Montevideo

Main article: Uruguay

Further information: Latin America

Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. It is found on the southern coast, along the Río de la Plata. About 1.3 million people live there.

The city was first settled by the Portuguese in 1723. Later, the Spanish took over. It became an independent city in 1730. Over time, Montevideo grew into an important place for trade and culture in Latin America.

Today, Montevideo is known for its beautiful European-style buildings, including many with art deco design. It is a key center for business, education, and finance. The city also has a rich cultural life and is growing as a technology and startup hub. In 1930, Montevideo hosted all the matches of the first ever FIFA World Cup.

Etymology

The name Montevideo has several possible origins. All agree that "Monte" refers to the Cerro de Montevideo, the hill across the Bay of Montevideo. The meaning of "video" is less certain.

One idea is Monte vide eu, meaning "I saw a mount." Experts think this is unlikely because it mixes different languages. It is said that a sailor from Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition said this when he first saw the hill.

Another idea is Montem vídeo, meaning "I see a hill." This comes from a person on Magellan’s ship who spoke Latin.

A third idea is Monte Vidi, based on a note from a sailor on Magellan’s ship. He wrote about seeing a hill shaped like a hat and calling it Montevidi.

A less common idea is Monte-VI-D-E-O, meaning the sixth hill from east to west along the coast.

Finally, some think it may come from Monte Ovídio, linked to a religious figure.

When Portuguese rulers controlled the area, they called the city Montevidéu.

History

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Montevideo.

Early history

Between 1680 and 1683, Portugal built a city called Colonia do Sacramento across the bay from Buenos Aires. In 1723, the Spanish started building forts around Montevideo Bay. On 22 November 1723, a Portuguese leader built a fort named Montevieu.

Soon after, the Spanish took control and began building the city. Families from Buenos Aires and the Canary Islands moved in. By 1724, the city had over 100 families from places like Galicia and the Canary Islands, more than 1,000 indigenous people, mostly Guaraní, and some enslaved people from Bantu origin.

Montevideo grew into an important port and city, often competing with Buenos Aires for trade.

19th century

In 1807, British soldiers took over Montevideo for a short time but were later pushed out by local forces. During the early 1800s, Montevideo was a center of conflict as different groups fought for control.

In 1828, Uruguay became independent, and Montevideo was chosen as its capital. The city began to grow and expand beyond its old walls.

20th century

In the early 1900s, many people from Europe moved to Montevideo, especially from Spain and Italy. The city grew quickly with new neighborhoods and important buildings.

During World War II, a famous ship called the Admiral Graf Spee took refuge in Montevideo's port after a battle. The ship's captain sank it to avoid a losing fight.

After the war, Montevideo faced tough times with economic problems and political unrest. By the 1980s, democracy was restored, and the city began to recover.

21st century

In 2002, Montevideo faced a financial crisis, but by 2017, the city had enjoyed 15 years of steady growth. Today, Montevideo is known for having a high quality of life compared to other cities in Latin America.

Geography

Montevideo is on the north shore of the Río de la Plata, part of the Atlantic Ocean between Uruguay and Argentina. Buenos Aires is about 230 kilometers west across the river. The Santa Lucía River separates Montevideo from San José Department to the west. To the north and east is Canelones Department, with the Carrasco stream forming the eastern border. The coastline along the southern edge has rocky areas and sandy beaches. The Bay of Montevideo is a big natural harbor, the largest in Uruguay and important for the country’s economy. Several streams flow into the bay. The coastline near these rivers is polluted.

The city sits about 43 meters above sea level. Its highest points are two hills: Cerro de Montevideo and Cerro de la Victoria. The peak of Cerro de Montevideo is the highest, crowned by Fortaleza del Cerro at 134 meters.

Montevideo has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. Winters are cool, summers are warm to hot, autumns are mild, and springs change a lot. The climate is mild, without very cold or very hot temperatures. Rainfall happens all year, about 950 millimeters.

Climate

Montevideo has cool winters with temperatures just above 10 °C. Summer temperatures are usually between 24 °C and 32 °C. The city often gets wind from the sea in summer evenings, which keeps things comfortable. Rainfall is common in winter, but snow almost never happens.

Administrative divisions and barrios

Montevideo is divided into 62 neighborhoods, called barrios. Many of these were once separate towns that joined the city later. Each barrio has its own character, location, and activities.

