Introduction :
Montevideo is the capital city and largest city of Uruguay housing over 1.3 million people which is half of the country’s population. Montevideo has an area of 530 square km and is situated in the southern coast of the country. The city is being described as having the highest quality of life in Latin America with its rich architechtural and cultural heritage influenced by its Spanish, Portugese, Italian, French and British immigrants. Montevideo is also famous for its giant steaks and is described by some as a place where beef costs lesser than chicken and their local steak sandwiches
Streets in Ciuda Vieja
Image attribution to cobra libre @ Flickr
The Municipal of Montevideo
Image attribution to emiliagarassino @ Flickr
Chivitos is one the famous local foods in the city
Image attribution to edkohler @ Flickr
Some attractions :
Ciudad Vieja – Oldest part of the city and the main nightlife centre in Montevideo. It is also host to the Mercado del Puerto where traditional Uruguayan food and beverages are being sold there
Teatro Solis – Oldest theatre in the country built in 1856 located in the Ciudad Vieja’s Plaza Independencia
Barrio Reus – Known for its unique modernist architecture and colorful houses
Palacio Salvo – Once the highest building in South America, you can take a life to the top for free to have an excellent view of Montevideo
Parque Prado – The botanic garden of Montevideo with a rose garden, fountains and monuments
Pocitos beach – Beautiful and clean beach along the highrise apartments
Zabala Square
Image attribution to blmrch @ Flickr
The coast line at Pocitos
Image attribution to José Porras @ Wiki
Museo Torres Garcia displays the most works of the most prominent Uruguyan artist
Image attribution to José Porras @ Wiki
History :
The original natives residing in Montevideo are the Charrua Indians who later killed a Spanish explorer when he arrived in the region on 1516. Montevideo was later founded by the Spanish in the early 18th century as a military stronghold. The city of Montevideo was established on 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala and was known as San Felipe y Santiago de Montevideo later shortened to Montevideo. It was a strategic move over the dispute at the platine region with the Portugese. Decades later , it came under brief British rule in 1807 during the Battle of Montevideo but was recaptured by the Spanish forces in the same year. In 1828, Montevideo gained liberation from the Spanish through Jose Artigas who went on to become the national hero of Uruguay, as well as help from Argentina.
The botanic gardens of Montevideo
Image attribution to Hoverfish @ Wiki
Teatro solis at night
Image attribution to travel_aficionado @ Flickr
The Palacio Salvo used to be the highest building in all of South America
Image attribution to travel_aficionado @ Flickr
Getting there :
The nearest airport to Montevideo is the Carrasco International Airport which is 19 km away from the city of Montevideo.