View source for Montevideo

{{Short description|Capital and largest city of Uruguay}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Montevideo
| other_name         = Ciudad de San Felipe y Santiago de Montevideo
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]]
| motto              = Con libertad ni ofendo ni temo<br /><small>With liberty I offend not, I fear not.</small>
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
 | perrow         = 1/2/3/2
 | border         = infobox
 | total_width    = 300
 | caption_align  = center
 | image1   = The City (198895997) (cropped).jpg
 | caption1 = Aerial view of [[Centro, Montevideo|Centro]], [[Rambla of Montevideo|Rambla]] and [[Barrio Sur, Montevideo|Barrio Sur]]
 | image2   = PALACIO LEGISLATIVO 01.JPG
 | caption2 = [[Legislative Palace of Uruguay]]
 | image3   = Montevideo_Teatro_Solis_1030762PSD.jpg
 | caption3 = [[Solís Theatre]]
 | image4   = Obelisco_de_los_Constituyentes_de_1830.JPG
 | caption4 = [[Obelisk of Montevideo]]
 | image5   = Palaciosalvouruguay.jpg
 | caption5 = [[Palacio Salvo]]
 | image6   = TorredeANTEL.jpg
 | caption6 = [[Telecommunications Tower (Montevideo)|Antel Tower]]
 | image7   = Bay_View_(139649779).jpeg
 | caption7 = [[Fortaleza del Cerro]]
 | image8   = Estación Central General Artigas 2011.jpg
 | caption8 = [[General Artigas railway station]]
 | color    = green
}}
| image_size         = 275
| image_shield       = Escudo Montevideo.png
| image_flag         = 
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 9
| pushpin_map        = Uruguay# South America
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| pushpin_label_position = top
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Uruguay}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Departments of Uruguay|Department]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Montevideo Department|Montevideo]]
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government|Strong mayor]]<ref name="Tzfadia2005jndjbcjdbiw">{{Cite journal |last=Tzfadia |first=Erez |year=2005 |title=Local autonomy and immigration: Mayoral policy-making in peripheral towns in Israel |journal=Space and Polity |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=167–184 |doi=10.1080/13562570500305052 |issn=1356-2576 |s2cid=143638751}}</ref>
| leader_title       = [[Municipal Intendant of Montevideo|Intendant]]
| leader_name        = [[Mario Bergara (politician)|Mario Bergara]]
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = {{start date and age|1726}}
| founder            = [[Bruno Mauricio de Zabala]]

<!-- Area------------------>
| unit_pref          = UY
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Cite web |title=ACME Planimeter |url=http://www.acme.com/planimeter/ |access-date=27 February 2014 |archive-date=1 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001065649/http://www.acme.com/planimeter/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi   = 77.5
| area_water_percent = 
| area_note          = The [[Montevideo Department|department]] area is {{convert|530|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} and the conurbated built-up area {{convert|350|km2|sqmi|sp=us}}.<ref>Alike measurement applied to the [[Conurbation|conurbated area]] plus the {{convert|193.4|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} of the [[city proper]].</ref>
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 633

<!-- Population ----------------------->
| population         = 1287452
| population_as_of   = 2023 Census
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Censos 1852 – 2011/Población en el País, según departamento |url=http://www.ine.gub.uy/web/guest/censos-1852-2011 |access-date=5 July 2020 |publisher=INE |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711074350/http://ine.gub.uy/web/guest/censos-1852-2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 6400
| population_blank1_title = [[Departments of Uruguay|Department]]
| population_blank1  = 1319108
| population_metro   = 1947604<ref name="Presidencia">[http://www.presidencia.gub.uy/comunicacion/comunicacionnoticias/agenda-metropolitana-uruguay-barcelona-firma-convenio-cooperacion "...el Área Metropolitana de Uruguay nuclea a los departamentos de San José, Canelones y Montevideo..."] {{Webarchive | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141111003640/http://www.presidencia.gub.uy/comunicacion/comunicacionnoticias/agenda-metropolitana-uruguay-barcelona-firma-convenio-cooperacion | date = 11 November 2014 }} Retrieved 10 November 2014.</ref><ref name="INE">[http://www.ine.gub.uy/censos2011/index.html Info censal de departamentos/Data 2011 census] {{Webarchive | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120112153208/http://www.ine.gub.uy/censos2011/index.html | date = 12 January 2012 }}. Retrieved 10 November 2014.</ref>
| population_urban   = 1,788,170
| population_urban_footnotes = <ref name="m412">{{cite web |title=Montevideo Population 2025 |website=World Population Review |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/cities/uruguay/montevideo |access-date=2025-08-02}}</ref>
| population_demonyms = ''montevideano'' (m)<br />''montevideana'' (f) <!-- Spanish demonyms are always displayed in lower-case --> ''Montevidean'' (English)<ref name="Montevideo Travel Guide">{{Cite web | title = Montevideo Travel Guide | url = http://www.fodors.com/world/south-america/uruguay/montevideo/ | access-date = 16 February 2014 | publisher = Fodor'sTravel | archive-date = 1 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140301054435/http://www.fodors.com/world/south-america/uruguay/montevideo/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

<!-- GDP --------------->
| demographics_type1 = [[GDP|GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values)]]
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1 = Year
| demographics1_info1 = 2023
| demographics1_title2 = Total
| demographics1_info2 = $41.7&nbsp;billion<ref name="TelluBase">{{cite web|url=https://tellusant.com/repo/tb/tellubase_factsheet_ury.pdf|publisher=Tellusant|title=TelluBase—Uruguay Fact Sheet|access-date=2024-01-11|archive-date=16 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116222445/https://tellusant.com/repo/tb/tellubase_factsheet_ury.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| demographics1_title3 = Per capita
| demographics1_info3 = $23,500
| timezone           = [[Uruguay Time|UYT]]
| utc_offset         = −03:00
| coordinates        = {{coord|34|54|20|S|56|11|03|W|region:UY-MO | display = it}}
| elevation_m        = 43
| postal_code_type   = Postal code
| postal_code        = 11#00 & 12#00
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Uruguay|Dial plan]]
| area_code          = (+598) 2XXX XXXX
| registration_plate = S
| blank_name         = '''[[Human Development Index|HDI]]''' (2017)
| blank_info         = 0.841<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI – Subnational HDI – Global Data Lab|website=globaldatalab.org|access-date=13 September 2021|archive-date=14 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190314102820/https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/|url-status=live}}</ref> – <span style="color:#090;">very high</span>
| name               = 
| website            = {{URL|https://montevideo.gub.uy/}} {{in lang|es}}
}}

'''Montevideo''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|m|ɒ|n|t|ɪ|v|ɪ|ˈ|d|eɪ|oʊ|audio=ES-UY-Montevideo.ogg}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/montevideo|title=Montevideo definition and meaning &#124; Collins English Dictionary|access-date=28 May 2023|archive-date=10 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810180459/https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/montevideo|url-status=live}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|USalso|-|'|v|ɪ|d|i|oʊ}};<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Montevideo | title=Definition of MONTEVIDEO | access-date=28 May 2023 | archive-date=28 May 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528195022/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Montevideo | url-status=live }}</ref> {{IPA|es|monteβiˈðeo|lang}}) is the [[capital city|capital]] and [[List of cities in Uruguay|largest city]] of [[Uruguay]]. According to the 2023 census, the [[city proper]] has a population of 1,302,954 (about 37.2% of the country's total population)<ref name="INEpop">{{Cite web |year=2012 |title=Censos 2011 Montevideo |url=http://www.ine.gub.uy/censos2011/resultadosfinales/montevideo.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111010949/http://www.ine.gub.uy/censos2011/resultadosfinales/montevideo.html |archive-date=11 November 2012 |access-date=3 September 2012 |publisher=INE}}</ref> in an area of {{convert|201|sqkm|sqmi|sp=us}}. Montevideo is situated on the southern coast of the country, on the northeastern bank of the [[Río de la Plata]].

A Portuguese garrison was established in the place where today is the city of 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 people|Spanish]]-[[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] dispute over the [[Río de la Plata Basin|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 invasions of the Río de la Plata|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 entailed comparisons to the role of [[Brussels]] in Europe.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Google Earth Montevideo Map |url=http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/google_map_Montevideo.htm |access-date=5 March 2015 |publisher=One World – Nations Online Project |archive-date=28 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328173823/http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/google_map_Montevideo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 2019 Mercer's report on quality of life rated Montevideo first in Latin America,<ref name="2019 Quality of Living Survey">{{Cite web |title=2019 Quality of Living Survey |url=https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings |access-date=18 April 2019 |publisher=Mercer |archive-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418074611/https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings |url-status=live }}</ref> a rank the city has consistently held since 2005.<ref name="Globalization">{{Cite web |title=Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings Survey |url=http://www.internationalhradviser.co.uk/storage/downloads/2012%20Quality%20Of%20Living%20Worldwide%20City%20Rankings%20Survey.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203054458/http://www.internationalhradviser.co.uk/storage/downloads/2012%20Quality%20Of%20Living%20Worldwide%20City%20Rankings%20Survey.pdf |archive-date=3 December 2013 |access-date=24 February 2014 |publisher=Mercer}}</ref><ref name="globalizacion.org">{{Cite web |last=Gainza |first=Patricia P. |title=CIUDADES LATINOAMERICANAS EN EL ÍNDICE DE CALIDAD DE VIDA |url=http://globalizacion.org/opinion/GainzaIndiceCalidadVida2006.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091129224417/http://www.globalizacion.org/opinion/GainzaIndiceCalidadVida2006.htm |archive-date=29 November 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009}}</ref><ref name="historico.elpais.com.uy">{{Cite web|url=https://historico.elpais.com.uy/07/04/03/pciuda_273081.asp|title=Diario EL PAIS – Montevideo – Uruguay|website=historico.elpais.com.uy|access-date=13 September 2021|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224184431/https://historico.elpais.com.uy/07/04/03/pciuda_273081.asp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="fastcoexist.com">{{Cite web |date=3 December 2013 |title=The 8 Smartest Cities in Latin America |url=http://www.fastcoexist.com/3022533/the-8-smartest-cities-in-latin-america |access-date=24 February 2014 |archive-date=6 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206055414/http://www.fastcoexist.com/3022533/the-8-smartest-cities-in-latin-america |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="mercer.com">{{Cite web|url=https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings|title=Quality of Living City Ranking &#124; Mercer|website=mobilityexchange.mercer.com|access-date=18 April 2020|archive-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418074611/https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2010}}, Montevideo was the 19th largest city economy in [[Latin America|the continent]] and 9th highest income earner among [[List of Latin American cities by population|major cities]].<ref name="mckinsey.com">{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.mckinsey.com/tools/Wrappers/Wrapper.aspx?sid=%7BC84CB74F-A3B1-47B1-8265-6252F6D85B68%7D&pid=%7B4F5BEDB1-6C1F-4243-A052-83ADBABE82DF%7D |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223164754/https://www.mckinsey.com/tools/Wrappers/Wrapper.aspx?sid=%7BC84CB74F-A3B1-47B1-8265-6252F6D85B68%7D&pid=%7B4F5BEDB1-6C1F-4243-A052-83ADBABE82DF%7D |archive-date=23 December 2019 |access-date=19 June 2020}}</ref> In 2022, it has a projected [[GDP]] of $53.9&nbsp;billion, with a [[GDP per capita|per capita]] of $30,148.<ref name="ReferenceA">(((61/33)^(1/15))^12)*33 and (((33/21)^(1/15))^12)*21.</ref>

In 2018, it was classified as a beta [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network|global city]] ranking eighth in [[Latin America]] and 84th in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The World According to GaWC 2018 |url=https://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2018t.html |access-date=5 January 2019 |publisher=Geography Department, Ghent University. |archive-date=3 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503165246/http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2016t.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Montevideo hosted every match during the [[1930 FIFA World Cup|first FIFA World Cup]] in 1930. Described as a "vibrant, eclectic place with a rich cultural life",<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/uruguay/montevideo|title=Montevideo travel|website=Lonely Planet|access-date=13 September 2021|archive-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910180657/https://www.lonelyplanet.com/uruguay/montevideo|url-status=live}}</ref> and "a thriving tech center and entrepreneurial culture",<ref name="fastcoexist.com" /> Montevideo ranked eighth in Latin America on the 2013 [[MasterCard]] Global Destination Cities Index.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newsroom.mastercard.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Updated-Mastercard_GDCI_Final_V4.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://newsroom.mastercard.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Updated-Mastercard_GDCI_Final_V4.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index}}</ref>

The city features historic European architecture,<ref>{{Cite web |title=La arquitectura de Montevideo |trans-title=The architecture of Montevideo |url=https://escueladeverano.psico.edu.uy/escueladeverano-2014/2009/09/14/la-arquitectura-de-montevideo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027092617/https://escueladeverano.psico.edu.uy/escueladeverano-2014/2009/09/14/la-arquitectura-de-montevideo |archive-date=27 October 2021 |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=escueladeverano.psico.edu.uy}}</ref> and is considered one of the cities with the most [[Art Deco|art deco]] influence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trinidad |first=Adriana |date=2020-08-26 |title=Montevideo: La capital del estilo Art Decó |url=https://marcapaisuruguay.gub.uy/montevideo-la-capital-del-estilo-art-deco/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011044815/https://marcapaisuruguay.gub.uy/montevideo-la-capital-del-estilo-art-deco/ |archive-date=11 October 2023 |access-date=8 October 2023 |website=Uruguay Natural Marca Pais - Sitio Oficial |language=es-ES}}</ref> It is the hub of commerce and higher education in Uruguay as well as its chief port and [[financial hub]], anchoring the [[Montevideo metropolitan area|metropolitan area]] with a population of around 2&nbsp;million.

== Etymology ==
There are several explanations for the word ''Montevideo''. All agree that "Monte" refers to the [[Cerro de Montevideo]], the hill situated across the [[Bay of Montevideo]], but there is disagreement about the etymological origin of the "video" part.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson Ormazábal |title=Día del Patrimonio |url=http://www.montevideanos.com/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050428222155/http://www.montevideanos.com/index.html |archive-date=28 April 2005 |access-date=17 November 2010 |publisher=montevideanos.com |language=es |quote=Pocas villas con deseos de ser ciudad, tuvieron tantos prenombres hasta llegar al definitivo de Montevideo. Pináculo de la Tentación, Monte de la Detención, Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Monte de San Pedro, Santo Vidio, Monte Seredo, Monte Vidi, Monte veo, Montem Video, Monte Vide Eu, Monte Ovidio, Monte VI D. E-O... Tales fueron, entre el viaje de Amerigo Vespucci (1501) y la fundación por Bruno Mauricio de Zabala (1726), las diversas denominaciones que la elevación al oeste de la bahía recibió.}}</ref>

[[File:Cerro de Montevideo desde la ciudad. Año 1865.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Cerro de Montevideo as seen from the city, in 1865.]]

* '''Monte vide eu''' ("I saw a mount") is the most widespread belief<ref name=OriMon /><ref name="Paisaje urbano">{{Cite web |last=Centro Radioaficionados Montevideo |title=Paisaje urbano |url=http://www.qsl.net/cram/pages/mvd.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505123022/http://www.qsl.net/cram/pages/mvd.htm |archive-date=5 May 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=Qsl.net |language=es}}</ref> but is rejected by the majority of experts, who consider it unlikely because it involves a mix of dialects. The name would come from a [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] expression which means "I saw a mount", wrongly pronounced by an anonymous sailor belonging to the expedition of [[Ferdinand Magellan]] on catching sight of the Cerro de Montevideo.
* '''Montem vídeo''' ("I see a hill"): This version, a variant of the previous one, suggests that the name comes directly from Latin, stemming from the spontaneous expression of a learned member of Magellan's expedition, who, upon spotting the Cerro de Montevideo, exclaimed: ''Montem vídeo'' ("I see a hill"). The rest of the crew, who did not speak Latin, mistakenly registered this as the name of the hill they had just sighted, ''Monte Vídeo''. This theory is supported by numerous maps and documents from the colonial period that refer to the Cerro de Montevideo with the name ''Monte Vídeo.''<ref>Travieso, Carlos (1923). «IV - Verdadero origen del nombre de Montevideo». ''"¡Montem vídeo!" : origen del nombre de Montevideo''. IMPRENTA LATINA.</ref>
* '''Monte Vidi:''' This hypothesis comes from the "Diario de Navegación" (Navigational Calendar) of boatswain Francisco de Albo, member of the expedition of Magellan,<ref name="OriMon">{{Cite web |last=Nelson Ormazábal |title=El origen de la palabra "Montevideo" |trans-title=The origin of the word "Montevideo" |url=http://www.montevideanos.com/origen.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213133926/http://www.montevideanos.com/origen.htm |archive-date=13 December 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=montevideanos.com |language=es}}</ref> who wrote, "Tuesday of the said [month of January 1520] we were on the straits of Cape Santa María [now [[Punta del Este]]], from where the coast runs east to west, and the terrain is sandy, and at the right of the cape there is a mountain like a hat to which we gave the name "Montevidi"."<ref name="de Navarrete 1825 p. 290">{{cite book |last=de Navarrete |first=M.F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iplTAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA290 |title=Colección de los viages y descubrimientos que hicieron por mar los españoles desde fines del siglo XV: con varios documentos inéditos concernientes á la historia de la marina castellana y de los establecimientos españoles en Indias |publisher=Imprenta real |year=1825 |page=290 |language=es |access-date=6 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141459/https://books.google.com/books?id=iplTAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA290#v=onepage&q&f=false |archive-date=5 October 2023 |url-status=live |issue=v. 4}}</ref> This is the oldest Spanish document that mentions the promontory with a name similar to the one that designates the city, but it does not contain any mention of the alleged cry "Monte vide eu."
* '''Monte-VI-D-E-O''' (''Monte '''VI''' '''D'''e '''E'''ste a '''O'''este'', "Sixth mount from east to west"): According to Rolando Laguarda Trías, professor of history, the Spaniards annotated the geographic location on a map or [[Portolan chart]], so that the mount/hill is the VI (6th) mount observable on the coast, navigating Río de la Plata from east to west.<ref name="tacuycom">{{Cite web |last=Javier Meneses Silva |title=Reseña histórica y datos varios |url=http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302094006/http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=tacuy.com.uy |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ariel Collazo |title=El origen del nombre Montevideo |trans-title=The origin of the name Montevideo|date=7 May 2006 |url=http://www.larepublica.com.uy/editorial/210067-el-origen-del-nombre-montevideo |access-date=20 November 2010 |newspaper=La República |publisher=La Republica 21 |location=Montevideo |language=es |archive-date=30 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430224801/http://www.larepublica.com.uy/editorial/210067-el-origen-del-nombre-montevideo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SextMon">{{Cite web |last=Laura Caorsi |title=El sexto monte |url=http://servicios.laverdad.es/nuestratierra/nt08042007/suscr/nec21.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429030704/http://servicios.laverdad.es/nuestratierra/nt08042007/suscr/nec21.htm |archive-date=29 April 2011 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=laverdad.es |language=es}}</ref> With the passing of time, these words were unified to "Montevideo". No conclusive evidence has been found to confirm this academic hypothesis, nor can it be asserted with certainty which the other five mounts observable before the Cerro were.
* '''Monte Ovídio''' (''Monte Santo Ovídio''), a less widespread hypothesis of a religious origin,<ref name=OriMon /> stems from an interpolation in the aforementioned ''Diario de Navegación'' of Francisco de Albo, where it is asserted "corruptly now called Santo Vidio" when they refer to the hat-like mount which they named Monte Vidi (that is, the Cerro de Montevideo). [[Auditus of Braga]] (Spanish: ''Ovídio'') was the third bishop of the Roman city of [[Braga]] (now in Portugal) in 95 CE, where he was always revered; a monument to him was erected there in 1505. Given the relationship that the Portuguese had with the discovery and foundation of Montevideo, and despite the fact that this hypothesis, like the previous ones, lacks conclusive documentation, there have been those who linked the name of Santo Ovídio or Vídio (appearing on some maps of the time) with the subsequent derivation of the name "Montevideo" given to the region since the early years of the 16th century.