Landmarks

Montevideo has many different styles of buildings, from Neoclassical like the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral to modern buildings like the World Trade Center Montevideo and the tall ANTEL Telecommunications Tower. The city's skyline includes famous buildings such as Palacio Salvo. The Old Town has many European-style buildings and important government offices. The city has large parks, including Parque Batlle, Parque Rodó, and Parque Prado.

Palacio Legislativo

Palacio Legislativo is where the Uruguayan Parliament meets. Building started in 1904 and was designed by Italian architects.

World Trade Center Montevideo

World Trade Center Montevideo opened in 1998. It has several towers and buildings used for business and events.

Telecommunications Tower

The Telecommunications Tower is the tallest building in Uruguay, at 158 meters. It finished in 2000 and is the home of Uruguay’s government-owned telecommunications company.

Ciudad Vieja (Old City)

Ciudad Vieja is the oldest part of Montevideo and has many colonial buildings, museums, and important places. Plaza Independencia is a big square here, and the Solís Theatre is Uruguay’s oldest theater.

Parque Batlle

Parque Batlle is one of Montevideo’s largest parks, named after José Batlle y Ordóñez, a former president of Uruguay. The park has the Estadio Centenario football stadium and several statues.

Parque Prado

Parque Prado is the largest public park in Montevideo, created in 1873. It has a rose garden, a botanical garden, and several museums.

Parque Rodó

Parque Rodó is both a neighborhood and a park. It has an amusement park, a football stadium, and several cultural sites.

Forts

Fortaleza del Cerro is an old fortress that looks over the bay of Montevideo. The Spanish built it in the late 1700s, and it has served many purposes.

Punta Brava Lighthouse

Punta Brava Lighthouse was built in 1876 and is 21 meters tall. It helps guide ships into the port.

Rambla of Montevideo

The Rambla is a long road along Montevideo’s coastline. It is a popular place for walking, jogging, and other fun activities. Montevideo has many beaches that are important for people living there and visitors.

Cemeteries

Montevideo has large cemeteries, including the Central Cemetery, where many famous Uruguayans are buried.

Demographics

Montevideo is the biggest city in Uruguay, with over 1.3 million people living there. Most people in the city identify as White, with smaller groups of Black, Mixed, and Asian people.

The city grew quickly in the late 1800s and early 1900s because many people from Europe moved there, especially from Italy and Spain. Other groups came from France, Germany, Portugal, Poland, Ireland, Croatia, Lithuania, Armenia, Lebanon, and Japan. There is also a community of people whose ancestors came from Africa.

Most people in Montevideo follow Christianity, mainly Catholicism, with some also following Protestant beliefs. There are also many people who do not follow any religion. The city is home to a large Jewish community, making up more than half of Uruguay's Jewish population.

Government and politics

Intendancy of Montevideo

Main article: Intendancy of Montevideo

Montevideo's city government started in 1908. Laws have changed over time, affecting how the city is run. Today, the city is split into areas with local centers to help. The city hall is on 18 de Julio Avenue.

The city's laws are made by a group of 31 elected members. They help run the city and approve plans from the city's leader.

Intendants of Montevideo

Main article: Intendant of Montevideo

Many leaders have guided Montevideo over the years, each serving for different lengths of time.

Culture

Montevideo has a fun nightlife, especially in Parque Rodó, where many places are for young people. Smoking is not allowed in any public place with a roof, and some shops cannot sell alcohol between 9 PM and 9 AM.

Montevideo is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for Literature since 2015. The city has beautiful old buildings and many writers, artists, and musicians. Uruguayan tango, candombe, and murga are the main music styles in the city. Montevideo is also the center of Uruguay's cinema, with many movie theaters and stages. The Solís Theatre is the most famous theater in Uruguay and the oldest in South America.

The arts

Montevideo has many places for art. The Virtual Museum of Contemporary Uruguayan Art shows exhibitions online. In the early 1970s, art studios in Montevideo had some problems, but many artists kept creating in their private studios.

Literature

Montevideo has a long history of books and writing. The first public library opened in 1815. The National Library of Uruguay was built between 1926 and 1964 and has nearly 900,000 books. The city has many famous writers, including José Enrique Rodó, Carlos Vaz Ferreira, Julio Herrera y Reissig, Delmira Agustini, Felisberto Hernández, Juan Carlos Onetti, Antonio Larreta, Eduardo Galeano, Marosa di Giorgio, and Cristina Peri Rossi.

