Trinidad, Uruguay

Trinidad (Spanish pronunciation: [tɾiniˈðað]) is the capital city of Flores in southern Uruguay. It has a population of 21,429 (National Census 2011). Formerly it was called Santísima Trinidad de los Porongos, or simply Porongos. Its inhabitants are known as trinitarios or also as porongueros because the city is located near the Porongos stream.

Trinidad
Capital city
Plaza Constitución in Trinidad
Trinidad
Location in Uruguay
Coordinates: 33°32′0″S 56°53′0″W
Country Uruguay
Department Flores
FoundedApril 14, 1804
Founded byFray Manuel de Ubeda
Elevation
134 m (440 ft)
Population
 (2011 Census)
 • Total21,429
Time zoneUTC -3
Postal code
85000
Dial plan+598 4364 (+4 digits)
ClimateCfa

Location

Trinidad is located in the central area of Flores department, on Cuchilla Porongos, between the Sarandí and Porongos streams and on the intersection of Route 3 with Route 14.

Geography

The stream Arroyo Sarandí, flows 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of the city, while the stream Arroyo Porongos flows 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) east of the city, both tributaries of the river Río Yí.

Trinidad occupies an area of 5.5 square kilometres (2.1 sq mi) on an altitude of 134 metres (440 ft) above sea level.

History

Initially it was called "Porongos". Even to this day, the inhabitants of the city are referred to as either 'trinitarios' or 'porongueros'.

Porongos was founded on 18 July 1805 by General José Gervasio Artigas, the Uruguayan independence leader. It had acquired the status of "Pueblo" (village) before the Independence of Uruguay. It reached the status of "Villa" (town) under the name "Villa de Porongos". It was renamed to "Villa de la Santísima Trinidad" (Most Holy Trinity) and became capital of the newly created Department of Flores on 30 December 1885 by the Act of Ley Nº 1.854.[1] Its naming reflects a less secular period in the country's history.

In July 1903 it was renamed "Trinidad" and its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley Nº 2.829.[1]

Population

In 2011, Trinidad had a population of 21,429.[2] This makes Trinidad the largest city by far in the department of Flores.

YearPopulation
19088,317
196315,455
197517,597
198518,372
199620,031
200420,982
201121,429

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[1]

Tourism

A nature reserve with a variety of flora and fauna is situated 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) west of the city, on Route 3.

Nearby there are interesting prehistoric sites to visit: the Palace Cave and the rock paintings at Chamangá.

Places of worship
  • Most Holy Trinity Parish Church (Roman Catholic)
  • Our Lady of Luján Parish Church (Roman Catholic)

Politics

Following a sizeable meeting in Trinidad in 2007, the 'Vamos Uruguay' grouping within the Colorado Party was founded by Pedro Bordaberry Herrán, the front-running Presidential candidate of the Colorados for 2009. Following these beginnings in Trinidad, local chapters of the organization were subsequently established in many departments of Uruguay.

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Statistics of urban localities (1908–2004) (see also "Porongos" and "Santísima Trinidad")" (PDF). INE. 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  2. "Censos 2011 Cuadros Flores". INE. 2012. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
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