When the [[United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves|Portuguese]] invaded the [[Banda Oriental]] and annexed it as the province of [[Cisplatina]] until 1831, they called the city {{lang|pt|Montevidéu}}, and pronounced as {{IPA|pt-PT|mõtɨviˈðew|}}.

== History ==
{{For timeline}}
{{Quote box 
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|title    = Historical Affiliations
|fontsize = 90% 
|quote    =
{{plainlist |
*{{flagdeco|Spain|1506}} [[Spanish Empire]] 1724–1807
*{{flagdeco|UK}} [[British Empire]] 1807
*{{flagdeco|Spain|1506}} [[Spanish Empire]] 1807–1814
*[[File:Flag of Argentina (civil).svg|23px]] [[United Provinces of the River Plate|Río de la Plata]] 1814–1815
*[[File:Flag of Artigas.svg|23px]] [[Liga Federal|Federal League]] 1815–1817
*{{flagdeco|Portugal|1816}} [[United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves|U.K. of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves]] 1817–1822
*{{flag|Empire of Brazil}} 1822–1828
*{{flag|Uruguay}} 1828–present
}}
}}

[[File:Paraguay - O Prov de Rio de la Plata - cum regionibus adiacentibus Tvcvman et Sta. Cruz de la Sierra - ca 1600.jpg|thumb|17th century map of the Río de la Plata basin]]
=== Early history ===
Between 1680 and 1683, Portugal founded the city of [[Colonia do Sacramento]] in the region across the bay from [[Buenos Aires]]. This city met with no resistance from the Spanish until 1723, when they began to place fortifications on the elevations around Montevideo Bay. On 22 November 1723, Field Marshal {{interlanguage link|Manuel de Freitas da Fonseca|pt}} of Portugal built the Montevieu fort.
[[File:Los Primeros Pobladores de Montevideo.png|thumb|259x259px|Arrival of the first families from the Canary Islands in 1726.]]
A Spanish expedition was sent from Buenos Aires, organized by the Spanish governor of that city, Bruno Mauricio de Zabala. On 22 January 1724, the Spanish forced the Portuguese to abandon the location and started populating the city, initially with six families moving in from Buenos Aires and soon thereafter by families arriving from the [[Canary Islands]] who were known as [[Guanches]] or [[Canarians]]. There was also one significant early Italian resident by the name of Jorge Burgues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carlos Maggi |title=La Paloma, la historia y el futuro |trans-title=La Paloma, the history and the future |url=http://200.40.120.164/08/08/24/predit_365682.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429050121/http://200.40.120.164/08/08/24/predit_365682.asp |archive-date=29 April 2011 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=El País |language=es}}</ref>

A census of the city's inhabitants was performed in 1724 and then a plan was drawn delineating the city and designating it as ''San Felipe y Santiago de Montevideo'', later shortened to Montevideo. The census counted more than 100 families of [[Galician people|Galician]] and Canary Islands origin, more than 1000 indigenous people, mostly [[Guarani people|Guaraní]], as well as some [[Atlantic slave trade|trafficked slaves]] of [[Bantu peoples|Bantu origin]].<ref name=SextMon />

A few years after its foundation, Montevideo became the main city of the region north of the Río de la Plata and east of the [[Uruguay River]], competing with Buenos Aires for dominance in maritime commerce. The importance of Montevideo as the main port of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata brought it in confrontations with the city of Buenos Aires in various occasions, including several times when it was taken over to be used as a base to defend the eastern province of the Viceroyalty from Portuguese incursions.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

In 1776, Spain made Montevideo its main naval base (''Real Apostadero de Marina'') for the South Atlantic, with authority over the Argentine coast, [[Bioko|Fernando Po]], and the [[Falkland Islands|Falklands]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=La Armada Nacional a través del tiempo |url=http://www.armada.mil.uy/general/historia/historia-armada.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514003200/http://www.armada.mil.uy/general/historia/historia-armada.html |archive-date=14 May 2011 |access-date=4 October 2008 |website=www.armada.mil.uy}}</ref> Until the end of the 18th century, Montevideo remained a fortified area, today known as [[Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo|Ciudad Vieja]].

=== 19th century ===
[[File:Monte Video from the Anchorage outside the Harbour.png|thumb|upright=2.2| "Monte Video from the Anchorage outside the Harbour" by [[Emeric Essex Vidal]] (1820). The earliest securely dated picture of the city.<ref>The watercolour can be securely dated from its inclusion in ''Picturesque Illustrations of Buenos Ayres and Monte Video'', p.xxix, published by R. Ackermann, London, 1820. No depiction of the city of earlier secure date has yet been produced.</ref>]]
On 3 February 1807, British troops under the command of General [[Samuel Auchmuty (British Army officer)|Samuel Auchmuty]] and Admiral [[Charles Stirling]] occupied the city during the [[Battle of Montevideo (1807)]], but it was recaptured by the Spanish in the same year on 2 September when [[John Whitelocke]] was forced to surrender to troops formed by forces of the [[Banda Oriental]]—roughly the same area as modern Uruguay—and of Buenos Aires.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Segunda Invasión Inglesa (1807) |url=http://www.oni.escuelas.edu.ar/2003/SAN_LUIS/128/2invac.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721193505/http://www.oni.escuelas.edu.ar/2003/SAN_LUIS/128/2invac.htm |archive-date=21 July 2010 |access-date=15 November 2010 |publisher=ONI.edu.er |language=es}}</ref> After this conflict, the governor of Montevideo [[Francisco Javier de Elío]] opposed the new viceroy [[Santiago de Liniers]], and created a government Junta when the [[Peninsular War]] started in Spain, in defiance of Liniers. Elío disestablished the Junta when Liniers was replaced by [[Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros]].

During the [[May Revolution]] of 1810 and the subsequent uprising of the provinces of Rio de la Plata, the Spanish colonial government moved to Montevideo. During that year and the next, Uruguayan revolutionary [[José Gervasio Artigas]] united with others from Buenos Aires against Spain.<ref name="Historia">{{Cite web |last=Nelson Ormazába |title=Historia |url=http://www.montevideanos.com/historia.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000830095731/http://www.montevideanos.com/historia.htm |archive-date=30 August 2000 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=Montevideanos.com |language=es}}</ref> In 1811, the forces deployed by the [[Junta Grande]] of Buenos Aires and the [[gaucho]] forces led by Artigas started a [[Siege of Montevideo (1811)|siege of Montevideo]], which had refused to obey the directives of the new authorities of the May Revolution. The siege was lifted at the end of that year, when the military situation started deteriorating in the [[Upper Peru]] region.

The Spanish governor was expelled in 1814. In 1816, Portugal invaded the recently liberated territory and in 1821, it was annexed to the Banda Oriental of Brazil. It was named {{interlanguage link|Imperial Cidade|pt|lt=Imperial City}} by [[Emperor of Brazil|Emperor]] [[Pedro I of Brazil|Pedro I]] when the city was part of the [[Empire of Brazil]] as the capital of the [[Cisplatina|Cisplatina province]].<ref name="Historia" /> [[Juan Antonio Lavalleja]] and his band called the ''Treinta y Tres Orientales'' ("[[Thirty-Three Orientals]]") re-established the independence of the region in 1825. Uruguay was consolidated as an independent state in 1828, with Montevideo as the nation's capital.<ref name="Paisaje urbano" /> In 1829, the demolition of the city's fortifications began and plans were made for an extension beyond the Ciudad Vieja, referred to as the "Ciudad Nueva" ("new city"). Urban expansion, however, moved very slowly because of the events that followed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IMM |date=22 April 2010 |title=History of Centro |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/historia/barrios/centro-0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044126/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/historia/barrios/centro-0 |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=16 November 2010 |website=montevideo.gub.uy |language=es}}</ref>

[[File:PlanoMontevideoSitioGrande.JPG|thumb|Map of Montevideo during the [[Uruguayan Civil War|Guerra Grande]] (1843–1851).]]

Uruguay's 1830s were dominated by the confrontation between [[Manuel Oribe]] and [[Fructuoso Rivera]], the two revolutionary leaders who had fought against the [[Empire of Brazil]] under the command of Lavalleja, each of whom had become the ''[[caudillo]]'' of their respective faction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historia General de las Relaciones Exteriores de la Argentina (1806–1989) |url=http://www.argentina-rree.com/4/4-019.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303235246/http://www.argentina-rree.com/4/4-019.htm |archive-date=3 March 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=La situación en el Uruguay y el Litoral durante la década de 1830 |language=es}}</ref> Politics were divided between Oribe's ''Blancos'' ("whites"), represented by the [[National Party (Uruguay)|National Party]], and Rivera's ''Colorados'' ("reds"), represented by the [[Colorado Party (Uruguay)|Colorado Party]], with each party's name taken from the color of its emblems. In 1838, Oribe was forced to resign from the presidency; he established a rebel army and began a long civil war, the [[Uruguayan Civil War|Guerra Grande]], which lasted until 1851.

The city of Montevideo suffered a [[Great Siege of Montevideo|siege of eight years between 1843 and 1851]], during which it was supplied by sea with British and French support.<ref name="tacuycom" /> By 1843 Montevideo's population of thirty thousand inhabitants was highly cosmopolitan with Uruguayans making up only a third of it.<ref name=Etche17/> The remaining were chiefly Italian (4205), Spanish (3406), Argentine (2553), Portuguese (659), English (606) and Brazilians (492).<ref name="Etche17">{{Cite journal |last=Etchechury Barrera |first=Mario |year=2017 |title="Defensores de la humanidad y la civilización". Las legiones extranjeras de Montevideo, entre el mito cosmopolita y la eclosión de las 'nacionalidades' (1838–1851) |url=http://ojs.uc.cl/index.php/rhis/article/view/7534/7060 |journal=[[Historia (history of the Americas journal)|Historia]] |language=es |volume=50 |issue=II |pages=491–524 |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919194032/http://ojs.uc.cl/index.php/rhis/article/view/7534/7060 |url-status=live }}</ref> Oribe, with the support of the then conservative [[Governor of Buenos Aires Province]] [[Juan Manuel de Rosas]], besieged the Colorados in Montevideo, where the latter were supported by the French Legion, the Italian Legion, the Basque Legion and battalions from Brazil. Finally in 1851, with the additional support of Argentine rebels who opposed Rosas, the Colorados defeated Oribe.<ref name="Historia" /> The fighting however resumed in 1855, when the Blancos came to power, which they maintained until 1865. Thereafter, the Colorado Party regained power, which they retained until the middle of the 20th century.

After the end of hostilities, a period of growth and expansion started for the city. In 1853 a [[stagecoach]] bus line was established joining Montevideo with the newly formed settlement of [[Unión, Montevideo|Unión]] and the first natural gas [[street light]]s were inaugurated.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}} From 1854 to 1861 the first public sanitation facilities were constructed. In 1856 the Teatro Solís was inaugurated, 15 years after the beginning of its construction. By Decree, in December 1861 the areas of [[Aguada, Montevideo|Aguada]] and [[Cordón]] were incorporated to the growing ''Ciudad Nueva'' (New City).<ref name="stats">{{Cite web |year=2012 |title=Statistics of urban localities (1963–2004) |url=http://www.ine.gub.uy/biblioteca/toponimico/Categorizaci%F3n%20localidades%20urbanas%20orden%20alfab%E9tico.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113143716/http://www.ine.gub.uy/biblioteca/toponimico/Categorizaci%F3n%20localidades%20urbanas%20orden%20alfab%E9tico.pdf |archive-date=13 November 2009 |access-date=7 September 2012 |publisher=INE}}</ref> In 1866, an underwater telegraph line connected the city with Buenos Aires. The statue of Peace, ''La Paz'', was erected on a column in Plaza Cagancha and the building of the Postal Service as well as the bridge of Paso Molino were inaugurated in 1867.<ref name="cronologia">{{Cite web |title=Cronología de Montevideo 1742–1990 (PDF) |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/sites/default/files/articulo/cronologia_0.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914063223/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/sites/default/files/articulo/cronologia_0.pdf |archive-date=14 September 2013 |access-date=22 November 2010 |publisher=Intendencia de Montevideo}}</ref>

In 1868, the [[Horsecar|horse-drawn tram]] company ''Compañía de Tranvías al Paso del Molino y Cerro'' created the first lines connecting Montevideo with Unión, the beach resort of [[Capurro]] and the industrialized and economically independent [[Villa del Cerro]], at the time called ''Cosmopolis''. In the same year, the [[Mercado del Puerto]] was inaugurated. In 1869, the first railway line of the company ''Ferrocarril Central del Uruguay'' was inaugurated connecting [[Bella Vista, Montevideo|Bella Vista]] with the town of [[Las Piedras, Uruguay|Las Piedras]]. During the same year and the next, the neighborhoods [[Colón Sudeste|Colón]], [[Nuevo París]] and [[La Comercial]] were founded. The Sunday market of Tristán Narvaja Street was established in [[Cordón]] in 1870. Public water supply was established in 1871. In 1878, ''Bulevar Circunvalación'' was constructed, a boulevard starting from [[Punta Carretas]], going up to the north end of the city and then turning west to end at the beach of Capurro. It was renamed [[Artigas Boulevard]] in 1885.<ref name="cronologia" /> By Decree, on 8 January 1881, the area ''Los Pocitos'' was incorporated into the ''Novísima Ciudad'' (Most New City).<ref name=stats/>

The first telephone lines were installed in 1882 and electric street lights took the place of the gas-operated ones in 1886. The Hipódromo de Maroñas started operating in 1888, and the neighborhoods of Reus del Sur, [[Reus al Norte|Reus del Norte]] and [[Conciliación]] were inaugurated in 1889. The new building of the School of Arts and Trades, as well as Zabala Square in Ciudad Vieja were inaugurated in 1890, followed by the Italian Hospital in 1891. In the same year, the village of [[Peñarol, Montevideo|Peñarol]] was founded. Other neighborhoods that were founded were Belgrano and [[Belvedere, Montevideo|Belvedere]] in 1892, [[Jacinto Vera, Montevideo|Jacinto Vera]] in 1895 and Trouville in 1897. In 1894 the new port was constructed, and in 1897, the [[Estación Central General Artigas|Central Railway Station of Montevideo]] was inaugurated.<ref name="tacuycom" /><ref name="cronologia" /><!-- Between 1878 and 1911, British-owned railway companies built an extensive railway network linking the city and its port to the countryside. {{citation needed|date=November 2010}}-->
[[File:MontevideoIndependencePlaza1900.jpg|thumb|Plaza Independencia around 1900.]]

=== 20th century ===
In the early 20th century, many Europeans (particularly Spaniards and Italians but also thousands from Central Europe) immigrated to the city. In 1908, 30% of the city's population of 300,000 was foreign-born. In that decade the city expanded quickly: new neighborhoods were created and many separate settlements were annexed to the city, among which were the [[Villa del Cerro]], [[Pocitos]], the [[Prado, Montevideo|Prado]] and [[Colón Sudeste|Villa Colón]]. The [[Parque Rodó|Rodó Park]] and the [[Estadio Gran Parque Central]] were also established, which served as ''poles'' of urban development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crecimiento Demográfico en el 1900 |url=http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302094006/http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=Tacuy.com.uy |language=es}}</ref> During the early 20th century, Uruguay saw huge social changes with repercussions primarily in urban areas. Among these changes were the right to divorce (1907) and [[women's suffrage|women's right to vote]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 March 2007 |title=Historia |url=http://www.adesh.org/archivos_pdf/REPUBLICA%20ORIENTAL%20DEL%20URUGUAY.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430035853/http://www.adesh.org/archivos_pdf/REPUBLICA%20ORIENTAL%20DEL%20URUGUAY.pdf |archive-date=30 April 2011 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=Adesh.org – Fundación para el Fomento y Desarrollo de Hispanoamérica |language=es}}</ref> The 1910s saw the construction of Montevideo's [[Rambla of Montevideo|Rambla]]; strikes by tram workers, bakers and port workers; the inauguration of electric trams; the creation of the [[Intendencia#Uruguay|Municipal Intendencias]]; and the inauguration of the new port.<ref name="HD19">{{Cite web |last=Javier Meneses Silva |title=Hechos destacados de 1900 |url=http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302094006/http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=Tacuy.com.uy |language=es}}</ref> In 1913, the city limits were extended around the entire gulf. The previously independent localities of the [[Villa del Cerro]] and [[La Teja]] were annexed to Montevideo, becoming two of its neighborhoods.<ref name="PieGau">{{Cite web |last=Pierre Gautreau |title=La Bahía de Montevideo: 150 años de modificación de un paisaje costero y subacuático |url=http://elgatea.free.fr/mesdocuments/Bahia-alta-resolucion.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112152235/http://elgatea.free.fr/mesdocuments/Bahia-alta-resolucion.pdf |archive-date=12 January 2016 |access-date=15 July 2008 |website=Véase página 3 del archivo |language=es }}</ref> During the 1920s, the equestrian statue of Artigas was installed in [[Plaza Independencia]]; the [[Palacio Legislativo (Uruguay)|Palacio Legislativo]] was built; the Spanish [[Plus Ultra (flying boat)|Plus Ultra]] flying boat arrived (the first airplane to fly from Spain to Latin America, 1926); prominent politician and former president [[José Batlle y Ordóñez]] died (1929); and the ground was broken (1929) for the [[Estadio Centenario]] (completed 1930).<ref name="HD1900">{{Cite web |last=Javier Meneses Silva |title=Hechos destacados de 1900 |url=http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302094006/http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=Tacuy.com.uy |language=es}}</ref>

===World War II===
During World War II, a famous incident involving the [[German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee|German cruiser ''Admiral Graf Spee'']] took place in [[Punta del Este]], {{convert|200|km|sp=us}} from Montevideo. After the [[Battle of the River Plate]] with the [[Royal Navy]] and [[Royal New Zealand Navy]] on 13 December 1939, the ''Graf Spee'' retreated to Montevideo's port, which was considered neutral at the time. To avoid risking the crew in what he thought would be a losing battle, Captain [[Hans Langsdorff]] [[Scuttling|scuttled]] the ship on 17 December. Langsdorff committed suicide two days later. The eagle figurehead of the ''Graf Spee'' was salvaged on 10 February 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 February 2006 |title=Graf Spee's eagle rises from deep |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4702832.stm |access-date=16 November 2006 |archive-date=2 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102165220/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4702832.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stephanie Condron |date= 16 February 2006 |title=The Graf Spee eagle is landed |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/uruguay/1510657/The-Graf-Spee-eagle-is-landed.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/uruguay/1510657/The-Graf-Spee-eagle-is-landed.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=5 July 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Post-war era===
[[File:Calle Washington en Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo, Uruguay.jpg|left|thumb|233x233px|A street in Montevideo's Ciudad Vieja.]]
Uruguay began to stagnate economically in the mid-1950s; Montevideo began a decline, later exacerbated by widespread social and political violence beginning in 1968 (including the emergence of the guerrilla [[Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros]]<ref name=HD1900 />) and by the [[Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay (1973-1985)]].<!--({{ill|es|Dictadura_c%C3%ADvico-militar_en_Uruguay_%281973-1985%29}})--> There were major problems with supply; the immigration cycle was reversed.

