Mercedes, Uruguay

Mercedes La Hermosa del Sur
Capital city
Mercedes Location in Uruguay
Coordinates:
Country	Uruguay
Department	Soriano Department
Founded	1788
Population (2011)
• Total	41,974
• Demonym	mercedario,-a
Time zone	UTC -3
Postal code	75000
Dial plan	+598 453 (+5 digits)

Mercedes (Spanish pronunciation: [merˈseðes]) is the capital and largest city of the department of Soriano in Uruguay. According to the census 2011, it is the tenth most populated city of the country.

Mercedes is an important centre of tourism, commerce and a commercial port. Its main industries are based on agriculture, dairy products, paper manufacturing and industrial activities. Its rambla (riverside promenade) is one of the widest in the country.

Location

The city 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.

History

Mercedes was founded in 1788 by the priest Manuel Antonio de Castro y Careaga with the name of Capilla Nueva de las Mercedes. It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay. On 6 July 1857, its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) and it was designated as capital of Soriano, one of the nine original departments of the Republic at the time, by the Act of Law Nº 531. Previously, the capital of the department was Villa Soriano.

Population

In 2011, it had a population of about 41,974

Year	Population
1908	15,667
1963	31,325
1975	34,518
1985	36,701
1996	39,320
2004	42,032
2011	41,174

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay

Places of worship

• Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy (Roman Catholic)
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church (Roman Catholic)
• St. John the Baptist Parish Church (Roman Catholic, Sisters of the Divine Savior)
• St. Pius X Parish Church (Roman Catholic)

External links

• INE map of Mercedes