Mercedes () is the capital and largest city of the
department of
Soriano in
Uruguay
Uruguay (; ), officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay ( es, República Oriental del Uruguay), is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast; while bordering ...
. 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
, settlement_type = Capital city
, image_skyline = Basilica del Sanctísimo Sacramento.jpg
, imagesize =
, image_caption = Basílica del Santísimo Sacramento
, pushpin_map = Uruguay
, subdivisio ...
of
Colonia Department
Colonia () is a department of southwestern Uruguay. Its capital is Colonia del Sacramento, the country's second oldest city.
Weather
Colonia has an annual average temperature of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F). In winter it has an average temperat ...
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
Villa Soriano is a town in the Soriano Department of Uruguay. Historically, it was also known as Santo Domingo de Soriano. It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay.
Location
It is located on the northwest en ...
.
[
]
Climate
Population
In 2011, it had a population of about 41,974
Places of worship
* Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy (Roman Catholic
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
* Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
* Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
)
* 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)
Sports
Mercedes was one of the host cities of the official 1967 Basketball World Cup.
Notable people
* Ricardo Paseyro (1925–2009), diplomat and poet
References
External links
INE map of Mercedes
{{Authority control
Populated places in the Soriano Department
Populated places established in 1788
1788 establishments in the Spanish Empire