From the 1960s to the end of the dictatorship in 1985, around one hundred people died or [[Forced disappearance|disappeared]] because of political violence. In 1974 another hundred Uruguayans also disappeared in Argentina.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Violencia |url=http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302094006/http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=Tacuy.com.uy |language=es}}</ref> In 1980, the dictatorship proposed a new constitution. The project was submitted to a [[referendum]] and rejected in the first polls since 1971, with 58% of the votes against and 42% in favor. The result weakened the military and triggered its fall, allowing the return of democracy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Plebiscito constitucional de 1980 |url=http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302094006/http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=Tacuy.com.uy |language=es}}</ref>

In the 1980s, Pope [[John Paul II]] visited the city twice. In April 1987, as head of state of [[Vatican City|Vatican]], he signed a mediation agreement for the conflict of the [[Beagle Channel]].<ref name="VisPap">{{Cite web |title=Visitas de Juan Pablo II |url=http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302094006/http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=Tacuy.com.uy |language=es}}</ref> He also held a large mass in [[Tres Cruces]], declaring the cross located behind the altar as a monument. In 1988, he returned to the country, visiting Montevideo, [[Florida, Uruguay|Florida]], [[Salto, Uruguay|Salto]] and [[Melo, Uruguay|Melo]].<ref name=VisPap />

=== 21st century ===

The [[2002 Uruguay banking crisis]] affected several industries of Montevideo. In 2017, the city has maintained 15 years of economic growth, with a [[GDP]] of $44&nbsp;billion, and a [[GDP per capita]] of $25,900.<ref name="mckinsey.com" /><ref name="ReferenceA" />

Montevideo has consistently been rated as having the highest quality of life of any city in Latin America:<ref name="fodors.com">{{Cite web |title=Montevideo Travel Guide |url=http://www.fodors.com/world/south-america/uruguay/montevideo |access-date=16 February 2014 |publisher=Fodor'sTravel |archive-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301054435/http://www.fodors.com/world/south-america/uruguay/montevideo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> by 2015<ref name="2015 Quality of Living Survey">{{Cite web |title=2015 Quality of Living Survey |url=http://www.latam.mercer.com/content/mercer/latin-america-and-caribbean/mx/es/newsroom/mercer-calidad-de-vida-internacional-2015.html |access-date=5 March 2015 |publisher=Mercer |language=es |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308062905/https://www.latam.mercer.com/content/mercer/latin-america-and-caribbean/mx/es/newsroom/mercer-calidad-de-vida-internacional-2015.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 Quality of Living Survey |url=http://www.uk.mercer.com/newsroom/2015-quality-of-living-survey.html |access-date=5 March 2015 |publisher=Mercer |archive-date=9 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209025212/http://www.uk.mercer.com/newsroom/2015-quality-of-living-survey.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> it held this rank every year during the decade through 2014.<ref name="Globalization" /><ref name="globalizacion.org" /><ref name="historico.elpais.com.uy" /><ref name="fastcoexist.com" /><ref name="mercer.com" />

== Geography ==
[[File:Uruguay mapa.png|left|thumb|upright=1.1 |Map of Uruguay showing Montevideo on the Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil]]
Montevideo is situated on the north shore of the Río de la Plata, the arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates the south coast of Uruguay from the north coast of Argentina; Buenos Aires lies {{convert|230|km|mi|sp=us}} west on the Argentine side. The [[Santa Lucía River]] forms a natural border between Montevideo and [[San José Department]] to its west. To the city's north and east is [[Canelones Department]], with the stream of Carrasco forming the eastern natural border. The coastline forming the city's southern border is interspersed with rocky protrusions and sandy beaches.<ref>[http://www.montevideo.com.uy/enciclopedia/montevid.htm www.montevideo.com.uy Montevideo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030622171900/http://www.montevideo.com.uy/enciclopedia/montevid.htm |date=22 June 2003 }}, Enciclopedia Geográfica del Uruguay, Retrieved on 20 November 2010.</ref> The Bay of Montevideo forms a natural harbor, the nation's largest and one of the largest in the [[Southern Cone]], and the finest natural port in the region, functioning as a crucial component of the Uruguayan economy and foreign trade. Various streams crisscross the town and empty into the Bay of Montevideo. Its coastline near the emptying rivers are heavily polluted.<ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Burone L, Venturini N, Sprechmann P, Valente P, Muniz P |year=2006 |title=Foraminiferal responses to polluted sediments in the Montevideo coastal zone, Uruguay. |journal=Marine Pollution Bulletin |publisher=Sección Oceanología, Facultad de Ciencias, Iguá 4225, Montevideo |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=61–73 |doi=10.1016/j.marpolbul.2005.08.007 |pmid=16194551|bibcode=2006MarPB..52...61B }}</ref>

The city has an average elevation of {{convert|43|m|ft|sp=us}}. Its highest elevations are two hills: the [[Cerro de Montevideo]] and the Cerro de la Victoria, with the highest point, the peak of Cerro de Montevideo, crowned by a fortress, the [[Fortaleza del Cerro]] at a height of {{cvt|134|m|ft}}.<ref name="Fortaleza">{{Cite web |title=Geografía – Cerro de Montevideo |url=http://www.montevideo.com.uy/enciclopedia/grande.htm#Montevideo_Cerro_de_Montevideo |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=Enciclopedia Geográfica del Uruguay |archive-date=5 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105050552/http://www.montevideo.com.uy/enciclopedia/grande.htm#Montevideo_Cerro_de_Montevideo |url-status=live }}</ref> Closest cities by road are [[Las Piedras, Uruguay|Las Piedras]] to the north and the so-called [[Ciudad de la Costa]] (a conglomeration of coastal towns) to the east, both in the range of 20 to {{cvt|25|km}} from the city center. The approximate distances to the neighboring department capitals by road are, {{cvt|90|km}} to [[San Jose de Mayo]] (San Jose Department) and {{cvt|46|km}} to Canelones (Canelones Department).
[[File:Atardecer en Pocitos, Montevideo, Uruguay.jpg|thumb|239x239px|Sunset in Montevideo.]]

=== Climate ===
Montevideo has a [[Humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]) in a middle latitude, the city experiences the four seasons. It has cool winters (June to August), warm to hot summers (December to February), mild autumns (March to May) and volatile springs (September to November);<ref name="Climate">{{Cite web |title=About the Climate in Montevideo, Uruguay:Overview |url=http://traveltips.usatoday.com/climate-montevideo-uruguay-16170.html |access-date=16 November 2010 |publisher=Traveltips |archive-date=30 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130012826/http://traveltips.usatoday.com/climate-montevideo-uruguay-16170.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The climate is characterized by having mild temperatures, without harsh cold or extreme heat. There are numerous thunderstorms but no tropical cyclones. Rainfall is regular and evenly spread throughout the year, reaching around {{convert|950|mm|in|sp=us}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montevideo climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Montevideo weather averages - Climate-Data.org |url=https://en.climate-data.org/america-del-sur/uruguay/montevideo/montevideo-3639/ |access-date=20 September 2019 |website=en.climate-data.org |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308104313/https://en.climate-data.org/america-del-sur/uruguay/montevideo/montevideo-3639/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Winters are generally cool, wet, windy and overcast. The average temperature during this season is just above {{cvt|10|C|F}}. Daytime temperatures are generally between {{cvt|10|C|F}} and {{cvt|18|C|F}}, and night lows between {{cvt|3|C|F}} and {{cvt|10|C|F}}. During this season, there are bursts of icy and relatively dry winds of continental polar air masses, giving an unpleasant chilly feeling to the everyday life of the city, with daytime temperatures around or below {{cvt|8|C|F}} and possible night frosts. These occur few times during winter, with temperatures generally not falling below {{cvt|-2|C|F}} because of the oceanic influence that moderates the temperature; a few kilometres inland, frosts are more common and colder. On the other hand, even in the middle of winter it's not uncommon to have temperatures above {{cvt|20|C|F}} for a few days. Rainfall and [[Ice pellets|sleet]] are a frequent winter occurrence, but snowfall is extremely rare: flurries have been recorded only four times but with no accumulation, the last one on 13 July 1930 during the inaugural match of the [[1930 FIFA World Cup|World Cup]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=FIFA World Cup |title=1930 FIFA World Cup Uruguay : Hosts Uruguay beat arch-rivals to first world crown |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1/overview.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620232908/http://fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1/overview.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 June 2007 |access-date=14 July 2011 |publisher=FIFA World Cup |location=Zúrich, Suiza}}</ref> (the other three snowfalls were in 1850, 1853 and 1917); the alleged 1980 [[Carrasco, Montevideo|Carrasco]] snowfall was actually a [[hail]]storm.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrés Silva Delgado |date=Dec 2010 |title=¿Nevó en Uruguay en el mes de Noviembre? |trans-title=Did it snow in Uruguay on November? |url=http://www.meteorologia.gub.uy/pdf/rrpp/23_43099.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124230720/http://www.meteorologia.gub.uy/pdf/rrpp/23_43099.pdf |archive-date=24 January 2012 |access-date=29 June 2011 |publisher=Dirección Nacional de Meteorología |location=Montevideo, Uruguay |page=1 |language=es }}</ref>

Summers are warm-hot and humid, with less wind than other seasons. The average temperature in this season is 
{{cvt|23|C|F}}. Daytime temperatures are usually between {{cvt|24|C|F}} and {{cvt|32|C|F}}, while night lows between {{cvt|14|C|F}} and {{cvt|22|C|F}}. During this season, a moderate wind often blows from the sea in the evenings which has a pleasant cooling effect on the city, in contrast to the more severe summer heat of nearby cities like [[Buenos Aires]].<ref name=Climate/> Heat waves come with the north winds, which bring humid and hot air masses from the tropical interior of the continent; temperatures can rise above {{cvt|35|C|F}}. These warm periods are usually followed by thunderstorms, generated by cold fronts from the southwest that lowers temperatures considerably. This phenomenon is regional, and can occur several times all year long.

The autumn in Montevideo is quite pleasant and not so unstable. Daytime temperatures are in general around {{cvt|20|C|F}} and nights around {{cvt|10|C|F}}.
Spring average temperatures are very similar to the autumn, but the weather in that season tends to be more windy and volatile, with more dramatic changes in a short period of time.

Montevideo has an annual average temperature of {{cvt|16.7|°C|1}}. The lowest recorded temperature is {{cvt|−5.6|°C|°F}} while the highest is {{cvt|42.8|°C|°F}}.<ref name = DNM1 />

{{Weather box
|location = Montevideo ([[Prado, Montevideo|Prado]]) 1991–2020, extremes 1901–2020
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 42.8
|Feb record high C = 40.3
|Mar record high C = 38.4
|Apr record high C = 36.7
|May record high C = 32.0
|Jun record high C = 27.8
|Jul record high C = 29.8
|Aug record high C = 32.6
|Sep record high C = 32.7
|Oct record high C = 35.8
|Nov record high C = 38.2
|Dec record high C = 40.8
|year record high C = 42.8
|Jan high C = 27.8
|Feb high C = 27.0
|Mar high C = 25.3
|Apr high C = 22.0
|May high C = 18.5
|Jun high C = 15.6
|Jul high C = 14.7
|Aug high C = 16.7
|Sep high C = 17.9
|Oct high C = 20.7
|Nov high C = 23.7
|Dec high C = 26.4
|year high C = 21.4
|Jan mean C = 23.3
|Feb mean C = 22.8
|Mar mean C = 21.2
|Apr mean C = 18.1
|May mean C = 14.8
|Jun mean C = 11.9
|Jul mean C = 11.0
|Aug mean C = 12.6
|Sep mean C = 13.9
|Oct mean C = 16.5
|Nov mean C = 19.2
|Dec mean C = 21.8
|year mean C = 17.3
|Jan low C = 18.8
|Feb low C = 18.6
|Mar low C = 17.1
|Apr low C = 14.1
|May low C = 11.0
|Jun low C = 8.1
|Jul low C = 7.3
|Aug low C = 8.5
|Sep low C = 9.9
|Oct low C = 12.4
|Nov low C = 14.7
|Dec low C = 17.1
|year low C = 13.1
|Jan record low C = 6.0
|Feb record low C = 6.8
|Mar record low C = 3.8
|Apr record low C = 1.3
|May record low C = -2.0
|Jun record low C = -5.6
|Jul record low C = -5.0
|Aug record low C = -3.8
|Sep record low C = -2.4
|Oct record low C = -1.5
|Nov record low C = 2.5
|Dec record low C = 5.0
|year record low C = -5.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 94.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 93.8
|Mar precipitation mm = 105.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 111.1
|May precipitation mm = 83.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 89.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 93.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 89.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 92.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 102.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 95.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 91.3
|year precipitation mm = 1142.7
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 6
|Feb precipitation days = 6
|Mar precipitation days = 6
|Apr precipitation days = 7
|May precipitation days = 6
|Jun precipitation days = 7
|Jul precipitation days = 6
|Aug precipitation days = 7
|Sep precipitation days = 7
|Oct precipitation days = 7
|Nov precipitation days = 7
|Dec precipitation days = 7
|year precipitation days = 79
|Jan humidity = 70
|Feb humidity = 73
|Mar humidity = 76
|Apr humidity = 77
|May humidity = 79
|Jun humidity = 81
|Jul humidity = 80
|Aug humidity = 78
|Sep humidity = 76
|Oct humidity = 74
|Nov humidity = 72
|Dec humidity = 70
|year humidity = 76
|Jan sun = 294.5
|Feb sun = 234.5
|Mar sun = 220.1
|Apr sun = 162.0
|May sun = 161.2
|Jun sun = 126.0
|Jul sun = 142.6
|Aug sun = 164.3
|Sep sun = 180.0
|Oct sun = 226.3
|Nov sun = 249.0
|Dec sun = 282.1
|year sun = 
|Jand sun = 9.5
|Febd sun = 8.3
|Mard sun = 7.1
|Aprd sun = 5.4
|Mayd sun = 5.2
|Jund sun = 4.2
|Juld sun = 4.6
|Augd sun = 5.3
|Sepd sun = 6.0
|Octd sun = 7.3
|Novd sun = 8.3
|Decd sun = 9.1
|yeard sun = 6.7
| Jan light = 14.2
| Feb light = 13.3
| Mar light = 12.3
| Apr light = 11.2
| May light = 10.3
| Jun light = 9.8
| Jul light = 10.1
| Aug light = 10.9
| Sep light = 11.9
| Oct light = 13
| Nov light = 14
| Dec light = 14.5
| year light= 
| Jan uv  =12
| Feb uv  =11
| Mar uv  =9
| Apr uv  =6
| May uv  =3
| Jun uv  =2
| Jul uv  =2
| Aug uv  =4
| Sep uv  =6
| Oct uv  =8
| Nov uv  =10
| Dec uv  =12
| year uv =
|source 1 = [[Uruguayan Institute of Meteorology|Instituto Uruguayo de Metereología]]<ref name="DNM">{{Cite web |title=Estadísticas climatológicas : Estacion Meteorologica Prado |url=https://www.inumet.gub.uy/clima/estadisticas-climatologicas/tablas-estadisticas |access-date=7 September 2022 |publisher=Instituto Uruguayo de Metereología |language=es |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907145725/https://www.inumet.gub.uy/clima/estadisticas-climatologicas/tablas-estadisticas |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DNM1">{{Cite web |title=Records Meteorologicos En El Uruguay |url=http://www.rau.edu.uy/uruguay/geografia/records.txt |access-date=30 April 2014 |publisher=Dirección Nacional de Meteorología |language=es |archive-date=9 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609015041/http://www.rau.edu.uy/uruguay/geografia/records.txt |url-status=live }}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria]] (sun and humidity 1980–2009),<ref name="INIA">{{Cite web |last1=Castaño |first1=José |last2=Giménez |first2=Agustín |last3=Ceroni |first3=Mauricio |last4=Furest |first4=José |last5=Aunchayna |first5=Rossina |title=Caracterización Agroclimática del Uruguay 1980–2009 |url=http://www.inia.uy/Publicaciones/Documentos%20compartidos/18429021211104157.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212202531/http://www.inia.uy/Publicaciones/Documentos%20compartidos/18429021211104157.pdf |archive-date=12 December 2018 |access-date=12 December 2018 |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria |language=es}}</ref> [[NOAA]] (precipitation 1991–2020)<ref>{{cite web |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230807140751/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Uruguay/CSV/Prado_86585.csv |archive-date= 7 August 2023 |url= https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Uruguay/CSV/Prado_86585.csv |title= Prado Climate Normals 1991–2020 |work= World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020) |publisher= [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date= 7 August 2023 |url-status= live }}</ref>
Source 3: Weather Atlas(daylight-UV)<ref name="Weather Atlas"/>
|date=August 2010
}}

