las Vacas runs along the east and south part of the city. This river serves as a port for the town. On its north bank there is the Puerto Carmelo-Tigre, where small catamaran boats carry passengers across the Río de la Plata to Argentina. A bridge joins the north part of the city with its small southern part, where another port along the southern banks of the river accommodates private boats and the Yacht Club Carmelo. In the same part, along the coast there is beach Playa Seré, a park, a small zoological garden and a Casino Hotel.
Between Nueva Palmira and Carmelo there is a streach along the Río Uruguay of great tourist importance. Points of interest in this area are Punta Gorda, Zagarzazú and Colonia Estrella. In Zagarzazú there is a small airport and a luxury hotel, the Four Seasons Carmelo Hotel, with an important golf course.[5]
Just northwest of Carmelo is Juncal Island which once held a notorious prison.[6]
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||