San Javier, Uruguay
Encyclopedia
San Javier is a small town (villa) situated on the east bank of the river Río Uruguay in the Río Negro Department
of Uruguay
. It was founded by Russian settlers in 1913. It is located 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) west of Route 24, 95 kilometres (59 mi) north of the department capital Fray Bentos
, 55 kilometres (34.2 mi) west of Young
and 50 kilometres (31.1 mi) south of Paysandú
, the capital of Paysandú Department
. Its status was elevated to "Villa" on 17 November 1964 by decree Ley No. 13.299. Russian is the second official language after Spanish.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
and were seeking religious freedom, which was denied to them under the Czar. Their leader, Basilio Lubkov had been imprisoned in Russia as a religious dissident. The settlers introduced the sunflower
, as well as some advanced agricultural techniques to Uruguay. They constructed a flour mill and the first sunflower oil
producing plant in the country.
, a Russian-Uruguayan medical doctor who was tortured and later killed by the Uruguayan military. For some he is a hero and a symbol of internal struggle in Uruguay.
Today the inhabitants of San Javier are proud to have maintained many of their traditions, including food, dances, embroidery and music. They celebrate a festival on 27 July, the date of foundation, with a feast of traditional food, music and dancing. Over the years, Russian marriages have been memorable events with three days of festivities that include dancing, singing, and traditional meals.
as a Wetland of International Significance. Esteros de Farrapos which is 17,496 Ha, includes 24 islands. It is the last known refuge for the Puma in Uruguay, and the only protected area where Maned Wolf
have been recorded. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the park, 30 mammals, 14 reptiles, 8 amphibians and many butterflies.
Tourism is not yet well developed in the park, however there is limited accommodation in San Javier, and a well-equipped camping area at nearby Puerto Viejo (‘Old Port’). Activities including fishing, boating, horse riding and birdwatching. Boats are available for hire, as well as experienced nature guides.
Río Negro Department
The Río Negro Department is an administrative division of Uruguay located in the west of the country. It has 53,989 inhabitants and an area of 9,282 km² . Its capital is Fray Bentos.-Geography and climate:...
of 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 was founded by Russian settlers in 1913. It is located 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) west of Route 24, 95 kilometres (59 mi) north of the department capital Fray Bentos
Fray Bentos
Fray Bentos, the capital of the Río Negro Department of western Uruguay, is a port on the Uruguay River. It is close to the border with Argentina and about due north of Buenos Aires.-History:...
, 55 kilometres (34.2 mi) west of Young
Young, Uruguay
Young is a city in the centre of Río Negro Department of Uruguay. It is located on Route 3, about northwest of Trinidad, the capital of Flores Department. Its status was elevated to the category of "City" on 15 October 1963 by decree Ley No...
and 50 kilometres (31.1 mi) south of Paysandú
Paysandú
-Transportation:The city is served by Tydeo Larre Borges International Airport.-Climate:Paysandú has a humid subtropical climate, described by the Köppen climate classification as Cfa. Summers are warm to hot and winters are cool, with the occurrence of frosts and fog...
, the capital of Paysandú Department
Paysandú Department
Paysandú Department is a department of Uruguay. Its capital is Paysandú. Its name origin is debated but is likely to be of charrua origin.The fertile soils of Paysandú have encouraged much agricultural development. Livestock raising is one of the principal agricultural activities, with cattle...
. Its status was elevated to "Villa" on 17 November 1964 by decree Ley No. 13.299. Russian is the second official language after Spanish.
Population
In 2004, San Javier had a population of 1,680, of which 98% were of Russian descent.| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1963 | 1,158 |
| 1975 | 940 |
| 1985 | 1,461 |
| 1996 | 1,358 |
| 2004 | 1,680 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
History
The town was founded by 300 families of Russian settlers on 27 July 1913. They belonged to the Russian sect New IsraelNew Israel
New Israel was one of the Sektanstvo new religious movements that grew and expanded in the Russian Empire in the late 19th to early 20th century, a branch of the Postniki . The movement was the result of the schisms that split the "Old Israel" sect after the death of Perfil Katasonov...
and were seeking religious freedom, which was denied to them under the Czar. Their leader, Basilio Lubkov had been imprisoned in Russia as a religious dissident. The settlers introduced the sunflower
Sunflower
Sunflower is an annual plant native to the Americas. It possesses a large inflorescence . The sunflower got its name from its huge, fiery blooms, whose shape and image is often used to depict the sun. The sunflower has a rough, hairy stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves and circular heads...
, as well as some advanced agricultural techniques to Uruguay. They constructed a flour mill and the first sunflower oil
Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil is the non-volatile oil expressed from sunflower seeds. Sunflower oil is commonly used in food as a frying oil, and in cosmetic formulations as an emollient. Sunflower oil was first industrially produced in 1835 in the Russian Empire.- Composition :Sunflower oil is mainly a...
producing plant in the country.
Military Dictatorship (1973-84)
During the Uruguayan military dictatorship (1973–84) the Russian inhabitants were persecuted, as the military saw each one as a possible communist sympathizer. Many residents stopped speaking Russian, and most Russian books were destroyed. The cultural centre Máximo Gorki—where music, dance and other cultural activities were held—was closed, and traditional dance costumes were burnt. In 1984, the town became known throughout Uruguay for the execution of Vladimir RoslikVladimir Roslik
Vladimir Roslik was a doctor and a member of the Communist Party of Uruguay during the Uruguayan military dictatorship of 1974-1984....
, a Russian-Uruguayan medical doctor who was tortured and later killed by the Uruguayan military. For some he is a hero and a symbol of internal struggle in Uruguay.
Return of Democracy
With the restoration of democracy by 1989, the cultural centre Máximo Gorki has again been revived as a focal point for cultural activities in the town. It is home of the traditional dance group Kalinka, who have won many prizes in Uruguayan dance competitions.Today the inhabitants of San Javier are proud to have maintained many of their traditions, including food, dances, embroidery and music. They celebrate a festival on 27 July, the date of foundation, with a feast of traditional food, music and dancing. Over the years, Russian marriages have been memorable events with three days of festivities that include dancing, singing, and traditional meals.
Esteros de Farrapos National Park
The town is one of two access points for the new Parco National Esteros de Farrapos and Islands of the Uruguay River, which is recognised under the Ramsar ConventionRamsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, i.e., to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural,...
as a Wetland of International Significance. Esteros de Farrapos which is 17,496 Ha, includes 24 islands. It is the last known refuge for the Puma in Uruguay, and the only protected area where Maned Wolf
Maned Wolf
The maned wolf is the largest canid of South America, resembling a large fox with reddish fur.This mammal is found in open and semi-open habitats, especially grasslands with scattered bushes and trees, in south, central-west and south-eastern Brazil The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is the...
have been recorded. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the park, 30 mammals, 14 reptiles, 8 amphibians and many butterflies.
Tourism is not yet well developed in the park, however there is limited accommodation in San Javier, and a well-equipped camping area at nearby Puerto Viejo (‘Old Port’). Activities including fishing, boating, horse riding and birdwatching. Boats are available for hire, as well as experienced nature guides.