{|style="width:100%;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
!Colspan=14|Sea temperature data for Montevideo
|-
!Month
!Jan
!Feb
!Mar
!Apr
!May
!Jun
!Jul
!Aug
!Sep
!Oct
!Nov
!Dec
!style="border-left-width:medium"|Year
|-
!Average sea temperature °C (°F)
|style="background:#FF7100;color:#000000;"|24.2<br />(75.6)
|style="background:#FF8100;color:#000000;"|23.4<br />(74.1)
|style="background:#FF9500;color:#000000;"|22.4<br />(72.3)
|style="background:#FFD755;color:#000000;"|19.0<br />(66.2)
|style="background:#EEEEFF;color:#000000;"|15.9<br />(60.6)
|style="background:#C4C4FF;color:#000000;"|13.1<br />(55.6)
|style="background:#A9A9FF;color:#000000;"|11.3<br />(52.3)
|style="background:#B5B5FF;color:#000000;"|12.1<br />(53.8)
|style="background:#C7C7FF;color:#000000;"|13.3<br />(55.9)
|style="background:#FFFBEE;color:#000000;"|17.2<br />(63.0)
|style="background:#FFC810;color:#000000;"|19.8<br />(67.6)
|style="background:#FF9E00;color:#000000;"|21.9<br />(71.4)
|style="background:#FFEFBA;color:#000000;border-left-width:medium"|17.8<br />(64.0)
|-
!Colspan=14 style="background:#f8f9fa;font-weight:normal;font-size:95%;"|Source: Weather Atlas<ref name="Weather Atlas">{{Cite web |title=Montevideo, Uruguay – Monthly weather forecast and Climate data |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/uruguay/montevideo-climate |access-date=28 January 2019 |publisher=Weather Atlas |archive-date=29 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129064125/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/uruguay/montevideo-climate |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}

=== Administrative divisions and barrios ===
[[File:Montevideo Map.png|thumb|right|Map of the ''barrios'' of Montevideo]]
{{As of|2010}}, the city of Montevideo has been divided into 8 political municipalities (''Municipios''), referred to with letters from A to G, including CH, each presided over by a mayor elected by the citizens registered in the constituency. This division, according to the Municipality of Montevideo, "aims to advance political and administrative decentralization in the department of Montevideo, with the aim of deepening the democratic participation of citizens in governance."<ref>[http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/institucional/gobiernos-municipales/informacion-general Información general|Intendencia de Montevideo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426043951/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/institucional/gobiernos-municipales/informacion-general |date=26 April 2011 }}. Montevideo.gub.uy (23 August 2010). Retrieved on 20 November 2010.</ref> The head of each ''Municipio'' is called an ''alcalde'' or (if female) ''alcaldesa''.<ref>[http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/institucional/gobiernos-municipales/alcaldes-y-alcaldesas Alcaldes y alcaldesas|Intendencia de Montevideo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830143926/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/institucional/gobiernos-municipales/alcaldes-y-alcaldesas |date=30 August 2010 }}. Montevideo.gub.uy. Retrieved on 20 November 2010.</ref>

Of much greater importance is the division of the city into 62 ''barrios'': neighborhoods or wards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barrios of Montevideo, Uruguay |url=http://www.explore-uruguay.com/barrios-of-montevideo-uruguay.html |access-date=19 November 2010 |publisher=Explore Uruguay |archive-date=8 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208074248/http://www.explore-uruguay.com/barrios-of-montevideo-uruguay.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Many of the city's ''barrios''—such as [[Sayago, Montevideo|Sayago]], [[Ituzaingó, Montevideo|Ituzaingó]] and [[Pocitos]]—were previously geographically separate settlements, later absorbed by the growth of the city. Others grew up around certain industrial sites, including the [[Salting (food)|salt-curing]] works of [[Villa del Cerro]] and the [[tannery (facility)|tanneries]] in [[Nuevo París]]. Each ''barrio'' has its own identity, geographic location and socio-cultural activities. A neighborhood of great significance is Ciudad Vieja, that was surrounded by a protective wall until 1829. This area contains most important buildings of the colonial era and early decades of independence.

{{div col|colwidth=26em}}
# [[Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo|Ciudad Vieja]]
# [[Centro, Montevideo|Centro]]
# [[Barrio Sur, Montevideo|Barrio Sur]]
# [[Aguada, Montevideo|Aguada]]
# [[Villa Muñoz]], Goes, Retiro
# [[Cordón]]
# [[Palermo, Montevideo|Palermo]]
# [[Parque Rodó]]
# [[Tres Cruces]]
# [[La Comercial]]
# [[Larrañaga, Uruguay|Larrañaga]]
# [[La Blanqueada]]
# [[Parque Batlle|Parque Batlle – Villa Dolores]]
# [[Pocitos]]
# [[Punta Carretas]]
# [[Unión, Montevideo|Unión]]
# [[Buceo]]
# [[Malvín]]
# [[Malvín Norte]]
# [[Las Canteras, Uruguay|Las Canteras]]
# [[Punta Gorda, Montevideo|Punta Gorda]]
# [[Carrasco, Montevideo|Carrasco]]
# [[Carrasco Norte]]
# [[Bañados de Carrasco]]
# [[Flor de Maroñas]]
# [[Maroñas|Maroñas – Parque Guaraní]]
# [[Villa Española]]
# [[Ituzaingó, Montevideo|Ituzaingó]]
# [[Pérez Castellanos|Castro – Pérez Castellanos]]
# [[Bolívar, Montevideo|Mercado Modelo - Bolívar]]
# [[Brazo Oriental]]
# [[Jacinto Vera, Montevideo|Jacinto Vera]]
# [[La Figurita]]
# [[Reducto]]
# [[Capurro]] – [[Bella Vista, Montevideo|Bella Vista]], Arroyo Seco
# [[Prado, Montevideo|Prado – Nueva Savona]]
# [[Atahualpa, Montevideo|Atahualpa]]
# [[Aires Puros]]
# [[Paso de las Duranas]]
# [[Belvedere, Montevideo|Belvedere]]
# [[La Teja]]
# [[Tres Ombúes|Tres Ombúes – Pueblo Victoria]]
# [[Villa del Cerro]]
# [[Casabó|Casabó – Pajas Blancas]], Rincón del Cerro
# [[La Paloma, Montevideo|La Paloma – Tomkinson]]
# [[Paso de la Arena|Paso de la Arena – Los Bulevares]] – [[Santiago Vázquez, Montevideo|Santiago Vázquez]]
# [[Nuevo París]]
# [[Conciliación]]
# [[Sayago, Montevideo|Sayago]]
# [[Peñarol, Montevideo|Peñarol – Lavalleja]]
# [[Colón Centro y Noroeste]]
# [[Lezica|Lezica – Melilla]]
# [[Colón Sudeste|Colón Sudeste – Abayubá]]
# [[Manga, Toledo Chico|Manga – Toledo Chico]]
# [[Casavalle]], Barrio Borro
# [[Cerrito, Montevideo|Cerrito de la Victoria]]
# [[Las Acacias, Montevideo|Las Acacias]]
# [[Jardines del Hipódromo]]
# [[Piedras Blancas, Montevideo|Piedras Blancas]]
# [[Manga, Montevideo|Manga]]
# [[Punta de Rieles - Bella Italia]]
# [[Villa García|Villa García – Manga Rural]]
{{div col end}}

=== Landmarks ===
[[File:Palácio Salvo (3767077980).jpg|thumb|Palacio Salvo.]]
[[File:Letras Montevideo en Pocitos.jpg|left|thumb|232x232px|[[Pocitos]] is the most populous Montevideo neighborhood.]]
The architecture of Montevideo ranges from [[Neoclassicism|Neoclassical]] buildings such as the [[Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral]] to the late-modern style of the [[World Trade Center Montevideo]] or the {{convert|158|m|ft|adj=on|sp=us}} [[Antel Tower|ANTEL Telecommunication Tower]], the tallest skyscraper in the country. Along with the Telecommunications Tower, the [[Palacio Salvo]] dominates the skyline of the Bay of Montevideo. The building facades in the Old Town reflect the city's extensive European immigration, displaying the influence of old European architecture. Notable government buildings include the [[Palacio Legislativo (Uruguay)|Legislative Palace]], the [[City Hall of Montevideo|City Hall]], [[Estévez Palace]] and the [[Executive Tower]]. The most notable sports stadium is the [[Estadio Centenario]] within [[Parque Batlle]]. Parque Batlle, [[Parque Rodó]] and [[Prado, Montevideo|Parque Prado]] are Montevideo's three great parks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parques y plazas |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/parques-y-plazas |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044228/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/parques-y-plazas |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=Intendencia de Montevideo}}</ref>

The [[Pocitos]] district, near the beach of the same name, has many homes built by Bello and Reboratti between 1920 and 1940, with a mixture of styles. Other landmarks in Pocitos are the "[[Edificio Panamericano]]" designed by Raul Sichero,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Platero, Guillermo Gómez |title=Guillermo Gómez Platero, arquitecto |publisher=Editorial Dos Puntos |year=2002}}</ref> and the "Positano" and "El Pilar" designed by Adolfo Sommer Smith and [[Luis García Pardo]] in the 1950s and 1960s. However, the construction boom of the 1970s and 1980s transformed the face of this neighborhood, with a cluster of modern apartment buildings for [[Gentrification|upper and upper middle-class residents]].<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |title=The Interior, Littoral, Greater Montevideo and Coast |url=https://countrystudies.us/uruguay/28.htm |website=[[Library of Congress Country Studies|Country Studies]] |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=4 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Portes |first=Alejandro |date=1989 |title=Latin American Urbanization during the Years of the Crisis |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2503697 |journal=[[Latin American Research Review]] |volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=19 |access-date=4 October 2025}}</ref>

==== Palacio Legislativo ====
[[File:Palacio Legislativo--.JPG|thumb|The [[Palacio Legislativo (Uruguay)|Legislative Palace]].]]
The [[Palacio Legislativo (Uruguay)|Palacio Legislativo]] in Aguada, north of the city center, is the seat of the [[General Assembly of Uruguay|Uruguayan Parliament]]. Construction started in 1904 and was sponsored by the government of President [[José Batlle y Ordóñez]].<ref name="travel">{{Cite web |title=Montevideo Travel Guide |url=http://www.easydestination.net/2MONTEVIDEO.html |access-date=17 November 2010 |publisher=Easy Destination |archive-date=1 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501105337/http://www.easydestination.net/2MONTEVIDEO.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref> It was designed by [[Architecture of Italy|Italian architects]] [[Vittorio Meano]] and {{interlanguage link|Gaetano Moretti|it}}, who planned the building's interior. Among the notable contributors to the project was sculptor [[José Belloni]], who contributed numerous [[relief]]s and [[allegorical sculpture]]s.<ref name=travel/>

==== World Trade Center Montevideo ====

[[File:World Trade Center Montevideo.jpg|thumb|left|[[World Trade Center Montevideo]].]]
{{main|World Trade Center Montevideo}}
[[World Trade Center Montevideo]] officially opened in 1998, but work was completed in 2009. The complex is composed of three towers, two three-story buildings called World Trade Center Plaza and World Trade Center Avenue and a large central square called Towers Square. World Trade Center 1 was the first building to be inaugurated, in 1998.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} It has 22 floors and 17,100 square meters of space. That same year the avenue and the auditorium were raised. World Trade Center 2 was inaugurated in 2002, a twin tower of World Trade Center 1. Finally, in 2009, World Trade Center 3 and the World Trade Center Plaza and the Towers Square were inaugurated. It is located between the avenues Luis Alberto de Herrera and 26 de Marzo and has 19 floors and {{convert|27000|sqm|sqft|sp=us}} of space. The {{convert|6300|sqm|sqft|adj=on|sp=us}} {{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} World Trade Center Plaza is designed to be a center of gastronomy opposite Towers Square and Bonavita St.

The Towers Square, is an area of remarkable aesthetic design, intended to be a platform for the development of business activities, art exhibitions, dance and music performances and social places. This square connects the different buildings and towers which comprise the WTC Complex and it is the main access to the complex. The square contains various works of art, notably a sculpture by renowned Uruguayan sculptor [[Pablo Atchugarry]]. World Trade Center 4, with 40 floors and {{convert|53500|sqm|sqft|sp=us}} of space is under construction {{As of|2010|lc=y}}.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}

==== Telecommunications Tower ====
[[File:Torre Antel - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Antel Tower|Telecommunications Tower]].]]
{{Main|Telecommunications Tower (Montevideo)}}
Torre de las Telecomunicaciones (Telecommunications Tower) or Torre Antel (Antel Tower) is the {{convert|158|m|ft|sp=us}}, 37-floor headquarters of Uruguay's [[government-owned]] telecommunications company, [[ANTEL]], and is the tallest building in the country. It was designed by architect [[Carlos Ott]]. It is situated by the side of the Bay of Montevideo. The tower was completed by [[American Bridge Company]] and other design/build consortium team members on 15 March 2000.

When its construction was announced, many politicians complained about its cost (US$40&nbsp;million, plus US$25&nbsp;million for the construction of the other 5 buildings of the Telecommunications Complex). Problems during its construction turned the original US$65&nbsp;million price into US$102&nbsp;million.

==== Ciudad Vieja (Old City) ====
{{main|Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo}}
[[File:Alcohólicos Anónimos, Montevideo URU.jpg|thumb|Headquarters of Alcohólicos Anónimos in Montevideo]]
Ciudad Vieja was the earliest part of the city to be developed and today it constitutes a prominent ''[[barrio]]'' of southwest Montevideo. It contains many colonial buildings and national heritage sites, but also many banks, administrative offices, museums, art galleries, cultural institutions, restaurants and nightclubs, making it vibrant with life. Its northern coast is the main port of Uruguay, one of the few deep-draft ports in the Southern Cone of South America.

[[File:PlazaConstitución.jpg|thumb|left|Plaza de la Constitución in winter.]]
Montevideo's most important [[plaza]] is [[Plaza Independencia]], located between Ciudad Vieja and [[Centro, Montevideo|downtown]] Montevideo. It starts with the [[Ciudadela, Montevideo|Gateway of The Citadel]] at one end and ends at the beginning of [[18 de Julio Avenue]]. It is the remaining part of the wall that surrounded the oldest part of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Visiting Colonia and Montevideo Uruguay: Recipe for a great visit |url=http://www.offbeattravel.com/uruguay-montevideo-colonia-attractions.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204134633/http://www.offbeattravel.com/uruguay-montevideo-colonia-attractions.html |archive-date=4 December 2010 |access-date=18 November 2010 |publisher=Offbeattravel}}</ref> Several notable buildings are located here. 
[[File:TEATRO SOLIS 01.JPG|thumb|Solís Theatre.]]The [[Solís Theatre]] is Uruguay's oldest theater. It was built in 1856 and is owned by the government of Montevideo. In 1998, the government of Montevideo started a major reconstruction of the theater, which included two US$110,000 columns designed by [[Philippe Starck]]. The reconstruction was completed in 2004, and the theater reopened in August of that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/archivo/Nota.asp?nota_id=630831|title="Se reabrió el Teatro Solís", ''La Nación'', 27 August 2004|access-date=28 November 2018|archive-date=31 August 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040831055419/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/archivo/Nota.asp?nota_id=630831|url-status=dead}}</ref> The plaza is also the site of the offices of the [[President of Uruguay]] (both the [[Estévez Palace]] and the [[Executive Tower]]). The [[Artigas Mausoleum]] is located at the center of the plaza. Statues include that of [[José Gervasio Artigas]], a hero of Uruguay's independence movement; an honor guard keeps vigil at the Mausoleum.<ref name="Sights">{{Cite web |title=Sights in Montevideo |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/uruguay/montevideo/sights |access-date=16 November 2010 |publisher=Lonely Planet |archive-date=30 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430184547/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/uruguay/montevideo/sights |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Palacio Salvo]], at the intersection of 18 de Julio Avenue and Plaza Independencia, was designed by the architect [[Mario Palanti]] and completed in 1925. Palanti, an Italian immigrant living in Buenos Aires, used a similar design for his [[Palacio Barolo]] in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Palacio Salvo stands {{convert|100|m|ft|sp=us}} high, including its antenna. It is built on the former site of the Confitería La Giralda, renowned for being where [[Gerardo Matos Rodríguez]] wrote his tango "[[La Cumparsita]]" (1917.)<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110430014946/http://www.jaimegorenstein.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1099&Itemid=1090 Buscando la Verdad – La Cumparcita]}} at {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20181102220625/http://jaimegorenstein.com/ jaimegorenstein.com]}}</ref> Palacio Salvo was originally intended to function as a hotel but is now a mixture of offices and private residences.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mimi Bohm |title=Buenos Aires, Art Nouveau |publisher=Ediciones Xavier Verstraeten |year=2005 |location=Buenos Aires}}</ref>