Music

Montevideo is famous for tango, milonga, and vals criollo. Well-known songs from the city include "El Tango supremo," "La Cumparsita," and "La Milonga." Famous musicians include Gerardo Matos Rodríguez, Pintín Castellanos, and Rosita Melo. Tango is very popular in the city, with many bars and restaurants for it. The city also has the Montevideo Jazz Festival and the Bancaria Jazz Club.

Cuisine

Montevideo's food comes from Italian and Spanish traditions, with popular dishes like pasta, pizza, bread, baked goods, and grilled meats, especially asado. Cafés and bars are important places to meet. Traditional foods include torta frita, gnocchi (eaten on the 29th of each month), chivito (a beef sandwich), and “a la piedra” pizza. The city has old markets like Mercado del Puerto, Mercado de la Abundancia, and Mercado Agrícola, which now work as food halls.

Notable people

Montevideo has had many famous people, including film director Fede Álvarez, writers Delmira Agustini and Mario Benedetti, composer Miguel del Aguila, footballers Diego Forlán and Enzo Francescoli, and many others.

Recreation

Museums

Montevideo has many museums, including Museo Torres García, Museo José Gurvich, Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales, and Museo Juan Manuel Blanes. The Montevideo Cabildo, built between 1804 and 1869, is an old building with exhibitions and cultural events. The Palacio Taranco, now the Museum of Decorative Arts, has a collection of European paintings and decorations. The National History Museum is in the home of General Fructuoso Rivera and shows Uruguay's history. The Museo Torres García has works by Joaquín Torres García.

Festivals

Montevideo holds several festivals, including the Montevideo Carnival, a big yearly event with parades, shows, and decorations. People start preparing for the carnival in December with elections for "zonal beauty queens."

Sports

Estadio Centenario, the national football stadium, opened in 1930 and has 70,000 seats. It is listed by FIFA as one of the world's classic stadiums. Montevideo is home to many football teams, including Nacional, Peñarol, and Defensor Sporting. The city also holds international basketball tournaments and is a center for rugby, equestrianism, golf, and yachting.

Religion

The main religion in Montevideo is Roman Catholicism. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montevideo was set up in 1830 and became an archdiocese in 1897. The Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral is the main Catholic church in the city. Other religions in Montevideo include Protestantism, Umbanda, Judaism, and many people who do not follow any religion.

Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral

The Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic church in Montevideo, located in Ciudad Vieja. It was built in 1740 and finished in 1804. It became a Metropolitan Cathedral in 1897. The cathedral is used for important events, weddings, and music performances.

Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón

Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón, also called Iglesia Punta Carretas, was built between 1917 and 1927 in the Romanesque Revival style. It is located at the corner of Solano García and José Ellauri and has a long middle part, side parts, and many arched roofs.

Economy

Further information: Economy of Uruguay

Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay and the country's main economic and political center. Many big businesses in Uruguay have their offices here. Since the 1990s, the city has grown fast, with important buildings like the World Trade Center Montevideo and the Telecommunications Tower being built. These changes have helped Montevideo connect better with the world.

The Port of Montevideo is one of South America’s biggest ports and is very important for the city’s economy. The port has been growing quickly, helped by more trade with other countries. The city got money to make the port bigger, better, and cheaper for ships to use.

Tourism

Montevideo is Uruguay’s top tourist place, welcoming about 1 million visitors in 2024. Most international tourists come from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and the United States. In 2025, Montevideo was named a smart destination and a welcoming place for everyone.

Tourists enjoy visiting the Ciudad Vieja area, which has old buildings, museums, art galleries, and places to visit at night. Popular spots include Sarandí Street and Mercado del Puerto. Plaza Independencia is surrounded by sights like the Solís Theatre and Palacio Salvo. 18 de Julio Avenue is a main shopping street with beautiful Art Deco buildings and leads to places like Parque Batlle and Parque Prado. The coast has beaches, the Fortaleza del Cerro, and the Rambla avenue.

The Ministry of Tourism and local guides offer city tours in several languages. Private companies also provide organized tours. Most visitors come from Argentina, Brazil, and Europe, with growing numbers from other parts of Latin America and the United States.

Retail

Montevideo is the main place for shopping, business, and real estate in Uruguay. Since the late 1800s, many department stores opened in areas like Centro and Ciudad Vieja. Starting in the 1980s, shopping malls began appearing in different parts of the city. Montevideo Shopping, built in 1985, was the first mall in the Southern Cone.

Other important shopping areas include Unión, Belvedere, Paso del Molino, and Villa Muñoz, known for its affordable shops.

