Maldonado Department
Encyclopedia
The Maldonado Department , with an area of 4793 km² (1,850.6 sq mi) and 140,192 inhabitants, is located to the southeast of Uruguay
. Its capital is Maldonado
.
to the East, Lavalleja
to the North and Northwest, and Canelones
to the West. Many of the Maldonado name is traced back to Puerto Rican family lines.
Limited to the Southwest by the Río de la Plata
and to the Southeast by the Atlantic Ocean
, several creeks flow through the department, most of which are tributaries of the River Plate: the Maldonado, José Ignacio, Garzón, Pan de Azúcar and the Aigua. Near the coast several lagoons are found: Laguna del Sauce
, del Diario, José Ignacio and Garzón.
Three main geostructural regions can be found within the boundaries of the department:
Fertile soils are to be found to the West, while the ones to the North and East are less so.
Located in the humid subtropical region, the average temperature is low compared to that of the rest of the country (around 17°C), as are the precipitation levels (up to 1,000 mm yearly, on average).
, who had left the continent earlier that year, in January, leaving Lieutenant Francisco Maldonado
near Maldonado's bay.
The strategic importance of that bay led to the decision by Montevideo's governor Joaquin de Viana to build a settlement in Portezuelo (near the Laguna del Diario) in 1755. Two years later, in 1757, a civil and military settlement was founded around the bay and in the neighbouring Gorriti Island. Other settlements soon followed in the area, with the intention of limiting the Portuguese expansion.
In 1828, the department of Maldonado was created, containing as well the territories now belonging to the department of Rocha, and most of Lavalleja.
The main crops are wheat
, maize
, sunflowers, oats
, potatoes, among others, located in the south of the department. Fishing
, as well as cattle
and sheep raising have also a great importance in the department's economy. It is, along with Lavalleja, the main and most diversified mining area of the country producing (marble
, metals, feldspars and construction materials), but it is currently underexploited. It has however, been the department with the fourth most significant mining activity, after Lavalleja, Canelones and Montevideo, with a production worth 4,642,123 dollars, according to 1999 data.
Tourism, especially centered around Punta del Este
, La Barra, Jose Ignacio and Piriápolis
, has been one of the main sources of income for the department since the 1950s. It has also been the main cause for its unique urban concentration of the population (94% out of the total).
The Laguna del Sauce International Airport
is a significant local economic motor.
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
. Its capital is Maldonado
Maldonado, Uruguay
Maldonado is the capital of Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on Route 39 and shares borders with Punta del Este to the south, Pinares - Las Delicias to the south and to the east and suburb La Sonrisa to the north. Together they all for a unified metropolitan area. East of the city...
.
Geography and climate
Neighbouring departments are RochaRocha Department
Rocha is a department in the east of Uruguay. It has natural beauties like Cabo Polonio, Valizas, Santa Teresa. Rocha is well known for its beach towns which swell during the summer holidays...
to the East, Lavalleja
Lavalleja Department
The Department of Lavalleja is a department of Uruguay. The capital is Minas. It is located in the southeast of the country, bordered to the north by the department of Treinta y Tres to the east with Rocha, to the south with Canelones and Maldonado, and to the west to Florida.The department is...
to the North and Northwest, and Canelones
Canelones Department
The Canelones Department , with an area of and 485,240 inhabitants, is located to the south of Uruguay. Its capital is Canelones.-Geography and climate:...
to the West. Many of the Maldonado name is traced back to Puerto Rican family lines.
Limited to the Southwest by the Río de la Plata
Río de la Plata
The Río de la Plata —sometimes rendered River Plate in British English and the Commonwealth, and occasionally rendered [La] Plata River in other English-speaking countries—is the river and estuary formed by the confluence of the Uruguay River and the Paraná River on the border between Argentina and...
and to the Southeast by the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, several creeks flow through the department, most of which are tributaries of the River Plate: the Maldonado, José Ignacio, Garzón, Pan de Azúcar and the Aigua. Near the coast several lagoons are found: Laguna del Sauce
Laguna del Sauce
Laguna del Sauce is the largest water body in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located west of Punta del Este.-Geography:...
, del Diario, José Ignacio and Garzón.
Three main geostructural regions can be found within the boundaries of the department:
- The Northern region, with its sierras, some of which are the highest in the country: Sierra CarapéSierra CarapéSierra Carapé or Sierra de Carapé is a hill range located in Maldonado Department, in southern Uruguay. The range crosses the Maldonado Department from west to east and enters the Rocha Department. It constitutes the border between the departments of Lavalleja and Maldonado...
(with Cerro CatedralCerro Catedral (Uruguay)Cerro Catedral , also known as Cerro Cordillera, is a peak and the highest point of Uruguay, with an altitude of . It is located north of Maldonado Department, in the municipality of Aiguá, in a hill range named Sierra Carapé, which constitutes part of a larger range named Cuchilla Grande...