Also of major note in Ciudad Vieja is the [[Constitution Square (Montevideo)|Plaza de la Constitución]] (or ''Plaza Matriz''). During the first decades of Uruguayan independence this square was the main hub of city life. On the square are the [[Cabildo de Montevideo|Cabildo]]—the seat of colonial government—and the [[Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral]]. The cathedral is the burial place of [[Fructuoso Rivera]], [[Juan Antonio Lavalleja]] and [[Venancio Flores]]. Another notable square is [[Plaza Zabala]] with the equestrian statue of [[Bruno Mauricio de Zabala]]. On its south side, [[Palacio Taranco]], once residence of the Ortiz Taranco brothers, is now the Museum of Decorative Arts. A few blocks northwest of Plaza Zabala is the [[Mercado del Puerto]], another major tourist destination.
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==== Parque Batlle ====
{{main|Parque Batlle}}
[[File:La Carreta y su reflejo.JPG|thumb|Monumento La Carreta.]]
Parque Batlle<ref name="Finzer">Finzer, p. 98</ref> (formerly: ''Parque de los Aliados'',<ref name="detubarrio">{{Cite web |title=El Parque Batlle |url=http://www.detubarrio.com/noticias/El-Parque-Batlle.php?not=14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430184357/http://www.detubarrio.com/noticias/El-Parque-Batlle.php?not=14 |archive-date=30 April 2011 |access-date=14 November 2010 |website=detubarrio.com |language=es}}</ref> translation: "Park of the Allies") is a major public central park, located south of [[Avenida Italia]] and north of Avenue Rivera. Along with [[Prado, Montevideo|Parque Prado]] and [[Parque Rodó]] it is one of three large parks that dominate Montevideo.<ref>Finzer, p. 11</ref> The park and surrounding area constitute one of the 62 neighborhoods (''barrios'') of the city. The barrio of Parque Batlle is one of seven coastal barrios, the others being [[Buceo]], Carrasco, Malvin, [[Pocitos]], Punta Carretas, and Punta Gorda.<ref name="Couriel">{{Cite book |last=Couriel |first=Jack |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Uq7GKtzfoEC&pg=PA77 |title=De cercanías a lejanías. Fragmentación sociourbana del Gran Montevideo |publisher=Ediciones Trilce |year=2010 |isbn=978-9974-32-539-5 |page=77 |language=es |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141502/https://books.google.com/books?id=1Uq7GKtzfoEC&pg=PA77#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> The barrio of Parque Battle includes four former districts: Belgrano, Italiano, Villa Dolores and Batlle Park itself and borders the neighborhoods of [[La Blanqueada]], [[Tres Cruces]], Pocitos and Buceo. It has a high population density and most of its households are of medium-high- or high-income.<ref>{{Cite book |last=World Bank |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W5pCnEesgTEC&pg=PA225 |title=The Quality of Life in Latin American Cities: Markets and Perception |publisher=World Bank Publications |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-8213-7837-3 |page=225 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141538/https://books.google.com/books?id=W5pCnEesgTEC&pg=PA225#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> Villa Dolores, a sub-district of Parque Batlle, took its name from the original villa of Don Alejo Rossell y Rius and of Doña Dolores Pereira de Rossel. On their grounds, they started a private collection of animals that became a zoological garden and was passed to the city in 1919;<ref name="montevideo.gub.uy/Zoologico">{{Cite web |date=19 January 2010 |title=Zoologico Villa Dolores |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/zoo-villa-dolores/zoologico-villa-dolores |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044824/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/zoo-villa-dolores/zoologico-villa-dolores |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=16 November 2010 |website=montevideo.gub.uy |language=es}}</ref> in 1955 the [[Planetario de Montevideo|Planetarium of Montevideo]] was built within its premises.<ref name="montevideo.gub.uy/planetario">{{Cite web |title=Planetario |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/planetario/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217013314/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/planetario/ |archive-date=17 December 2010 |access-date=16 November 2010 |website=montevideo.gub.uy |language=es}}</ref>
[[File:Obelisco a los Constituyentes de 1830. (1).JPG|thumb|[[Obelisk of Montevideo]] in the Parque Batlle.]]
Parque Batlle is named in honor of [[José Batlle y Ordóñez]], [[President of Uruguay]] from 1911 to 1915.<ref name="montevideogubuy" /> The park was originally proposed by an Act of March 1907, which also projected wide boulevards and avenues.<ref name=Parque/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Parque Batlle |url=http://www.parquebatlle.tk/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071104125557/http://www.parquebatlle.tk/ |archive-date=4 November 2007 |access-date=14 November 2010 |publisher=Parque Batlle |language=es}}</ref> French landscape architect, [[Carlos Thays]], began the plantings in 1911. In 1918, the park was named ''Parque de los Aliados'', following the victory of the [[Allies of World War I|Allies of World War&nbsp;I]]. On 5 May 1930, after significant expansion, it was again renamed as Parque Batlle y Ordóñez, in memory of the prominent politician and president, who had died in 1929.<ref name=Parque/> The park was designated a National Historic Monument Park in 1975.<ref name="montevideogubuy">{{Cite web |last=Prensa, Comunicación y Relaciones Públicas |title=Parque Batlle |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/parques-y-plazas/parque-batlle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044155/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/parques-y-plazas/parque-batlle |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=14 November 2010 |website=Government of Montevideo |language=es}}</ref><ref name=Parque/> {{As of|2010}}, the park covers an area of {{convert|60|ha|acre}} and is considered the "lung" of the Montevideo city due to the large variety of trees planted here.<ref name="Parque">[[Parque Batlle]], Retrieved 15 November 2010</ref>{{Better source needed|date=November 2015|reason=[[WP:CIRCULAR]]}}

The [[Estadio Centenario]], the national football stadium, opened in 1930 for the first [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]], and later hosted several other sporting grounds of note (see ''[[#Sports|Sports]]'').

In 1934, sculptor [[José Belloni]]'s "La Carreta", a bronze monument on granite base,<ref name="turismoenuruguaycomuy">{{Cite web |date=18 November 2009 |title=Monumento a La Carreta en el Parque Batlle |url=http://www.turismoenuruguay.com.uy/articulos/articulos_masinfo.php?id=61&secc=articulos&cr=&path=0.549.550 |access-date=14 November 2010 |website=turismoenuruguay.com.uy |language=es |archive-date=27 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427084137/http://www.turismoenuruguay.com.uy/articulos/articulos_masinfo.php?id=61&secc=articulos&cr=&path=0.549.550 |url-status=dead }}</ref> was installed on Avenida Lorenzo Merola near Estadio Centenario. One of several statues in the park, it depicts [[yoke]]d oxen pulling a loaded wagon.<ref name="Box">{{Cite book |last=Box |first=Ben |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FU0O28CP63IC&pg=PP33 |title=The South American handbook |publisher=Footprint Travel Guides |year=2003 |isbn=1-903471-70-2 |volume=80 |page=1260 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141512/https://books.google.com/books?id=FU0O28CP63IC&pg=PP33 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was designated a national monument in 1976.<ref name="turismoenuruguaycomuy" /> Another statue on the same side of the park is a bronze copy of the [[Discobolus]] of Myron.

On the west side of Parque Batlle, on [[Artigas Boulevard]], the 1938 [[Obelisk of Montevideo]] is a monument dedicated to those who created the first Constitution. The work of sculptor [[José Luis Zorrilla de San Martín]] (1891–1975), it is a three-sided granite obelisk, {{convert|40|m|ft|sp=us}} tall, with bronze statues on its three sides, representing "Law", "Liberty", and "Force", respectively. It has been a National Heritage Site since 1976.<ref name="montevideo.gub.uy">{{Cite web |date=21 November 2009 |title=Obelisco a los Constituyentes |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/arquitectura/estatuas-y-monumentos/obelisco-los-constituyentes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044019/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/arquitectura/estatuas-y-monumentos/obelisco-los-constituyentes |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=14 November 2010 |website=montevideo.gub.uy |language=es}}</ref>

==== Parque Prado ====
{{main|Parque Prado}}
[[File:Puente sobre el arroyo Miguelete en el Parque del Prado.JPG|left|thumb|225x225px|Bridge over the Miguelete stream in the Prado Park.]]
Established in 1873, the largest of Montevideo's six main public parks is the {{convert|1.06|km2|acre|adj=on}} [[Parque Prado]].<ref name="Bulletin27">{{Cite book |last=International Bureau of the American Republics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vdQ-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA947 |title=Bulletin of the International Bureau of the American Republics |publisher=The Bureau |year=1908 |volume=27 |page=947 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141501/https://books.google.com/books?id=vdQ-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA947#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> Located in the northern part of the city, the Miguelete Creek flows through the park and the neighborhood and of the same name. It is surrounded by the avenues Agraciada, Obes Lucas, Joaquín Suárez, Luis Alberto de Herrera and by the streets Castro and José María Reyes.

The most frequented areas of the park are the ''Rosedal'', a public rose garden with [[pergola]]s, the Botanical Garden, the area around the Hotel del Prado, as well as the ''Rural del Prado'', a seasonal cattle and farm animal fairground. The Rosedal contains four pergolas, eight domes, and a fountain; its 12,000 roses were imported from France in 1910.<ref name="Rosedal">{{Cite web |date=14 June 2010 |title=Rosedal |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/parques-y-plazas/rosedal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044540/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/parques-y-plazas/rosedal |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=18 November 2010 |publisher=Government of Montevideo}}</ref> There are several jogging paths along the Miguelete river.

The Presidential Residence is located behind the Botanical Gardens. Established in 1930, [[Juan Manuel Blanes Museum]] is situated in the [[Palladian architecture|Palladian]] villa, a National Heritage Site since 1975, and includes a Japanese garden.<ref name="MuseoBlanes">{{Cite web |date=6 September 2010 |title=Museo Blanes |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/museos-y-salas/museo-blanes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044450/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/museos-y-salas/museo-blanes |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=18 November 2010 |publisher=Government of Montevideo}}</ref> The Professor Atilio Lombardo Museum and Botanical Gardens were established in 1902. The National Institute of Physical Climatology and its observatory are also in the Prado.<ref name="Mesa">{{Cite book |last=Mesa |first=Rosa Quintero |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z5XfAAAAMAAJ&q=Prado+montevideo |title=Uruguay |publisher=Xerox University Microfilms |year=1973 |isbn=0-8357-0079-8 |edition=Snippet view |page=139 |access-date=22 October 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141541/https://books.google.com/books?id=z5XfAAAAMAAJ&q=Prado+montevideo |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Parque Rodó ====
{{main|Parque Rodó}}
[[File:BMR Parquerodo08@0.jpg|left|thumb|Parque Rodó park.]]
[[File:Carrousel iluminado.JPG|thumb|241x241px|Parque Rodó amusement park.]]
[[Parque Rodó]] is both a ''barrio'' (neighborhood) of Montevideo and a park which lies mostly outside the limits of the neighborhood itself and belongs to [[Punta Carretas]]. The name "Rodó" commemorates José Enrique Rodó, an important Uruguayan writer whose monument is in the southern side of the main park. The park was conceived as a French-style city park.<ref name="Urug Now">{{Cite web |title=Pocitos Punta Carretas |url=http://www.uruguaynow.com/pocitos_punta_carretas.php |access-date=21 November 2010 |publisher=Uruguay Now |archive-date=1 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501052518/http://www.uruguaynow.com/pocitos_punta_carretas.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Apart from the main park area which is delimited by Sarmiento Avenue to the south, Parque Rodó includes an amusement park; the [[Estadio Luis Franzini]], belonging to Defensor Sporting; the front lawn of the Faculty of Engineering and a strip west of the [[Club de Golf del Uruguay|Club de Golf de Punta Carretas]] that includes the ''Canteras'' ("quarry") ''del Parque Rodó'', the ''Teatro de Verano'' ("summer theatre") and the ''Lago'' ("lake") ''del Parque Rodó''.<ref name="Google maps">{{Cite web |title=Parque Rodó – Google Maps |url=https://www.google.es/maps/place/Parque+Rod%C3%B3,+Montevideo,+Departamento+de+Montevideo,+Uruguay/@-34.9142554,-56.1723553,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x959f81a4e4e649a1:0xeeee2dc3874fb014!8m2!3d-34.9127992!4d-56.1651513 |access-date=20 September 2019 |publisher=[[Google Maps]] |archive-date=20 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920082125/https://www.google.es/maps/place/Parque%2BRod%25C3%25B3,%2BMontevideo,%2BDepartamento%2Bde%2BMontevideo,%2BUruguay/@-34.9142554,-56.1723553,16z/data%3D!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x959f81a4e4e649a1:0xeeee2dc3874fb014!8m2!3d-34.9127992!4d-56.1651513 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Facultad de Ingeniería ubicada en Montevideo.jpg|thumb|229x229px|Faculty of Engineering located in Parque Rodó.]]
On the east side of the main park area is the National Museum of Visual Arts. On this side, a street market takes place every Sunday. On the north side is an artificial lake with a little castle housing a municipal library for children. An area to its west is used as an open-air exhibition of photography. West of the park, across the coastal avenue Rambla Presidente Wilson, stretches Ramirez Beach. Directly west of the main park area, and belonging to Parque Rodó ''barrio'', there is the former ''Parque Hotel'', now called ''Edifício Mercosur'', the seat of the parliament of the member countries of the [[Mercosur]].<ref name="ParlMercosur">{{Cite web |title=Visitas al Parlamento |url=http://www.parlamentodelmercosur.org/innovaportal/v/158/1/secretaria/visitas_al_parlamento.html?rightmenuid=154 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513183859/http://www.parlamentodelmercosur.org/innovaportal/v/158/1/secretaria/visitas_al_parlamento.html?rightmenuid=154 |archive-date=13 May 2011 |access-date=21 November 2010 |publisher=Parlamento del Mercosur}}</ref> During the guerilla war the [[Tupamaros]] frequently attacked buildings in this area, including the old hotel.<ref>Buchert, Beverly J., ''The Tupamaros: anomalies of guerrilla war'', [[University of Kansas]], 1979</ref>

==== Forts ====
The first set of subsidiary forts was planned by the Portuguese at Montevideo in 1701 to establish a front-line base to stop frequent insurrections by the Spaniards emanating from Buenos Aires. These fortifications were planned within the River Plate estuary at [[Colonia del Sacramento]]. However, this plan came to fruition only in November 1723, when Captain Manuel Henriques de Noronha reached the shores of Montevideo with soldiers, guns and colonists on his warship ''Nossa Senhora de Oliveara''. They built a small square fortification. However, under siege from forces from Buenos Aires, the Portuguese withdrew from Montevideo Bay in January 1724, after signing an agreement with the Spaniards.<ref name="Marley">{{Cite book |last=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q1a4j2HNmjUC&pg=PA817 |title=Historic cities of the Americas: an illustrated encyclopedia, Volume 1 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2005 |isbn=1-57607-027-1 |page=817 |access-date=17 November 2010 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141502/https://books.google.com/books?id=q1a4j2HNmjUC&pg=PA817 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===== Fortaleza del Cerro (Fortress del Cerro) =====
[[File:Fortaleza del cerro (fachada).jpg|thumb|Fortaleza del Cerro.]]
{{main|Fortaleza del Cerro}}
Fortaleza del Cerro overlooks the bay of Montevideo. An observation post at this location was first built by the Spanish in the late 18th century. In 1802, a beacon replaced the observation post; construction of the fortress began in 1809 and was completed in 1839.<ref name="Fortaleza" /> It has been involved in many historical developments and has been repeatedly taken over by various sides. In 1907, the old beacon was replaced with a stronger electric one. It has been a National Monument since 1931<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cerro – Municipio A |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/datos-%C3%BAtiles/barrios/cerro-municipio |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426045044/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/datos-%C3%BAtiles/barrios/cerro-municipio |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=Intendencia de Montevideo}}</ref> and has housed a military museum since 1916.<ref name="Fortaleza" /> Today it is one of the tourist attractions of Montevideo.

====Punta Brava Lighthouse====
[[File:Faro Punta Brava, Montevideo.jpg|thumb|Punta Brava lighthouse.]]
[[Punta Brava Lighthouse]] (''Faro Punta Brava''), also known as Punta Carretas Lighthouse, was erected in 1876. The lighthouse is {{convert|21|m|ft|sp=us}} high and its light reaches {{convert|15|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} away, with a flash every ten seconds.<ref name="HCV">{{Cite web |title=Our Neighbourhood |url=http://www.hotelcaladivolpe.com.uy/img/pdf/cala_vecindario_fr.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430223823/http://www.hotelcaladivolpe.com.uy/img/pdf/cala_vecindario_fr.pdf |archive-date=30 April 2011 |access-date=19 November 2010 |publisher=Hotel Caladivolpe}}</ref> In 1962, the lighthouse became electric. The lighthouse is important for guiding boats into the Banco Inglés Buceo Port or the entrance of the Santa Lucía River.

==== Rambla of Montevideo ====
{{main|Rambla of Montevideo}}
The '''Rambla''' is an avenue that goes along the entire [[coastline]] of Montevideo. The literal meaning of the Spanish word ''rambla'' is "avenue" or "watercourse", but in the Americas it is mostly used as "coastal avenue", and since all the southern [[departments of Uruguay]] border either the Río de la Plata or the Atlantic Ocean, they all have ''ramblas'' as well. As an integral part of Montevidean identity, the Rambla has been included by Uruguay in the Indicative List of [[List of World Heritage Sites in the Americas|World Heritage]] sites,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/delegates/uruguay/noticial.html#actualiza|title=UNESCO: Rambla of Montevideo candidacy}}</ref> though it has not received this status. Previously, the entire Rambla was called ''Rambla Naciones Unidas'' ("United Nations"), but in recent times different names have been given to specific parts of it.

The Rambla is a very important site for recreation and leisure in Montevideo. Every day, a large number of people go there to take long strolls, jog, bicycle, roller skate, fish and even—in a special area—skateboard. Its {{convert|27|km|adj=on|sp=us}} length makes it one of the longest esplanades in the world.<ref name="Rambla">{{Cite web |title=Rambla |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/costa/rambla |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026233515/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/costa/rambla |archive-date=26 October 2010 |access-date=12 December 2010 |publisher=Intendencia de Montevideo}}</ref>

Montevideo is noted for its beaches, which are particularly important because 60% of the population spends the summer in the city.<ref name="Rambla" /> Its best-known beaches are Ramírez, [[Pocitos]], [[Carrasco, Montevideo|Carrasco]], [[Buceo]] and [[Malvín]]. Further east and west are other beaches including the Colorada, Punta Espinillo, Punta Yeguas, Zabala and Santa Catarina.

==== Cemeteries ====
[[File:2016 cementerio Montevideo.jpg|thumb|left|Central Cemetery.]]
There are five large [[cemetery|cemeteries]] in Montevideo, all administered by the "Fúnebre y Necrópolis" annex of the Intendencia of Montevideo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fúnebre y Necrópolis &#124; Intendencia de Montevideo |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/dependencias/1087 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805084235/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/dependencias/1087 |archive-date=5 August 2011 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Montevideo.gub.uy}}</ref>

The largest cemetery is the [[Cementerio del Norte, Montevideo|Cementerio del Norte]], located in the northern-central part of the city. The [[Central Cemetery of Montevideo|Central Cemetery]] (Spanish: ''Cementerio central''), located in [[Barrio Sur, Montevideo|Barrio Sur]] in the southern area of the city, is one of Uruguay's main cemeteries. It was one of the first cemeteries (in contrast to church graveyards) in the country, founded in 1835 at a time when burials were still carried out by the Catholic Church. It is the burial place of many of the most famous Uruguayans, such as [[Eduardo Blanco Acevedo|Eduardo Acevedo]], [[Delmira Agustini]], [[Luis Batlle Berres]], [[José Batlle y Ordóñez]], [[Juan Manuel Blanes]], François Ducasse, father of [[Comte de Lautréamont]] (Isidore Ducasse),<ref>[http://www.elpais.com.uy/Suple/DS/09/02/22/sds_400223.asp ''Arte oculto en el cementerio''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830091521/http://www.elpais.com.uy/Suple/DS/09/02/22/sds_400223.asp |date=30 August 2010 }} – elpais.com.uy {{in lang|es}}</ref> [[Luis Alberto de Herrera]], [[Benito Nardone]], [[José Enrique Rodó]], and [[Juan Zorrilla de San Martín]].

