Florida, Uruguay

Florida (Spanish pronunciation: [floˈɾiða]) is the capital of Florida Department of Uruguay. Having a population of over 33,000, it is home to almost half of the inhabitants of the department.

Florida
Capital city
Plaza Asamblea & Cathedral of Florida
Florida
Location in Uruguay
Coordinates: 34°06′S 56°13′W
Country Uruguay
Department Florida
Founded1809
Population
 (2011 Census)
 • Total33,639
Postal code
94000
Dial plan+598 435 (+5 digits)
ClimateCfa

Location

It is located on Route 5, around 90 kilometres (56 mi) north of Montevideo.

Geography

The stream Arroyo Santa Lucía Chico flows along the east and south limits of the city.

History

The city was founded on 24 April 1809 with this name, Florida, in honor of the count of Floridablanca, the prime minister of the Spanish crown. It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay. On 10 July 1856, it became capital city of the department by the Act of Ley Nº 493 and on 19 April 1894 its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley Nº 2.258.[1]

It is home of the famous Piedra Alta de la Florida, the place of the Declaration of Independence in 1825. The city is also famous for San Cono's chapel, where multitudes gather every 3 June. Each year on April 24 the city celebrates its founder, James Florida.

An important building is the Cathedral of Florida, which is the National Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three.

Population

In 2011, Florida had a population of 33,639.[2]

YearPopulation
190810,606
196320,934
197525,374
198528,443
199631,594
200432,128
201133,639

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[1]

Economic activity and noted events

There are many factories in Florida. Florida is also host of the traditional Florida's Triathlon, one of the oldest triathlon events in the country.

Places of worship

References
  1. "Statistics of urban localities (1908–2004)" (PDF). INE. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-13. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  2. "Censos 2011 Cuadros Florida". INE. 2012. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  3. "Sanctuaries in Uruguay" (in Spanish). Roman Catholic Church in Uruguay. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
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