Media

Out of Uruguay’s 100 radio stations, 40 are in Montevideo. The city has a lively arts and literature scene. Newspapers were free to publish until a difficult time from 1973 to 1985; freedom returned in March 1985.

Important newspapers include Brecha, La República, El Observador, El País, and la Diaria. All television stations, such as Saeta Channel 10, Teledoce, Channel 4, and National Television (Channel 5), are based in Montevideo.

Transport

Public transport

Montevideo has a big bus network to help people travel around the city and nearby areas. The buses are run by the city government and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works. The main bus station is called Baltasar Brum Terminal and is in the old part of the city called Ciudad Vieja. There are many bus stops and stations all over the city and nearby places.

Taxis

Most taxis in Montevideo are white with a yellow stripe. They have a device that shows the fare based on how far you travel. You can pay with cash or a credit card.

Rail

The State Railways Administration of Uruguay (AFE) runs three train lines to places like Canelones, San José, and Florida. Trains stop at several stations in Montevideo, such as Lorenzo Carnelli, Sayago, Peñarol, and Manga. The old main train station, General Artigas Central Station, closed in 2003. Train service is stopped for upgrades and will return in mid-2023.

Intercity buses

The Tres Cruces bus station is the biggest bus station in Uruguay. It has buses traveling long distances within Uruguay and from nearby countries. It opened in 1994 and serves many passengers each year.

Aviation

Montevideo's main airport is Carrasco International Airport (MVD), located about 19 kilometers from the city center. It serves many passengers a year and is known for being efficient and friendly to travelers. There is also a smaller private airport called Ángel S. Adami Airport used for special flights and training.

Port

Main article: Port of Montevideo

Montevideo has an important port that helps connect the city by ferry to Buenos Aires in Argentina. Many people travel between the two cities each year using Buquebus ferries. The port was a key reason the city was founded, offering safe access for ships. Many industries and businesses have grown around the port area.

Cycling

Montevideo has many bike paths and places to park bikes throughout the city. There are special bike routes in the old city, along Artigas Boulevard, and in the city center. In 2013, a new bike route was added to connect university campuses. A bike-sharing program called Movete started in 2014, with many bike stations around the city.

Education

The University of the Republic is the largest university in Uruguay. It was started in Montevideo in 1849 and has many students. It has 14 different departments.

There are also private universities in Montevideo. ORT Uruguay became a university in 1996 and focuses on science and engineering. The University of Montevideo opened in 1986 and has many international partnerships.

Other well-known schools in Montevideo include the Crandon Institute, founded in 1879, and Stella Maris College, established in 1955. There are also many other schools, such as The British Schools of Montevideo and the Lycée Français de Montevideo.

Healthcare

Montevideo has both public and private health services. Public hospitals include Hospital de Clínicas "Dr. Manuel Quintela", which is attached to the University of the Republic, and Hospital Maciel, one of the oldest hospitals in Uruguay. There is also Hospital Pereira Rossell, the city's first pediatric hospital, and Hospital Vilardebó, the only psychiatric hospital in Montevideo.

Private healthcare is provided by many companies that have their own clinics and hospitals. Notable private facilities include the Hospital Británico and the Italian Hospital of Montevideo.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in South America

Twin towns and sister relations

Montevideo has friendly agreements with many cities around the world. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities". Some of them are:

• Arica, Chile
• Asunción, Paraguay
• Barcelona, Spain
• Berisso, Argentina
• Bluefields, Nicaragua
• Brasília, Brazil
• Cádiz, Spain
• Cali, Colombia
• Ceuta, Spain
• Cochabamba, Bolivia
• Córdoba, Argentina
• Coroico, Bolivia
• Cumaná, Venezuela
• Curitiba, Brazil
• El Aaiun, Western Sahara
• Esmeraldas, Ecuador
• Hurlingham, Argentina
• La Plata, Argentina
• Libertador, Venezuela
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Mar del Plata, Argentina
• Marsico Nuovo, Basilicata, Italy
• Melilla, Spain
• Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
• Montevideo, Minnesota, United States
• Rosario, Argentina
• Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Santa Cruz, Bolivia
• São Paulo, Brazil
• Satriano di Lucania, Basilicata, Italy
• Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
• Talamanca, Costa Rica
• Tambo de Mora, Peru
• Tianjin, China
• Tito, Basilicata, Italy
• Tumaco, Colombia
• Ulsan, South Korea
• Wrocław, Poland
• Wuhu, Anhui, China

Montevideo has been part of the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities since 12 October 1982.