The other large cemeteries are the [[Cementerio del Buceo]], [[Cementerio del Cerro, Montevideo|Cementerio del Cerro]], and [[Cementerio Paso Molino]].
[[The British Cemetery Montevideo]] (Cementerio Británico) is another of the oldest cemeteries in Uruguay, located in the [[Buceo]] neighborhood. Many [[nobility|noblemen]] and eminent persons are buried there. The cemetery originated when the Englishman Thomas Samuel Hood purchased a plot of land in the name of the English residents in 1828. However, in 1884 the government compensated the British by moving the cemetery to Buceo to accommodate city growth. A section of the cemetery, known as [[British Cemetery Montevideo Soldiers and Sailors]], contains the graves of quite a number of sailors of different nationalities, although the majority are of British descent. One [[United States Marine Corps|United States Marine]], Henry de Costa, is buried here.<ref>[http://montevideo.usembassy.gov/usaweb/paginas/55-00EN.shtml Lone U.S. Marine in British Cemetery honoured on U.S. Marine Corps birthday] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527200342/http://montevideo.usembassy.gov/usaweb/paginas/55-00EN.shtml |date=27 May 2010 }}</ref>

=== Demographics ===
{{historical population|||1908|309331|1963|1202757|1975|1237227|1985|1311976|1996|1344839|2004|1325968|2011|1319108|2023|1302954|||||align=right|cols=1|source=Censuses<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resultados del Censo de Población 2011: población, crecimiento y estructura por sexo y edad |url=https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/sources/census/wphc/Uruguay/URY2011esPopulation.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Variables relevantes durante el siglo XX |url=https://www5.ine.gub.uy/documents/Demograf%C3%ADayEESS/PDF/Informes%20Demogr%C3%A1ficos/Variables%20Estad%C3%ADsticas%20Relevantes%20Durante%20el%20Siglo%20XX%20-%201%20Poblaci%C3%B3n.pdf |website=National Statistics Institute}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Menos gente en la capital: cuánto cayó la población en Montevideo y en dónde aumentó |url=https://www.montevideo.com.uy/Noticias/Menos-gente-en-la-capital-cuanto-cayo-la-poblacion-en-Montevideo-y-en-donde-aumento-uc909080 |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Montevideo Portal |language=es}}</ref><ref name="stats" />}}Montevideo is the most populous city in Uruguay, with 1,302,954 residents as of the 2023 census.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Censo Nacional 2023 contabilizó 3.499.451 habitantes en Uruguay {{!}} Opp - Oficina de Planeamiento y Presupuesto de la República |url=https://www.opp.gub.uy/es/noticias/censo-nacional-2023-contabilizo-3499451-habitantes-en-uruguay#:~:text=Con%20respecto%20a%20la%20distribuci%C3%B3n,como%20Flores,%20con%2026.271%20habitantes. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724234837/https://www.opp.gub.uy/es/noticias/censo-nacional-2023-contabilizo-3499451-habitantes-en-uruguay |archive-date=2025-07-24 |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=www.opp.gub.uy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Resultados Finales |url=https://www.gub.uy/instituto-nacional-estadistica/comunicacion/noticias/resultados-finales |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312095936/https://www.gub.uy/instituto-nacional-estadistica/comunicacion/noticias/resultados-finales |archive-date=2025-03-12 |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=[[National Statistics Institute (Uruguay)|National Statistics Institute]] |language=es}}</ref> The city's population in 2023 was 87.1% [[Uruguayans#Europeans or Whites|White]], 10.7% [[Afro-Uruguayans|Black]], 4,6% [[Multiracial people|Mixed]] and 0.8% Asian; 5.6% identified themselves as being of other ethnic-racial descent, noting that respondents were allowed to select more than one category.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terminó el censo: hay 3.286.314 personas en Uruguay |url=https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/termino-el-censo-hay-3-286-314-personas-en-uruguay-201281018450 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220123747/https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/termino-el-censo-hay-3-286-314-personas-en-uruguay-201281018450 |archive-date=2023-12-20 |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=El Observador |language=es-UY}}</ref> 
[[File:Puerto_de_Montevideo_-_00679FMHGE.tif|thumb|The [[port of Montevideo]] served as the primary gateway for immigrants arriving during the significant migratory waves of the 19th and 20th centuries]]
By 1880, the city's population had quadrupled, mainly because of the [[Immigration to Uruguay#European migration era (1890–1960)|great European immigration]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=siniestro |date=2022-12-29 |title=CAPÍTULO 9 |url=https://manualdemografia.cienciassociales.edu.uy/capitulo-9/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Manual de Demografía |language=es}}</ref> In 1908, its population had grown massively to 309,331 inhabitants.<ref name="Javier Meneses Silva">{{Cite web |last=Javier Meneses Silva |title=Datos en el cuerpo de todo el artículo |url=http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302094006/http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 |access-date=15 November 2010 |publisher=Tacuy.com.uy |language=es}}</ref> Since the mid-20th century, this area has been the main destination for most immigrants arriving in the country, largely due to its [[Port of Montevideo|port]]. The majority of these immigrants were [[Italian Uruguayans|Italian]] and [[Spanish Uruguayans|Spanish]], who together made up more than 70% of the foreign-born population in the country.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Murillo García |first=Julio Cesar |last2=Gutiérrez Morales |first2=Guillermo |last3=Gallego |first3=Elizabeth |date=2024-06-30 |title=La imagen territorial como síntesis identitaria de la mujer emberá chamí, residentes en el departamento de Risaralda, Colombia |url=https://doi.org/10.1344/sn2024.28.43359 |journal=Scripta Nova. Revista Electrónica de Geografía y Ciencias Sociales |volume=28 |issue=2 |doi=10.1344/sn2024.28.43359 |issn=1138-9788 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Other significant European origins include [[French Uruguayans|French]], [[German Uruguayans|German]], [[Portuguese Uruguayans|Portuguese]], [[Polish Uruguayans|Polish]], [[Irish Uruguayans|Irish]], [[Croatian Uruguayans|Croatian]], and [[Lithuanian Uruguayans|Lithuanian]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Vidart |first1=Daniel |url=https://anaforas.fic.edu.uy/jspui/bitstream/123456789/9985/1/Nuestra_tierra_39.pdf |title=El legado de los inmigrantes II |last2=Pi Hugarte |first2=Renzo |publisher=Editorial "Nuestra Tierra" |pages=52 |trans-title=Our land, the legacy of immigrants II |archive-date=15 January 2025 |access-date=3 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115063003/https://anaforas.fic.edu.uy/jspui/bitstream/123456789/9985/1/Nuestra_tierra_39.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Communities of [[Armenian Uruguayans|Armenians]], [[Lebanese Uruguayans|Lebanese]], and [[Japanese Uruguayans|Japanese]] also took root, along with both [[Ashkenazi Jews|Ashkenazi]] and [[Sephardic Jews|Sephardic]] Jewish groups.<ref name="espectador.com">{{Cite web |title=La historia del barrio Villa Muñoz, un rincón europeo |url=https://espectador.com/abrancancha/barriohistorias/la-historia-del-barrio-villa-munoz-un-rincon-europeo |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=El Espectador 810 |language=es-UY}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=“Todos somos descendientes del genocidio” |url=https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/-todos-somos-descendientes-del-genocidio--201542419560 |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=El Observador |language=es-UY}}</ref>  

There is also an [[Afro-Uruguayans|Afro-Uruguayan community]] in the city, composed of descendants of enslaved people brought over during the colonial era, as well as [[Afro-Brazilians|Afro-Brazilian]] immigrants who fled to Uruguay following the country's abolition of slavery in 1842—decades before Brazil did the same.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Ribeiro |first=Ana |author-link=Ana Ribeiro |url=http://www.academiadeletras.gub.uy/innovaportal/file/126960/1/revista_anl_6-7_2009_a18.pdf |title=De las independencias a los Estados republicanos (1810-50), Uruguay |publisher=Revista de la Academia Nacional de Letras |location=Montevideo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ruta de las Migraciones |url=https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-educacion-cultura/sites/ministerio-educacion-cultura/files/2024-06/Dosier%20Migraciones.pdf |website=Ministerio de Educación y Cultura}}</ref>  

As in the rest of the country, Christianity is the largest religion in Montevideo, with [[Catholic Church in Uruguay|Catholicism]] as the denomination with the most adherents, followed by Protestantism—particularly Evangelical, Methodist, and Lutheran branches.<ref>{{cite journal|access-date=2024-01-04 |last=Cooperman |last2=Bell |date=13 November 2014 |first=Alan |first2=James |page=12 |periodical=Pew Research Center |title=Religión en América Latina: cambio generalizado en una región históricamente católica |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2014/11/PEW-RESEARCH-CENTER-Religion-in-Latin-America-Overview-SPANISH-TRANSLATION-for-publication-11-13.pdf}}<!-- auto-translated from Spanish by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2024-01-04 |date=2019-08-16 |first=Gabriela |language=es |last=Cabrera |title=140 años. El Metodismo y su vocación educativa |url=https://www.crandon.edu.uy/140-anos-el-metodismo-y-su-vocacion-educativa/ |website=Instituto Crandon, Bilingual Education}}<!-- auto-translated from Spanish by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> There is also a significant proportion of [[Irreligion in Uruguay|irreligious]] and agnostic individuals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-28 |title=Uruguay es el país menos creyente de América Latina: el 47,3% aseguró no profesar ninguna religión |url=https://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/sociedad/uruguay-es-el-pais-menos-creyente-de-america-latina-aseguro-no-profesar-ninguna-religion |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=EL PAIS |language=es-UY}}</ref>

Approximately 20,000 Jews live in Montevideo, accounting for over 50% of [[History of the Jews in Uruguay|Uruguay’s Jewish population]]—one of the most prominent in Latin America.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 March 2011 |title=Touring Montevideo's Jewish Quarter |url=http://forward.com/articles/135932/touring-montevideo-s-jewish-quarters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126185534/http://forward.com/articles/135932/touring-montevideo-s-jewish-quarters/ |archive-date=26 November 2017 |access-date=28 May 2015 |publisher=Forward.com}}</ref>

== Government and politics ==

===Intendancy of Montevideo===
{{main|Intendancy of Montevideo}}
[[File:Intendencia de Montevideo 02.jpg|thumb|235x235px|The [[Palacio Municipal (Montevideo)|Palacio Municipal]] is the [[City Hall]] of Montevideo.]]
The Intendancy of Montevideo was first created by a legal act of 18 December 1908.<ref>[http://www.ccee.edu.uy/ensenian/catderpu/material/departamentales.PDF Propiedad de las Chacras del Ejido de Bella Union] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427042410/http://www.ccee.edu.uy/ensenian/catderpu/material/departamentales.PDF |date=27 April 2011 }}, Asociación de Escribanos del Uruguay Informe de la Comisión de Derecho Público {{in lang|es}}</ref> The municipality's first mayor (1909–1911) was Daniel Muñoz. Municipalities were abolished by the [[Uruguayan Constitution of 1918]], effectively restored during the 1933 military coup of [[Gabriel Terra]], and formally restored by the [[Uruguayan Constitution of 1934|1934 Constitution]]. The [[Uruguayan Constitution of 1952|1952 Constitution]] again decided to abolish the municipalities; it came into effect in February 1955. Municipalities were replaced by departmental councils, which consisted of a collegiate executive board with 7 members from Montevideo and 5 from the interior region. However, municipalities were revived under the 1967 Constitution and have operated continuously since that time.

Since 1990, Montevideo has been partially decentralized into 18 areas; administration and services for each area is provided by its Zonal Community Center (''Centro Comunal Zonal'', CCZ), which is subordinate to the Intendancy of Montevideo.<ref>[http://www.chasque.net/vecinet/goblocal.htm Los Organos del Gobierno Local y el Presupuesto Participativo de Montevideo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118094746/http://www.chasque.net/vecinet/goblocal.htm |date=18 November 2010 }}. Chasque.net. Retrieved on 20 November 2010.</ref><ref>[http://municipalesps.com/documentos/descentenmdeo.htm La descentralización en Montevideo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513183858/http://municipalesps.com/documentos/descentenmdeo.htm |date=13 May 2011 }}. Municipalesps.com. Retrieved on 20 November 2010.</ref> The boundaries of the municipal districts of Montevideo were created on 12 July 1993, and successively amended on 19 October 1993, 6 June 1994 and 10 November 1994. In 2010, the city CCZ were abolished and eight municipalities were created instead.

The city government of Montevideo performs several functions, including maintaining communications with the public, promoting culture, organizing society, caring for the environment and regulating traffic. The city hall is the [[Palacio Municipal (Montevideo)|Palacio Municipal]] on 18 de Julio Avenue in the [[Centro, Montevideo|Centro]] area of Montevideo.<ref>[http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/institucional/tramites-y-servicios Trámites y servicios|Intendencia de Montevideo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426045333/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/institucional/tramites-y-servicios |date=26 April 2011 }}. Montevideo.gub.uy. Retrieved on 20 November 2010.</ref>

The legislative branch of government, the Junta Departamental, or the Congress of Montevideo, governs the [[Montevideo Department|Department of Montevideo]]. The Junta, composed of 31 unsalaried elected members, is responsible for such things as the freedom of the citizens, the regulation of cultural activities, the naming of streets and public places, and the placement of monuments; it also responds to proposals of the Intendant in various circumstances.<ref name="juntamvd.gub.uy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.juntamvd.gub.uy/es/parlamento/index.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421225825/http://www.juntamvd.gub.uy/es/parlamento/index.html |url-status=dead |title=El Parlamento de Montevideo|archive-date=21 April 2013}}</ref> Its seat is the architecturally remarkable Casa de Francisco Gómez in Ciudad Vieja.<ref name="juntamvd.gub.uy" />

A 2016 private ranking named ''Subnational Legislative Online Opening Index'' measured the data availability in official websites, scoring Montevideo as the second most open district nationally at 17.50 points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Índice de Apertura en línea de Órganos Legislativos Subnacionales |url=https://uruguayatp.org/index.php/posts/53-indice-de-apertura-en-linea-de-organos-legislativos-subnacionales |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814135003/https://uruguayatp.org/index.php/posts/53-indice-de-apertura-en-linea-de-organos-legislativos-subnacionales |archive-date=14 August 2018 |access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>

===Intendants of Montevideo===
{{main|Intendant of Montevideo}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
# Daniel Muñoz (1909–1911)
# Ramón V. Benzano (1911–1914)
# Juan M. Aubriot (1914–1914)
# Santiago Rivas (1914–1915)
# Francisco Accinelli (1915–1919)
# Alberto Dagnino (1933–1937)
# Luis Alberto Zanzi (1937–1938)
# Horacio Acosta y Lara (1938–1942)
# Benigno Paiva (1942–1942)
# Pedro Onetti (1942–1943)
# Juan Pedro Fabini (1943–1947)
# [[Andrés Martínez Trueba]] (1947–1948)
# Álvaro Correa Moreno (1950–1951)
# Germán Barbato (1951–1954)
# Armando Malet (1954–1955)
# Board members of the Concejo Departamental (1955–1967)
# Glauco Segovia (1967–1967)
# Carlos Bartolomé Herrera (1967–1969)
# Oscar Víctor Rachetti (1969–1971)
# E. Mario Peyrot (1971–1972)
# Oscar Víctor Rachetti (1972–1983)
# Juan Carlos Payssé (1983–1985)
# Aquiles R. Lanza (1985–1985)
# Julio Iglesias Álvarez (1985–1986)
# Eduardo Fabini Jiménez (1989–1990)
# [[Tabaré Vázquez]] (1990–1994)
# Tabaré González (1994–1995)
# Mariano Arana (1995–2000 / 2000–2005)
# Adolfo Pérez Piera (2005)
# [[Ricardo Ehrlich]] (2005–2010)
# Hyara Rodríguez (2010)
# [[Ana Olivera]] (2010–2015)
# [[Daniel Martínez (politician)|Daniel Martínez]] (2015–2019)
# [[Christian di Candia]] (2019–2020)
# [[Carolina Cosse]] (2020-2024)
# [[Mauricio Zunino]], (2024-Incumbent)
{{div col end}}

==Culture==
[[File:Teatro Solís, interior 04.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Solís Theatre|Solis Theatre]] in Montevideo]]
In recent years Montevideo nightlife has moved to Parque Rodó, where a large concentration of buildings cater for the recreational interests of young people during the night time. Under a presidential decree which went into effect on 1 March 2006, [[smoking in Uruguay|smoking is prohibited]] in any public place with roofing,<ref>{{Cite act|type=Presidential Decree|index=|date=5 September 2005|article=|legislature=|title=PROHIBICIÓN DE FUMAR EN OFICINAS PÚBLICAS. DEC. Nº 268/005|trans-title=PROHIBITION OF SMOKING IN PUBLIC OFFICES.|url=http://archivo.presidencia.gub.uy/_web/decretos/2005/09/ASUNTO%20142_23%2008%202005_00001.PDF|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://archivo.presidencia.gub.uy/_web/decretos/2005/09/ASUNTO%20142_23%2008%202005_00001.PDF|archive-date=2022-10-09|url-status=live|language=Spanish}} {{Cite web |url=http://archivo.presidencia.gub.uy/_web/decretos/2005/09/ASUNTO%20142_23%2008%202005_00001.PDF |title=Archived copy |access-date=14 December 2020 |archive-date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329144353/http://archivo.presidencia.gub.uy/_web/decretos/2005/09/ASUNTO%20142_23%2008%202005_00001.PDF |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> and there is a prohibition on the sale of alcohol in certain businesses from 21.00 to 9.00.{{Failed verification|date=December 2020|reason=Not mentioned within the presidential decree prohibiting smoking though this may exist elsewhere. Exact times mentioned differ between this page and the page on Spanish Wikipedia.}}

Montevideo has been part of the [[Creative Cities Network|UNESCO Creative Cities Network]] in the area of Literature since December 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montevideo {{!}} Creative Cities Network |url=https://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/montevideo |access-date=3 October 2018 |website=en.unesco.org |language=en |archive-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511152531/https://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/montevideo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Montevideo – Edinburgh City of Literature |language=en-GB |work=Edinburgh City of Literature |url=http://www.cityofliterature.com/cities-of-literature/cities-of-literature/montevideo/ |url-status=dead |access-date=3 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003235355/http://www.cityofliterature.com/cities-of-literature/cities-of-literature/montevideo/ |archive-date=3 October 2018}}</ref>

=== The arts ===
Montevideo has a very rich architectural heritage and a number of writers, artists, and musicians. Uruguayan tango is a unique form of dance that originated in the neighborhoods of Montevideo towards the end of the 1800s. [[Tango music|Tango]], [[candombe]] and [[murga]] are the three main styles of music in this city. The city is also the center of the [[cinema of Uruguay]], which includes commercial, documentary and experimental films. There are two movie theater companies running seven cinemas,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Movie Center |url=http://www.moviecenter.com.uy/home/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923143752/http://www.moviecenter.com.uy/home/ |archive-date=23 September 2011 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Movie Center}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MVD CMS 5.1.2 |url=http://www.grupocine.com.uy/ |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Grupocine |archive-date=24 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924232719/http://www.grupocine.com.uy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> around ten independent ones<ref>{{Cite web |title=cines de montevideo cine uruguayo peliculas uruguayas |url=http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/montevideo_cines.htm |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Reservas.net |archive-date=17 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917203609/http://www.reservas.net/alojamiento_hoteles/montevideo_cines.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and four art film cinemas in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cinemateca Uruguaya |url=http://www.cinemateca.org.uy/ |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Cinemateca.org.uy |archive-date=25 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925142455/http://www.cinemateca.org.uy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The theater of Uruguay is admired inside and outside Uruguayan borders. The [[Solís Theatre]] is the most prominent theater in Uruguay and the oldest in South America.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Salgado, Susana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lXag39roRosC&q=Solis+Theatre+oldest&pg=PA496 |title=The Teatro Solís: 150 years of opera, concert, and ballet in Montevideo |publisher=[[Wesleyan University Press]] |year=2003 |isbn=0-8195-6594-6 |access-date=22 October 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141548/https://books.google.com/books?id=lXag39roRosC&q=Solis+Theatre+oldest&pg=PA496#v=onepage&q=Solis%20Theatre%20oldest&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> There are several notable theatrical companies and thousands of professional actors and amateurs. Montevideo playwrights produce dozens of works each year; of major note are [[Mauricio Rosencof]], {{interlanguage link|Ana Magnabosco|es}} and {{interlanguage link|Ricardo Prieto|es}}.

