| Mercedes | |
|---|---|
| — Capital city — | |
|
Mercedes
|
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Uruguay |
| Department | Soriano Department |
| Population (2004) | |
| • Total | 42,032 |
| • Demonym | mercedario,-a |
| Time zone | UTC -3 |
| Postal code | 75000 |
| Area code(s) | +598 453 |
Mercedes is the capital and largest city of the department of Soriano in Uruguay. It is located on the junction of Route 2 with Route 14, and is situated on the south bank of the Río Negro. Also Route 21 from Colonia del Sacramento of Colonia Department terminates in this city.
Mercedes is an important centre of commerce and a commercial port. Its main industries are based on agriculture, dairy products, paper manufacturing and industrial activities. Mercedes was founded in 1788 by the priest Manuel Antonio de Castro y Careaga with the name of Capilla Nueva de las Mercedes. Its status was elevated to "City" category on 6 July 1857 by decree Ley No. 531, becoming thus the capital of the department and replacing Villa Soriano at it.
Its rambla (sea-side road) is one of the most beautiful and widest in the country.
In 2004, it had a population of about 42,032[1]
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1963 | 31,358 |
| 1975 | 34,512 |
| 1985 | 36,701 |
| 1996 | 39,320 |
| 2004 | 42,032 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[2]
|
||||||||||||||