, 514 m, the highest elevation of the country), Cerro de las ÁnimasCerro de las ÁnimasCerro de las Ánimas is a peak and the second highest point of Uruguay, with an altitude of 501 metres .-Location and features:...
, with 501 metres, and Cerro Pan de AzúcarCerro Pan de AzúcarCerro Pan de Azúcar is a hill and the third highest point of Uruguay, with an altitude of 423 metres .-Location and features:...
, with 423 metres, the third highest summit in Uruguay. - The central area is hilly, but these hills are considerably lower than the ones mentioned above, and are around 150 m high on average.
- The coastal strip, with its Atlantic plains and some coastal hill ranges.
Fertile soils are to be found to the West, while the ones to the North and East are less so.
Located in the humid subtropical region, the average temperature is low compared to that of the rest of the country (around 17°C), as are the precipitation levels (up to 1,000 mm yearly, on average).
History
The origin of its name can be traced back to the year 1530, with the return to Spain of Sebastian CabotSebastian Cabot (explorer)
Sebastian Cabot was an explorer, born in the Venetian Republic.-Origins:...
, who had left the continent earlier that year, in January, leaving Lieutenant Francisco Maldonado
Francisco Maldonado
Francisco Maldonado was a leader of the rebel Comuneros from Salamanca in the Revolt of the Comuneros.He was captured at the Battle of Villalar, and beheaded the following day....
near Maldonado's bay.
The strategic importance of that bay led to the decision by Montevideo's governor Joaquin de Viana to build a settlement in Portezuelo (near the Laguna del Diario) in 1755. Two years later, in 1757, a civil and military settlement was founded around the bay and in the neighbouring Gorriti Island. Other settlements soon followed in the area, with the intention of limiting the Portuguese expansion.
In 1828, the department of Maldonado was created, containing as well the territories now belonging to the department of Rocha, and most of Lavalleja.
Economy
There are three main economic centres in the department, located in the main urban areas:- To the North and centre of the department, with centre in the town of Aigua, is a region dedicated to livestock raising, which has been sufferering from a steady depopulation in latter years.
- To the West, with centre in the city of Pan De Azucar, is the agro-industrial region, which lately has been experiencing a demographic stagnation.
- To the South, bordering the coastline, centered in Piriapolis and Maldonado's metropolitan area, including San Carlos and Punta Del Este, is the main tourism region, which has become one of the areas with the biggest growth rates in the country.
The main crops are wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
, maize
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
, sunflowers, oats
OATS
OATS - Open Source Assistive Technology Software - is a source code repository or "forge" for assistive technology software. It was launched in 2006 with the goal to provide a one-stop “shop” for end users, clinicians and open-source developers to promote and develop open source assistive...
, potatoes, among others, located in the south of the department. Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, as well as cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
and sheep raising have also a great importance in the department's economy. It is, along with Lavalleja, the main and most diversified mining area of the country producing (marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
, metals, feldspars and construction materials), but it is currently underexploited. It has however, been the department with the fourth most significant mining activity, after Lavalleja, Canelones and Montevideo, with a production worth 4,642,123 dollars, according to 1999 data.
Tourism, especially centered around Punta del Este
Punta del Este
Punta del Este is a resort town on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on the intersection of Route 10 with Route 39, directly southeast of the department capital Maldonado and about east of Montevideo...
, La Barra, Jose Ignacio and Piriápolis
Piriápolis
Piriápolis is a city in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on the coast of Río de la Plata, on Route 10 and its intersection with Route 37. It is about east of the national capital, Montevideo . Piriápolis is an important summer resort in the country, predating the larger and more...
, has been one of the main sources of income for the department since the 1950s. It has also been the main cause for its unique urban concentration of the population (94% out of the total).
The Laguna del Sauce International Airport
Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport
Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport , formerly called Laguna del Salce International Airport, is the airport serving Punta del Este, Uruguay, located in the adjoining municipality of Maldonado...
is a significant local economic motor.