==== Visual arts ====
[[File:Montevideo painters.jpg|thumb|right|Painter shop in Montevideo]]
The daily newspaper ''El País'' sponsors the Virtual Museum of Contemporary Uruguayan Art. The director and curator of the Museum presents exhibitions in "virtual spaces, supplemented by information, biographies, texts in English and Spanish".<ref name="Arts">{{Cite web |title=Uruguay /Museums, Exhibition Centres |url=http://universes-in-universe.de/america/ury/mus/e-montevideo.htm |access-date=17 November 2010 |publisher=Universes in Universe |archive-date=24 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824073924/http://www.universes-in-universe.de/america/ury/mus/e-montevideo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the early 1970s (1973, to be particular) when the military junta took over power in Uruguay, art suffered in Montevideo. The art studios went into protest mode, with [[Rimer Cardillo]], one of the country's leading artists, making the National Institute of Fine Arts, Montevideo a "hotbed of resistance". This resulted in the military junta coming down heavily on artists by closing the Fine Art Institute and carting away all the presses and other studio equipment. Consequently, the learning of fine arts was only in private studios run by people who had been let out of jail, in works of printing and on paper and also painting and sculpture. It resumed much later.<ref name="Dorsky">{{Cite book |last=Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bOno-rgMuP8C&pg=PA11 |title=Rimer Cardillo: Impressions (and Other Images of Memory) 16 October – 12 December 2004 |publisher=SUNY Press |year=2004 |isbn=1-4384-3110-4 |pages=11–13 |access-date=17 November 2010 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141552/https://books.google.com/books?id=bOno-rgMuP8C&pg=PA11#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Literature ====
The first public library in Montevideo was formed by the initial donation of the private library of Father José Manuel Pérez Castellano, who died in 1815. Its promoter, director and organizer was Father [[Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga]], who also made a considerable donation along with donations from José Raimundo Guerra, as well as others from the Convent of San Francisco in [[Salta]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=mec-historia |url=http://www.bibna.gub.uy/historia.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428032254/http://www.bibna.gub.uy/historia.html |archive-date=28 April 2011 |access-date=12 December 2010 |publisher=Ministerio de Ecucacion y Cultura |language=es}}</ref> In 1816 its stock was 5,000 volumes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Appel |first=John Wilton |date=1994 |title=Francisco José de Caldas: A Scientist at Work in Nueva Granada |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1006650 |journal=Transactions of the American Philosophical Society |volume=84 |issue=5 |pages=1–154 |doi=10.2307/1006650 |jstor=1006650 |issn=0065-9746 |access-date=7 October 2022 |archive-date=7 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007161955/https://www.jstor.org/stable/1006650 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> The building of the [[National Library of Uruguay]] (''Biblioteca Pública de Uruguay'') was designed by Luis Crespi in the [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] style and occupies an area of {{convert|4000|sqm|sqft|sp=us}}. Construction began in 1926 and it was inaugurated in 1964. Its collection amounts to 900,000 volumes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biblioteca Nacional de Uruguay |url=http://www.bibna.gub.uy/situacion_actual.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124140816/http://www.bibna.gub.uy/situacion_actual.html |archive-date=24 November 2009 |access-date=15 November 2010 |publisher=bibna.gub.uy |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=26 de mayo de 1816: fundación de la primera Biblioteca Pública |url=http://www.uruguayeduca.edu.uy/Portal.Base/Web/VerContenido.aspx?ID=202343 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501102249/http://www.uruguayeduca.edu.uy/Portal.Base/Web/VerContenido.aspx?ID=202343 |archive-date=1 May 2011 |access-date=12 December 2010 |publisher=Uruguay Educa |language=es}}</ref>

==== Authors ====
[[File:Delmira Agustini.jpg|right|upright|thumb| The poet [[Delmira Agustini]].]]
The city has a long and rich literary tradition. Although [[Uruguayan literature]] is not limited to the authors of the capital ([[Horacio Quiroga]] was born in [[Salto, Uruguay|Salto]] and [[Mario Benedetti]] in [[Paso de los Toros]], for instance), Montevideo has been and is the center of the editorial and creative activity of literature.

In 1900, the city had a remarkable group of writers, including [[José Enrique Rodó]], [[Carlos Vaz Ferreira]], [[Julio Herrera y Reissig]], [[Delmira Agustini]] and [[Felisberto Hernández]]. Montevideo was then called the "Atenas del Plata" or the "[[Athens]] of the Rio de la Plata".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Javier Meneses Silva |title=Movimiento cultural |url=http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302094006/http://www.tacuy.com.uy/Servicios/Montevideo/index.htm |archive-date=2 March 2009 |access-date=16 November 2010 |publisher=Tacuy.com.uy |language=es}}</ref>
[[File:Eduardo Galeano - conferenza Vicenza 2.jpg|left|upright=0.75|thumb|The writer [[Eduardo Galeano]].]]
Among the outstanding authors of Montevideo of the second half of the 20th century are [[Juan Carlos Onetti]], [[Antonio Larreta]], [[Eduardo Galeano]], [[Marosa di Giorgio]] and [[Cristina Peri Rossi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=El poder de la palabra |url=http://www.epdlp.com/paise.php?pais=Uruguay |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025162441/http://www.epdlp.com/paise.php?pais=Uruguay |archive-date=25 October 2010 |access-date=16 November 2010 |publisher=epdlp.com |language=es}}</ref>

A new generation of writers has become known internationally in recent years. These include Eduardo Espina (essayist and poet), [[Fernando Butazzoni]] (novelist), {{interlanguage link|Rafael Courtoisie|es}} (poet) and [[Hugo Burel]] (short story writer and novelist).

==== Music ====
In Montevideo, as throughout the Rio de Plata region, the most popular forms of music are [[tango music|tango]], [[Milonga (music)|milonga]] and ''[[vals criollo]]''. Many notable songs originated in Montevideo including "El Tango supremo", "La Cumparsita", "La Milonga", "La Puñalada" and "[[Desde el Alma]]", composed by notable Montevideo musicians such as [[Gerardo Matos Rodríguez]], [[Pintín Castellanos]] and [[Rosita Melo]].<ref name="SC1">{{Cite web |title=Montevideo, Uruguay |url=http://www.spanishcourses.info/cities/montevideo-uruguay-41-EN.htm |access-date=18 November 2010 |publisher=Spanish courses |archive-date=28 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128172814/http://spanishcourses.info/cities/montevideo-uruguay-41-EN.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Tango is deeply ingrained in the cultural life of the city and is the theme for many of the bars and restaurants in the city. 20th. century composers like three-time [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]] nominated [[Miguel del Águila|Miguel del Aguila]] have taken Uruguayan tango to international classical music audiences. ''Fun Fun' Bar'', established in 1935, is one of the most important places for tango in Uruguay as is ''El Farolito'', located in the old part of the city and ''Joventango'', ''Café Las Musas'', ''Garufa'' and ''Vieja Viola''.<ref name="SC1" /> The city is also home to the Montevideo Jazz Festival and has the Bancaria Jazz Club bar catering for jazz enthusiasts.

===Cuisine===

{{main|Cuisine of Montevideo}}{{Multiple image
| width             = 220
| image1            = Pizza Muzzarella Uruguay.jpg
| caption1          = "A la piedra" mozzarella pizza
| direction         = vertical
| image2            = Chivito al pan uruguayo.jpg
| caption2          = [[Chivito]], Uruguay's national dish
}}

The cuisine of Montevideo largely reflects that of the rest of the country, which is shaped by the strong influence of [[Italian cuisine|Italian]] and [[Spanish cuisine|Spanish]] immigration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malini |first=Silvano |date=2021-04-30 |title=Argentina y Uruguay: la cocina fusión de la inmigración italiana - italiani.it |url=https://es.italiani.it/Argentina-y-Uruguay-la-cocina-fusi%C3%B3n-de-la-inmigraci%C3%B3n-italiana/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209125723/https://es.italiani.it/Argentina-y-Uruguay-la-cocina-fusi%C3%B3n-de-la-inmigraci%C3%B3n-italiana/ |archive-date=9 December 2024 |access-date=2025-07-21 |work=italiani.it |language=it-IT |url-status=live }}</ref> This heritage is evident in the widespread consumption of pasta, pizza, bread, and baked goods, as well as in the prominent role of grilled meats, particularly [[asado]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palacios |first=Víctor |date=2024-10-27 |title=Los orígenes del asado uruguayo |url=https://grupormultimedio.com/los-origenes-del-asado-uruguayo-id137795/ |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=Diario La R |language=es}}</ref> Cafés and bars are central to daily life, serving as both dining venues and social spaces rooted in the city’s local tradition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gelderen |first=Ana van |date=2022-07-15 |title=Montevideo. Bares y cantinas de primer nivel: los nuevos y los siempre vigentes |url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/revista-lugares/montevideo-bares-y-cantinas-de-primer-nivel-los-nuevos-y-los-siempre-vigentes-nid15072022/ |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=LA NACION |language=es}}</ref>

A ''[[torta frita]]'' is a widely consumed circular pan-fried cake, typically made from wheat flour, yeast, water, and sugar or salt, with a small cut in the center to aid cooking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Torta Frita Cuando Llueve |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/costumbres/torta-frita-cuando-llueve |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044739/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/costumbres/torta-frita-cuando-llueve |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=21 November 2010 |publisher=Montevideo.gub.uy}}</ref> Since it is traditional to eat Italian [[gnocchi]] on the 29th of each month in Uruguay, this dish is specially served on that day in most of the city’s restaurants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazzo |first=Rino |date=2021-05-08 |title=Carne sí, ma sempre con pasta, milanesa, fainá, tallarines con tuco e il 29 di ogni mese, gnocchi |url=https://www.genteditalia.org/2021/05/08/carne-si-ma-sempre-con-pasta-milanesa-faina-tallarines-con-tuco-e-il-29-di-ogni-mese-gnocchi/ |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=Gente d'Italia |language=it-IT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-27 |title=¿Por qué se comen ñoquis el 29 de cada mes? Las dos versiones sobre el origen de la tradición |url=https://www.elpais.com.uy/vida-actual/por-que-se-comen-noquis-el-29-de-cada-mes-las-dos-versiones-sobre-el-origen-de-la-tradicion |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=EL PAIS |language=es-UY}}</ref> Additionally, the ''[[Chivito (sandwich)|chivito]]''—a sandwich made with sliced [[beefsteak]]—is widely popular.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-21 |title=A culinary guide to Montevideo, Uruguay |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/culinary-guide-montevideo-uruguay |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=Travel |language=en}}</ref> Equally popular is the ''“a la piedra”'' style [[pizza]], baked in a wood-fired oven and served in rectangular slices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pizza y fainá: vinieron de Italia y se hicieron uruguayas |url=https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/pizza-y-faina-vinieron-de-italia-y-se-hicieron-uruguayas-2012810000 |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=El Observador |language=es-UY}}</ref> The city is home to a large number of traditional pizzerias and classic neighborhood bars.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-12-16 |title=En el Centro, El Gaucho; un servicio destacado y la mejor pizza de Montevideo |url=https://www.elpais.com.uy/sabado-show/en-el-centro-el-gaucho-un-servicio-destacado-y-la-mejor-pizza-de-montevideo |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=EL PAIS |language=en}}</ref>

The city has also several historic markets that today serve as gastronomic and cultural hubs, including the [[Mercado del Puerto]], the [[Mercado de la Abundancia]], and the [[Mercado Agrícola de Montevideo|Mercado Agrícola]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.areaw3.com |first=AreaW3- |title=Ruta de mercados gastronómicos en Montevideo - Noticias |url=https://www.uruguayxxi.gub.uy/es/noticias/articulo/ruta-de-mercados-gastronomicos-en-montevideo/ |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=XXI |language=es}}</ref> While originally conceived as traditional marketplaces, these structures now operate primarily as [[Food hall|food halls]], offering both Uruguayan and international cuisines.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-16 |title=El Mercado del Puerto de Montevideo, edificio patrimonial, celebra 150 años |url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20181216/453585501895/el-mercado-del-puerto-de-montevideo-edificio-patrimonial-celebra-150-anos.html |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=La Vanguardia |language=es}}</ref>

=== Notable people ===
{{Further|:Category:People from Montevideo}}
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Fede Álvarez]] (Film director)
* [[Delmira Agustini]] (writer)
* [[Miguel del Aguila]] (composer)
* [[Julio Albino]] (footballer)
* [[Marcelina Almeida]] (writer)
* [[Victoria Alonsoperez]] (engineer)
* [[Odile Baron Supervielle]] (writer, journalist)
* [[Luis Batlle Berres]] (president of Uruguay)
* [[José Batlle y Ordóñez]] (president of Uruguay)
* [[Mario Benedetti]] (writer)
* [[Roy Berocay]] (journalist and author)
* [[Juan Manuel Blanes]] (artist)
* [[Baltasar Brum]] (Uruguayan statesman)
* [[Raúl Javiel Cabrera]] (painter)
* [[Graciela Cánepa]] (actress and television presenter)
* [[Rodrigo Casagrande]] (former footballer)
* [[Manuel Ceferino Oribe]] (Uruguayan politician)
* [[Gonzalo Curbelo]] (footballer)
* [[Eladio Dieste]] (civil engineer)
* [[Jorge Drexler]] (musician and actor)
* [[Esteban Echeverría]] (Argentine writer)
* [[Claudio Elías]] (footballer)
* [[Marcel Felder]] (tennis player)
* [[Julio Ferrón]] (footballer)
* [[Diego Forlán]] (footballer)
* [[Enzo Francescoli]] (footballer)
* [[Giuliana Luz Grabina]] (philosopher)
* [[José Gervasio Artigas]] (Uruguayan revolutionary)
* [[Andrea Ghidone]] (Vedette, model, dancer, actress)
* [[Felisberto Hernández]] (writer)
* [[Julio Herrera y Reissig]] (poet)
* [[Juana de Ibarbourou]] (poet)
* [[Pedro Ipuche Riva]] (classical composer)
* [[Jules Laforgue]] (French poet)
* [[Rolando Laguarda Trías]] (historian)
* [[Felipe Laurino]] (footballer)
* [[Lautréamont]], Comte de. Isidore Ducasse (French poet)
* [[Rosita Melo]] (composer, poet, writer)
* [[Martin Mendez]] (bass player for Swedish metal outfit Opeth)
* [[Ricardo Moller]] (footballer)
* [[Paolo Montero]] (footballer)
* [[Amado Nervo]] (Mexican author)
* [[Juan Carlos Onetti]] (writer)
* [[Natalia Oreiro]] (actress, singer)
* [[Álvaro Recoba]] (footballer)
* [[Nando Parrado]] (writer)
* [[Maxi Pereira]] (footballer)
* [[Cristina Peri Rossi]] (writer)
* [[Pedro Piedrabuena]] (billiard player)
* [[Olga Piria]] (painter and goldsmith)
* [[Jorge Plachot]] (former footballer)
* [[Arturo C. Porzecanski]] (Wall Street economist)
* [[Teresa Porzecanski]] (anthropologist and writer)
* [[Rubén Rada]] (Musician)
* [[Andy Ram]] (Israeli tennis player)
* [[José Enrique Rodó]] (philosopher)
* [[Rubén Rodríguez (footballer)|Rubén Rodríguez]] (footballer)
* [[Mariano Rubbo]] (Uruguayan footballer)
* [[Gabe Saporta]] (musician and entrepreneur)
* [[Carlos Savio]] (footballer)
* [[Erwin Schrott]] (operatic bass-baritone)
* [[José Serebrier]] (conductor and composer)
* [[Jules Supervielle]] (French author)
* [[Joaquín Torres-García]] (painter)
* [[Obdulio Varela]] (footballer)
* [[Tabaré Vázquez]] (president of Uruguay)
* [[Santiago Vecino]] (illustrator and artist)
* [[Helen Velando]] (author)
* [[Margarita Xirgu]] (Spanish actress)
* [[China Zorrilla]] (actress)
* [[José Luis Zorrilla de San Martín]] (sculptor)
* [[Juan Zorrilla de San Martín]] (poet)
* [[Elena Zuasti]] (stage actress)
{{div col end}}

=== Recreation ===
==== Museums ====
{{main|List of museums in Montevideo}}
[[File:Cabildo de Montevideo.jpg|thumb|left|Fountain in the entry of the Cabildo]]

The Centro Cultural de España, as well as [[Asturias|Asturian]] and cultural centers, testify to Montevideo's considerable Spanish heritage. Montevideo also has important museums including [[Museo Torres García]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museo Torres García |url=http://www.torresgarcia.org.uy/ |access-date=16 November 2010 |publisher=torresgarcia.org.uy |language=es |archive-date=19 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619040517/http://www.torresgarcia.org.uy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{interlanguage link|Museo José Gurvich|es|Museo Gurvich}}, [[Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales]] and [[Juan Manuel Blanes Museum|Museo Juan Manuel Blanes]] etc.

