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South AmericaUruguayMontevideo Department

Montevideo

Montevideo Department, Uruguay · South America

About Montevideo

Montevideo is worth a stop: 25 minutes from Paso de Carrasco, 2km from Mercado del Puerto.

Montevideo is a major city located in Montevideo Department, Uruguay. With a population of 1,270,737, it is one of the largest urban centers in South America.

On a road trip, Montevideo sits in Uruguay, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Montevideo time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Montevideo to your route.

About Montevideo

Montevideo (, US also ; Spanish: [monteβiˈðeo] ), is the capital and largest city of Uruguay. As of the 2023 census, the city proper has a population of 1,287,452, making up about 36.8% of the country's total population, in an area of 201 square kilometers (78 sq mi). Montevideo is situated on the southern coast of

Read more the country, on the northeastern bank of the Río de la Plata. A Portuguese garrison was established at the site of modern-day Montevideo in November 1723. The Portuguese garrison was expelled in February 1724 by a Spanish soldier, Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst the Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region. There is no official document establishing the foundation of the city, but the "Diario" of Bruno Mauricio de Zabala officially mentions the date of 24 December 1726 as the foundation, corroborated by presential witnesses. The complete independence from Buenos Aires as a real city was not reached until 1 January 1730. It was also under brief British rule in 1807, but eventually the city was retaken by Spanish criollos who defeated the British invasions of the River Plate. Montevideo is the seat of the administrative headquarters of Mercosur and ALADI, Latin America's leading trade blocs, a position that has entailed comparisons to the role of Brussels in Europe. The 2019 Mercer report on quality of life rated Montevideo first in Latin America, a rank the city has consistently held since 2005. As of 2010, Montevideo was the 19th largest city economy in the continent and 9th highest income earner among major cities. In 2022, it has a projected GDP of $53.9 billion, with a per capita of $30,148. In 2018, it was classified as a beta global city, ranking eighth in Latin America and 84th in the world. Montevideo hosted every match during the first FIFA World Cup in 1930. Described as a "vibrant, eclectic place with a rich cultural life", and "a thriving tech center and entrepreneurial culture", Montevideo ranked eighth in Latin America in the 2013 MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index. The city features historic European architecture, and is considered one of the cities with the most art deco influence. It is the hub of commerce and higher education in Uruguay as well as its chief port and financial hub, anchoring a metropolitan area with a population of around 2 million.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Montevideo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Montevideo?

Montevideo offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Montevideo?

Plan your road trip to Montevideo with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Montevideo as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Montevideo located?

Montevideo is located in Montevideo Department, Uruguay, South America. The coordinates are -34.9033 latitude, -56.1882 longitude.

What is the population of Montevideo?

Montevideo has a population of approximately 1,270,737 people, making it a major city in Uruguay.

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Quick Information

Population
1,270,737
Continent
South America
Country
Uruguay
Region
Montevideo Department
Timezone
America/Montevideo
Coordinates
-34.9033, -56.1882

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Uruguay

Police
911
Ambulance
911
Fire
911
Driving side
right
Full driving guide for Uruguay

Tags

South AmericaUruguayMontevideo DepartmentMajor City

Worth the detour from Montevideo

1 notable place within an hour's drive.

restaurant

Mercado del Puerto

An 1868 iron-framed market hall in Montevideo's old port, now wall-to-wall parrillas grilling over open wood fires, where the traditional order is asado with a medio y medio.

2 km · about 5 min drive

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Montevideo.

Paso de Carrasco

🇺🇾 Uruguay

13 km awayPop. 15,393

Barra de Carrasco

🇺🇾 Uruguay

15 km awayPop. 5,410

La Paz

🇺🇾 Uruguay

16 km awayPop. 19,913

Pajas Blancas

🇺🇾 Uruguay

17 km awayPop. 2,000

Colonia Nicolich

🇺🇾 Uruguay

18 km awayPop. 8,902

Santiago Vázquez

🇺🇾 Uruguay

19 km awayPop. 1,468

Las Piedras

🇺🇾 Uruguay

19 km awayPop. 69,682

Toledo

🇺🇾 Uruguay

20 km awayPop. 4,397

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence