Parque del Plata
Encyclopedia
Parque del Plata is a seaside resort town of the Costa de Oro
in the Canelones Department
of southern Uruguay
. It is located on the Ruta Interbalnearia
, 49 kilometres (30.4 mi) east of Montevideo
, extending for 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) over the coast west of the stream Arroyo Solís Chico. The influence of Le Corbusier
can be seen in the modern town planning of this resort.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
, eucalyptus
, acacia
and other species, complemented by rough streets and avenues, designed as a large park. Today its streets are named by numbers (from north to south) and letters (from east to west) with the exception of Calle "A" which retains the name of Mario Ferreira, Calle "C", called General Lavalleja, Calle "9 ", whose name is Alfredo Zitarrosa and "24", República Argentina.
, biking, sailing
, fishing
surfing
boating
, etc. The town contains a Lyceum and two social clubs.
There are several versions of the origin of this name meaning "The Haven". 1. Constitutes one of the most remote. 2. As one of the more secluded areas of the resort in its infancy. 3. For a house which takes this name, with a sign ostentatiously visible in the garden.
Neighbourhood adjacent to the railway station. Formed during the last half century, the commercial hub of the area north of the resort.
Name that refers to the historic Paso de las Toscas located exactly where is the railway bridge over the Arroyo Solís Chico. The name was already known by the Surveyor Pedro Millán in 1728, when Bruno Mauricio de Zabala
came to this place.
The name comes from the holiday resort of Asociación de Funcionarios Portuarios (Port Officers' Association)
The site of the Rowing Club of Uruguay, with its convex metal sheds, where they kept boats, boats and other nautical items, on the banks of the creek. A private campground now operates on the site.
Meaning "High Dunes", the name is mentioned in documents in the 17th century. It was a succession of tall sand dunes that stood out throughout the region in a strip extending from the old Teatro de Verano, to Avenue 41. Sands were removed for the construction of the Ruta Interbalnearia
.
This moist environment flourished more than in other part of the pine plantation. The compactness of the pine forest and its durability over time earned it the name.
The name refers to a football field which was intended to be developed into a stadium. The dream did not materialize, but the name lives on in the adjacent neighbourhood.
Meaning "corner", the name comes from its location which forms a triangle or "corner" between Ruta Interbalnearia, Calle 2 and Calle 10.
According to one version, trees were planted in the area in the 1940s, several blocks from a variety of tree Melia azedarach
, known as "Paraíso" (Paradise). The plantation would not have prospered because of improper ground. Another version mentions the existence of a large sign at the intersection of Calle 2 with the current Ruta Interbalnearia. It outlined the following: “Bienvenidos a Parque del Plata. Paraíso del Mundo”.
The “Campamento de Educación Física” (Physical Education Camp), was and is a landmark of the resort. For decades hundreds of thousands of people, especially children and young people across the country, have enjoyed physical activities such as camping, walks, etc at the location. The neighbourhood takes its name from it.
They say it was a matter of great discussion among the surveyors of the Compañía Parque del Plata S.A.; the elimination of the huge dune that was located on the Diagonal 3. This street is one of the most important roads of the resort, communicating in a diagonal route north to south.
It is the most popular spot for walking for its panoramic and navigational activities, which develop at the edge of the creek. Naturally binds to the neighbourhood Barra del Solís.
Before the creation of the spa, the mouth of Solís Chico used to be blocked by the enormous accumulation of sand. When removed, this caused the overflow, creating a reservoir (embalse) in the area now occupied by the neighbourhood.
There was a strip of dunes where springs once flowed on its slopes. Today, despite the advance of civilization, the dunes are covered by forest and streets and buildings.
The name, meaning "The Plain" was created by the workers of the Compañía Parque del Plata S.A. to identify the area, which was very low, with wetland vegetation. It was also known as "Barrio 50 Metros", which is now given to an avenue with that name.
El Troncal was the name of an inn and lodge, located near the Calle 1 and Avenida Mario Ferreira (formerly Calle A). It was built in the 1930s and its log structure inspired the name which means "The Trunk".
This area was the original location of the local Social Club, shops and public offices. With the passing of the years the area became more westward.
It is the striking white and fine sands that form the dunes of this area, at the intersection of Rio de la Plata and the mouth of the Solís Chico which give it its name.
One of the oldest neighbourhoods, it is located at the mouth of Solís Chico and across from the extensive bar and sand spit that forms this channel in the Río de la Plata. At the end of the 19th century this bar was cut perpendicular to the stream, forming an island of sand, which gave rise to the name "Isla Blanca" or "Isla Fantasma" ("White Island" or "Ghost Island").
Costa de Oro
Costa de Oro is a 45 km long group of resort towns and beaches in Canelones Department, Uruguay, east of the Ciudad de la Costa. Until 19 October 1994 it also included all the resorts that became henceforth integrated under the name Ciudad de la Costa...
in the Canelones Department
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:...
of southern Uruguay
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...
. It is located on the Ruta Interbalnearia
Ruta Interbalnearia
Ruta Interbalnearia or Ruta Líber Seregni is a national route of Uruguay. It connects Montevideo with Punta del Este to the east along the coast. The road is approximately in length...
, 49 kilometres (30.4 mi) east of Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
, extending for 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) over the coast west of the stream Arroyo Solís Chico. The influence of Le Corbusier
Le Corbusier
Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier , was a Swiss-born French architect, designer, urbanist, writer and painter, famous for being one of the pioneers of what now is called modern architecture. He was born in Switzerland and became a French citizen in 1930...
can be seen in the modern town planning of this resort.
Population
In 2004 it had a population of 5,900.| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1963 | 1,521 |
| 1975 | 2,365 |
| 1985 | 3,229 |
| 1996 | 4,993 |
| 2004 | 5,900 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
Etymology
The name was created in 1938 by the Compañía Parque del Plata S.A. The name alludes to the vast forests of pinePine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
, eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
, acacia
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
and other species, complemented by rough streets and avenues, designed as a large park. Today its streets are named by numbers (from north to south) and letters (from east to west) with the exception of Calle "A" which retains the name of Mario Ferreira, Calle "C", called General Lavalleja, Calle "9 ", whose name is Alfredo Zitarrosa and "24", República Argentina.
Attractions
Its location on the tourist route makes it accessible, served by regular buses. The town has always had a floating population, so that the number of permanent residents, which average 6000, fluctuates constantly. At weekends this usually doubles and triples in the summer. Parque del Plata is characterized by homes with gardens and forests around them. Practiced in the area are hikingHiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, biking, sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
, 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....
surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
boating
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
, etc. The town contains a Lyceum and two social clubs.
Barrios
The following gazetteer is based on an ancient map of the internal use of the Compañía Parque del Plata S.A., which enlisted the names of different neighbourhoods and areas of the resort, serving as a reference to the creators of it.- (1) El Remanso:
There are several versions of the origin of this name meaning "The Haven". 1. Constitutes one of the most remote. 2. As one of the more secluded areas of the resort in its infancy. 3. For a house which takes this name, with a sign ostentatiously visible in the garden.
- (2) Estación Parque del Plata :
Neighbourhood adjacent to the railway station. Formed during the last half century, the commercial hub of the area north of the resort.
- (3) El Paso:
Name that refers to the historic Paso de las Toscas located exactly where is the railway bridge over the Arroyo Solís Chico. The name was already known by the Surveyor Pedro Millán in 1728, when Bruno Mauricio de Zabala
Bruno Mauricio de Zabala
Bruno Mauricio de Zabala was a Spanish soldier and colonial administrator. He was born in the slum of Zabala in the province of Biscay...
came to this place.
- (4) Los Portuarios:
The name comes from the holiday resort of Asociación de Funcionarios Portuarios (Port Officers' Association)
- (5) Rowing:
The site of the Rowing Club of Uruguay, with its convex metal sheds, where they kept boats, boats and other nautical items, on the banks of the creek. A private campground now operates on the site.
- (6) Médanos Altos
Meaning "High Dunes", the name is mentioned in documents in the 17th century. It was a succession of tall sand dunes that stood out throughout the region in a strip extending from the old Teatro de Verano, to Avenue 41. Sands were removed for the construction of the Ruta Interbalnearia
Ruta Interbalnearia
Ruta Interbalnearia or Ruta Líber Seregni is a national route of Uruguay. It connects Montevideo with Punta del Este to the east along the coast. The road is approximately in length...
.
- (7) Pinares del Plata
This moist environment flourished more than in other part of the pine plantation. The compactness of the pine forest and its durability over time earned it the name.
- (8) Estadio
The name refers to a football field which was intended to be developed into a stadium. The dream did not materialize, but the name lives on in the adjacent neighbourhood.
- (9) Barrio Rincón or Rinconada.
Meaning "corner", the name comes from its location which forms a triangle or "corner" between Ruta Interbalnearia, Calle 2 and Calle 10.
- (10) Los Paraísos
According to one version, trees were planted in the area in the 1940s, several blocks from a variety of tree Melia azedarach
Melia azedarach
Melia azedarach is a species of deciduous tree in the mahogany family, Meliaceae, that is native to Pakistan, India, Indochina Southeast Asia and Australia...
, known as "Paraíso" (Paradise). The plantation would not have prospered because of improper ground. Another version mentions the existence of a large sign at the intersection of Calle 2 with the current Ruta Interbalnearia. It outlined the following: “Bienvenidos a Parque del Plata. Paraíso del Mundo”.
- (11) Barrio Campamento
The “Campamento de Educación Física” (Physical Education Camp), was and is a landmark of the resort. For decades hundreds of thousands of people, especially children and young people across the country, have enjoyed physical activities such as camping, walks, etc at the location. The neighbourhood takes its name from it.
- (12) Diagonal
They say it was a matter of great discussion among the surveyors of the Compañía Parque del Plata S.A.; the elimination of the huge dune that was located on the Diagonal 3. This street is one of the most important roads of the resort, communicating in a diagonal route north to south.
- (13) Paseo del Solís
It is the most popular spot for walking for its panoramic and navigational activities, which develop at the edge of the creek. Naturally binds to the neighbourhood Barra del Solís.
- (14) El Embalse
Before the creation of the spa, the mouth of Solís Chico used to be blocked by the enormous accumulation of sand. When removed, this caused the overflow, creating a reservoir (embalse) in the area now occupied by the neighbourhood.
- (15) Médanos del Manantial
There was a strip of dunes where springs once flowed on its slopes. Today, despite the advance of civilization, the dunes are covered by forest and streets and buildings.
- (16) La Llanada
The name, meaning "The Plain" was created by the workers of the Compañía Parque del Plata S.A. to identify the area, which was very low, with wetland vegetation. It was also known as "Barrio 50 Metros", which is now given to an avenue with that name.
- (17) El Troncal
El Troncal was the name of an inn and lodge, located near the Calle 1 and Avenida Mario Ferreira (formerly Calle A). It was built in the 1930s and its log structure inspired the name which means "The Trunk".
- (18) Centro
This area was the original location of the local Social Club, shops and public offices. With the passing of the years the area became more westward.
- (19) Dunas del Plata
It is the striking white and fine sands that form the dunes of this area, at the intersection of Rio de la Plata and the mouth of the Solís Chico which give it its name.
- (20) Barra del Solís
One of the oldest neighbourhoods, it is located at the mouth of Solís Chico and across from the extensive bar and sand spit that forms this channel in the Río de la Plata. At the end of the 19th century this bar was cut perpendicular to the stream, forming an island of sand, which gave rise to the name "Isla Blanca" or "Isla Fantasma" ("White Island" or "Ghost Island").