Montevideo (Uruguay)

Montevideo is situated on Río de la Plata on the southern coast. It is home to nearly half of the population of Uruguay and is the only major city of the nation. As Uruguay's political, economical and cultural centre, the spacious and well laid out town boasts a good number of museums, monuments and impressive architecture. Landmarks include Cerro (hill) after which Montevideo is named; the Cabildo, formerly seat of the national legislature; an ornate cathedral (1790-1804); the mausoleum of Jose Gervasio Artigas, Uruguayan national hero. Furthermore, there are fine restaurants, sidewalk cafes, chic shops, miles of clean beaches and casinos. Many tourists visit nearby beach resorts such as Punta del Este.

Montevideo was established in 1726 by the Spanish governor of Buenos Aires to secure the area against Portuguese infiltration from Brazil. It frequently changed hands during the Spanish-Portuguese rivalry of early 19th century, until, partly through British intervention, became the capital of independent Uruguay, founded in 1828 as a buffer state between Portuguese Brazil and Spanish Argentina. It was besieged for 9 years (1843-1851) during Uruguay's civil war. However, at the same time Montevideo became one of the principal South American ports. Large numbers of Europeans, especially Italians and Spaniards, migrated to the city in late 19th and early 20th centuries.