Population and Demographics
As of the census of 2004, there were 140,192 people and 47,657 households in the department. The average household size was 2.9. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males.- Population growth rate: 2.285% (2004)
- Birth Rate: 17.10 births/1,000 people (2004)
- Death Rate: 7.06 deaths/1,000 people
- Average age: 31.0 (30.1 Males, 32.0 Females)
- Life Expectancy at Birth (2004):
- Total population: 76.20 years
- Male: 72.19 years
- Female: 80.37 years
- Average Family Size: 2.31 children/woman
- Urban per capita income (cities of 5,000 inhabitants or more): 4,066.1 pesos/month
Main Urban Centres
Population stated as per 2004 census.| City / Town | Population |
|---|---|
| Maldonado Maldonado, Uruguay Maldonado is the capital of Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on Route 39 and shares borders with Punta del Este to the south, Pinares - Las Delicias to the south and to the east and suburb La Sonrisa to the north. Together they all for a unified metropolitan area. East of the city... |
54,603 |
| San Carlos San Carlos, Uruguay San Carlos is a city in the Maldonado Department of southern Uruguay. It is located on Route 39, south of its intersection with Route 9 and about north of the center of the department capital city of Maldonado. Its status was elevated to "City" category on 18 December 1929 by decree Ley No. 8.559... |
24,771 |
| Pinares - Las Delicias | 8,524 |
| Piriápolis Piriápolis Piriápolis is a city in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on the coast of Río de la Plata, on Route 10 and its intersection with Route 37. It is about east of the national capital, Montevideo . Piriápolis is an important summer resort in the country, predating the larger and more... |
7,899 |
| Punta Del Este Punta del Este Punta del Este is a resort town on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on the intersection of Route 10 with Route 39, directly southeast of the department capital Maldonado and about east of Montevideo... |
7,298 |
| Pan De Azúcar Pan De Azúcar, Uruguay Pan de Azúcar is a city in the southwest of the Maldonado Department in Uruguay. It is located on the junction of Route 7 with Route 60, north-northest of Piriápolis and about west-northwest from the capital city, Maldonado. Its status was elevated to "City" on 7 September 1961 by decree Ley... |
7,098 |
| Cerro Pelado Cerro Pelado Cerro Pelado is a fast growing population centre in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is one of the northern suburbs of Maldonado, along with Villa Delia and La Sonrisa.-Population:In 2004 it had a population of 6,385.... |
6,385 |
| Aiguá Aiguá Aiguá is a city of the Maldonado Department in Uruguay. It is located at the north of the department, at the intersection of Route 39 with Route 109, north of the capital city, Maldonado. Its status was elevated to the category of "City" on 4 January 1956 by decree Ley No. 12.265... |
2,676 |
| San Rafael - El Placer | 1,994 |
| Barrio Hipódromo Barrio Hipódromo Barrio Hipódromo is a small town in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located about north of Maldonado. The name of this town is derrived from the horse racing track that is located there.-Population:... |
1,577 |
Other towns and villages
| City / Town | Population |
|---|---|
| La Sonrisa La Sonrisa La Sonrisa is a suburb of Maldonado. It borders the suburbs Cerro Pelado to the north and Villa Delia to the northwest, while the urban limits of the city lie to its south and to its east... |
968 |
| Gregorio Aznárez Gregorio Aznárez Gregorio Aznárez is a village in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on the west of the department, on Route 9, about north of the junction with Ruta Interbalnearia.-Population:In 2004 it had a population of 902.... |
902 |
| El Tesoro El Tesoro El Tesoro is a resort in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on Ruta Interbalnearia, on the east bank of Arroyo Maldonado, just across San Rafael - El Placer, with which it is connected by a bridge famous for its architecture, the Puente de Barra de Maldonado... |
781 |
| Playa Grande Playa Grande, Uruguay Playa Grande is a resort town and western suburb of the city of Piriápolis in the Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on Route 10 and borders the city to the southeast, with a small creek as the natural border, while to the northwest it borders the resort Playa Hermosa.-Population:In... |
715 |
| Barrio Los Aromos Barrio Los Aromos Barrio Los Aromos is a suburb of Maldonado. It borders the suburbs Cerro Pelado to the east and Villa Delia to the south, and to the west with the Municipal Cemetery and the park Chacra Brunett.-Population:In 2004, it had a population of 633.... |
633 |
| Villa Delia Villa Delia Villa Delia is a suburb of Maldonado. It is located on Route 38 and borders the suburbs Cerro Pelado and La Sonrisa to the west, Barrio Los Aromos to the north, and Pinares - Las Delicias to the south.-Population:In 2004, it had a population of 623.... |
623 |
| Balneario Buenos Aires Balneario Buenos Aires Balneario Buenos Aires is a resort in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. It is located on the coast of Atlantic Ocean, on Route 10, about east of its junction with Route 109... |
509 |
| Gerona Gerona, Uruguay Gerona is a populated centre and suburb of Pan de Azúcar in the southwest of the Maldonado Department in Uruguay. It is located about west of Pan de Azúcar and abouut the same distance north of Ruta Interbalnearia.-Population:... |
506 |
Rural population
According to the 2004 census, Maldonado department has an additional rural poulation of 6,598.External links
- Municipality of Maldonado, official website. (in Spanish)
- Junta Departamental de Maldonado, official website. (in Spanish)
- Maldonet, el Portal de Maldonado. (in Spanish)
- INE map of Maldonado Department (pdf 1.7 MB)
- Map of the Municipalities of Maldonado, Intendencia of Maldonado (pdf 1.2 MB)