The [[Montevideo Cabildo]] was the [[seat of government]] during the colonial times of the [[Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata]]. It is located in front of [[Constitution Square (Montevideo)|Constitution Square]], in Ciudad Vieja.<ref name=travel/> Built between 1804 and 1869 in Neoclassical style, with a series of [[Doric columns|Doric]] and [[Ionic columns|Ionic]] columns, it became a National Heritage Site in 1975. In 1958, the Municipal Historic Museum and Archive was inaugurated here. It features three permanent [[city museum]] exhibitions, as well as temporary art exhibitions, cultural events, seminars, symposiums and forums.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2011 |title=Museo y Archivo Histórico Municipal – Cabildo &#124; Intendencia de Montevideo |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/museos-y-salas/museo-y-archivo-historico-municipal-cabildo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014115245/http://montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/museos-y-salas/museo-y-archivo-historico-municipal-cabildo |archive-date=14 October 2011 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Montevideo.gub.uy}}</ref>

[[File:Palacio Taranco meeting.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Uruguayan officials conversing at a meeting at the Palacio Taranco, 6 November 2010]]
The [[Palacio Taranco]] is located in front of the [[Plaza Zabala]], in the heart of Ciudad Vieja. It was erected in the early 20th century as the residence of the Ortiz Taranco brothers on the ruins of Montevideo's first theater (of 1793), during a period in which the architectural style was influenced by French architecture. The palace was designed by French architects [[Charles Louis Girault]] and {{interlanguage link|Jules-Léon Chifflot|fr}} who also designed the [[Petit Palais]] and the [[Arc de Triomphe]] in Paris. It passed to the city from the heirs of the Tarancos in 1943, along with its precious collection of Uruguayan furniture and draperies and was deemed by the city as an ideal place for a museum; in 1972 it became the Museum of Decorative Arts of Montevideo and in 1975 it became a National Heritage Site.<ref name="Frommers">{{Cite book |last1=Shawn Blore |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kmW-7wfC1TMC&q=montevideo+hotel&pg=PA688 |title=Frommer's South America |last2=Alexandra de Vries |last3=Eliot Greenspan |last4=Haas Mroue |last5=Michael Luongo |last6=Charlie O'Malley |last7=Kristina Schreck |last8=Neil E. Schlecht |publisher=[[Frommer's]], [[John Wiley and Sons]] |year=2003 |isbn=0-471-77897-4 |edition=3 |pages=686–92 |access-date=22 October 2020 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141506/https://books.google.com/books?id=kmW-7wfC1TMC&q=montevideo+hotel&pg=PA688 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2008 |title=Uruguay Cultural » Museo de Artes Decorativas Palacio Taranco |url=http://www.portaluruguaycultural.gub.uy/2009/08/museo-de-artes-decorativas-palacio-taranco-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907034325/http://www.portaluruguaycultural.gub.uy/2009/08/museo-de-artes-decorativas-palacio-taranco-2/ |archive-date=7 September 2009 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Portaluruguaycultural.gub.uy}}</ref> The Decorative Arts Museum has an important collection of European paintings and decorative arts, ancient [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] and [[Roman art]] and Islamic [[ceramic art|ceramics]] of the 10th–18th century from the area of present-day Iran.<ref name=Arts/> The palace is often used as a meeting place by the Uruguayan government.

[[File:MuseoHistoricoNacionalMontevideo.jpg|thumb|left|Museo Historico Nacional de Montevideo]]
The National History Museum of Montevideo is located in the historical residence of General [[Fructuoso Rivera]]. It exhibits artifacts related to the history of Uruguay.<ref name=travel/> In a process begun in 1998, the National Museum of Natural History (1837) and the National Museum of Anthropology (1981), merged in 2001, becoming the National Museum of Natural History and Anthropology. In July 2009, the two institutions again became independent.<ref name="MuseosNacionales">{{Cite web |title=Museos Nacionales de Historia Natural y Antropología |url=http://www.mec.gub.uy/munhina/mnhna.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103073715/http://www.mec.gub.uy//munhina//mnhna.htm |archive-date=3 November 2010 |access-date=18 November 2010 |website=mec.gub.uy}}</ref> The Historical Museum has annexed eight historical houses in the city, five of which are located in the Ciudad Vieja. One of them, on the same block with the main building, is the historic residence of Antonio Montero, which houses the Museo Romantico.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bienvenidos al Museo Histórico Nacional – Ministerio de Educación y Cultura – Uruguay |url=http://www.mhn.gub.uy/ |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Mhn.gub.uy |archive-date=20 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920202341/http://www.mhn.gub.uy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Also nearby is the Museo Casa de José Garibaldi where [[Giuseppe Garibaldi]] lived in the 1840s while participating in the [[Uruguayan Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Casa de José Garibaldi |url=https://app.mec.gub.uy/innovaportal/v/1178/8/mec/casa-de-jose-garibaldi |access-date=25 January 2022 |publisher=Mhn.gub.uy |archive-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126041345/https://app.mec.gub.uy/innovaportal/v/1178/8/mec/casa-de-jose-garibaldi |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Museo Torres Garcia.jpg|thumb|284x284px|Museo Torres García]]
The [[Museo Torres García]] is located in the Old Town, and exhibits [[Joaquín Torres García]]'s unusual portraits of historical icons and [[cubism|cubist]] paintings akin to those of [[Pablo Picasso|Picasso]] and [[Georges Braque|Braque]].<ref name="about">{{Cite web |title=Montevideo, Uruguay |url=http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/urumontevideo/a/Montevideo.htm |access-date=16 November 2010 |publisher=About.com:Gosouthamerica |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226080645/https://www.tripsavvy.com/montevideo-visitors-guide-1637548 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The museum was established by Manolita Piña Torres, the widow of Torres Garcia, after his death in 1949. She also set up the García Torres Foundation, a private non-profit organization that organizes the paintings, drawings, original writings, archives, objects and furniture designed by the painter as well as the photographs, magazines and publications related to him.<ref name="Torres Garcia">{{Cite web |title=El Museo Torres García |url=http://www.torresgarcia.org.uy/uc_118_1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006154451/http://www.torresgarcia.org.uy/uc_118_1.html |archive-date=6 October 2010 |access-date=17 November 2010 |publisher=Museo Torres García |language=es}}</ref>

[[File:Museo Naval Montevideo.JPG|thumb|left|[[Museo Naval de Montevideo]]]]
There are several other important art museums in Montevideo. The [[Centro de Fotografía de Montevideo]] (CdF) is a museum, archive, and gallery for historic and contemporary photography with twelve outdoor exhibition spaces in various Montevideo neighborhoods as well as four galleries in its downtown headquarters. The [[National Museum of Visual Arts (Uruguay)|National Museum of Visual Arts]] in Parque Rodó has Uruguay's largest collection of paintings.<ref name=Sights/><ref name=Arts/> The [[Juan Manuel Blanes Museum]] was founded in 1930, the 100th anniversary of the first [[Constitution of Uruguay]], significant with regard to the fact that [[Juan Manuel Blanes]] painted Uruguayan patriotic themes. In the back of the museum is a Japanese Garden with a pond where there are over a hundred [[carp]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/museos-y-salas/museo-blanes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044450/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/museos-y-salas/museo-blanes|url-status=dead|title=Juan Manuel Blanes Municipal Museum of Arts|archivedate=26 April 2011}}</ref> The Museo de Historia del Arte, located in the Palacio Municipal, features replicas of ancient monuments and exhibits a varied collection of artifacts from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, Rome and Native American cultures including local finds of the pre-Columbian period.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 December 2009 |title=Museo de Historia del Arte (MuHAr) &#124; Intendencia de Montevideo |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/museos-y-salas/museo-de-historia-del-arte-muhar |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014081206/http://montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/museos-y-salas/museo-de-historia-del-arte-muhar |archive-date=14 October 2011 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Montevideo.gub.uy}}</ref> The Museo Municipal Precolombino y Colonial, in the Ciudad Vieja, has preserved collections of the archeological finds from excavations carried out by Uruguayan archeologist Antonio Taddei. These antiquaries are exhibits of pre-Columbian art of Latin America, painting and sculpture from the 17th and 18th century mostly from Mexico, [[Peru]] and Brazil.<ref name=Arts/> The Museo de Arte Contempo has small exhibits of modern Uruguayan painting and sculpture.<ref name=Sights/>

There are also other types of museums in the city. The Museo del Gaucho y de la Moneda, located in the Centro, has distinctive displays of the historical culture of Uruguay's [[gaucho]]s, their horse gear, silver work and ''[[yerba mate|mate]]'' (tea), gourds, and ''bombillas'' (drinking straws) in odd designs.<ref name=Sights/> The Museo Naval, is located on the eastern waterfront in Buceo and offers exhibits depicting the maritime history of Uruguay.<ref name=Sights/> The Museo del Automóvil, belonging to the Automobile Club of Uruguay, has a rich collection of vintage cars which includes a 1910 [[Hupmobile]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.acu.com.uy/museo/ |access-date=12 March 2013 |publisher=Acu.com.uy |archive-date=13 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413000317/http://www.acu.com.uy/museo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Museo y Parque Fernando García in Carrasco, a transport and automobile museum, includes old horse carriages and some early automobiles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 April 2010 |title=Museo y Parque Fernando García &#124; Intendencia de Montevideo |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/museos-y-salas/museo-y-parque-fernando-garcia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014022322/http://montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/cultura/museos-y-salas/museo-y-parque-fernando-garcia |archive-date=14 October 2011 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Montevideo.gub.uy}}</ref> The Castillo Pittamiglio, with an unusual façade, highlights the eccentric legacy of Humberto Pittamiglio, local alchemist and architect.<ref name=Sights/>

==== Festivals ====
[[File:Las Llamadas - Carnaval 2011 - 110203-0690-jikatu.jpg|left|thumb|228x228px|Carnival drummers.]]
[[File:La Gozadera Montevideo Llamadas Carnaval 2012 17.jpg|thumb|232x232px|Carnival dancer and drummers.]]
{{see also|Uruguayan Carnival}}
As the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo is home to a number of festivals and carnivals including a Gaucho festival when people ride through the streets on horseback in traditional gaucho gear. The major annual festival is the annual [[Uruguayan Carnival|Montevideo Carnival]] which is part of the national festival of Carnival Week, celebrated throughout Uruguay, with central activities in the capital, Montevideo. Officially, the public holiday lasts for two days on Carnival Monday and [[Shrove Tuesday]] preceding [[Ash Wednesday]], but due to the prominence of the festival, most shops and businesses close for the entire week.<ref name="Carnaval">{{Cite web |title=Montevideo Carnaval |url=http://www.carnaval.com/uruguay/ |access-date=19 November 2010 |publisher=Carnaval.com |archive-date=9 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409180257/http://www.carnaval.com/uruguay/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
During carnival there are many open-air stage performances and competitions and the streets and houses are vibrantly decorated. "Tablados" or popular scenes, both fixed and movable, are erected in the whole city.<ref name="Carnaval" /> Notable displays include "Desfile de las Llamadas" ("Parade of the Calls"), which is a grand united parade held on the south part of downtown, where it used to be a common ritual back in the early 20th century.<ref name="Carnaval" /> Due to the scale of the festival, preparation begins as early as December with an election of the "zonal beauty queens" to appear in the carnival.<ref name="Carnaval" />

==== Sports ====
[[File:Estadio Centenario (vista aérea).jpg|thumb|262x262px|[[Estadio Centenario]]]]
[[Estadio Centenario]], the national [[association football|football]] stadium in [[Parque Batlle]], was opened in 1930 for the first [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]], as well as to commemorate the centennial of [[Uruguay#Struggle for independence|Uruguay's first constitution]]. In this World Cup, Uruguay won the title game against Argentina by 4 goals to 2.<ref name="Burford">{{Cite book |last=Burford |first=Tim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9eZ9-u6OqKwC&pg=PA36 |title=Uruguay |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-84162-316-0 |pages=35–36 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141506/https://books.google.com/books?id=9eZ9-u6OqKwC&pg=PA36#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> The stadium has 70,000 seats.<ref name="Box" /> It is listed by [[FIFA]] as one of the football world's classic stadiums, along with [[Estádio do Maracanã|Maracanã]], [[Wembley Stadium]], [[San Siro]], [[Estadio Azteca]], and [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/stadiums/stadium=34866/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219224339/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/stadiums/stadium=34866/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 February 2008|title=FIFA.com}}</ref> A museum located within the football stadium has exhibits of memorabilia from Uruguay's 1930 and 1950 World Cup championships. Museum tickets give access to the stadium, stands, locker rooms and playing field.<ref name=Sights/>

Between 1935 and 1938, the athletics track and the municipal [[velodrome]] were completed within Parque Batlle. The Tabaré Athletic Club is occasionally made over as a carnival theater using impermanent materials.<ref name="Remedi">{{Cite book |last=Remedi |first=Gustavo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hr4VCx7x3mMC&pg=PA95 |title=Carnival theatre: Uruguay's popular performers and national culture |publisher=U of Minnesota Press |year=2004 |isbn=0-8166-3455-6 |page=95 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141518/https://books.google.com/books?id=Hr4VCx7x3mMC&pg=PA95 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Finzer, p. 103</ref>
[[File:PSG rugby seven punta.JPG|thumb|left|Rugby in Montevideo]]
Today the vast majority of teams in the [[Uruguayan Primera División|Primera División]] and [[Uruguayan Segunda División|Segunda División]] come from Montevideo, including [[Club Nacional de Football|Nacional]], [[Club Atlético Peñarol|Peñarol]], [[Central Español]], [[Club Sportivo Cerrito|Cerrito]], [[Club Atlético Cerro|Cerro]], [[Danubio Fútbol Club|Danubio]], [[Defensor Sporting Club|Defensor Sporting]], [[Centro Atlético Fénix|Atlético Fénix]], [[Liverpool Fútbol Club|Liverpool]], [[Montevideo Wanderers F.C.|Wanderers]], [[Racing Club de Montevideo|Racing]], [[Club Atlético River Plate (Uruguay)|River Plate]], [[Club Atlético Torque]], [[Boston River]] and [[Rampla Juniors Fútbol Club|Rampla Juniors]].

Besides Estadio Centenario, other stadiums include [[Estadio Gran Parque Central|Gran Parque Central]], [[Estadio Campeón del Siglo]], [[Estadio Belvedere|Belvedere]], [[Estadio Complejo Rentistas|Complejo Rentistas]], [[Estadio Jardines del Hipódromo|Jardines del Hipódromo]], [[Estadio José Pedro Damiani|José Pedro Damiani]], [[Estadio La Bombonera (Montevideo)|"La Bombonera"]], [[Estadio Luis Franzini|Luis Franzini]], [[Estadio Luis Tróccoli|Luis Tróccoli]] and the park stadiums of [[Estadio Parque Abraham Paladino|Abraham Paladino]], [[Estadio Parque Alfredo Víctor Viera|Alfredo Víctor Viera]], [[Estadio Parque Federico Omar Saroldi|Omar Saroldi]], [[Estadio Parque José Nasazzi|José Nasazzi]], [[Estadio Parque Osvaldo Roberto|Osvaldo Roberto]], [[Estadio Parque Maracaná|Maracaná]] and [[Estadio Parque Palermo|Palermo]].

The city has a tradition as host of major international basketball tournaments including the official [[1967 FIBA World Cup]] and the [[1988 Tournament of the Americas|1988]] [[1997 Tournament of the Americas|1997]] and 2017 editions of the official [[Americas Basketball Championship]].

The [[Uruguayan Basketball League]] is headquartered in Montevideo and most of its teams are from the city, including [[Defensor Sporting Club|Defensor Sporting]], [[Club Biguá|Biguá]], [[Club Atlético Aguada|Atlético Aguada]], [[Club Atlético Goes|Goes]], [[Club Malvín|Malvín]], {{interlanguage link|Unión Atlética|es|Club Unión Atlética}}, and [[Club Trouville|Trouville]]. Montevideo is also a center of [[rugby football|rugby]]; [[equestrianism]], which regained importance in Montevideo after the [[Maroñas Racecourse]] reopened; golf, with the Club de Punta Carretas; and yachting, with the [[Puerto del Buceo]], an ideal place to moor yachts. The Golf Club of Punta Carretas was founded in 1894 covers all the area encircled by the west side of Bulevar Artigas, the Rambla (Montevideo's promenade) and the Parque Rodó (Fun Fair).<ref name="HCV" />

=== Religion ===
The religion with most followers in Montevideo is Roman Catholicism and has been so since the foundation of the city. The [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montevideo]] was created as the [[Apostolic vicariate|Apostolic Vicariate]] of Montevideo in 1830. The vicariate was promoted to the Diocese of Montevideo on 13 July 1878.<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Archdiocese of Montevideo}}</ref> [[Pope Leo XIII]] elevated it to the rank of a [[Metropolitan bishop|metropolitan archdiocese]] on 14 April 1897. The new archdiocese became the [[Metropolitan bishop|Metropolitan]] of the [[Suffragan bishop|suffragan sees]] of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Canelones|Canelones]], [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Florida|Florida]], [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Maldonado–Punta del Este|Maldonado–Punta del Este]], [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Melo|Melo]], [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Mercedes|Mercedes]], [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Minas|Minas]], [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Salto|Salto]], [[Roman Catholic Diocese of San José de Mayo|San José de Mayo]], [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Tacuarembó|Tacuarembó]].

Montevideo is the only archdiocese in Uruguay and, as its [[Ordinary (officer)|Ordinary]], the archbishop is also [[Primate (bishop)|Primate]] of the [[Roman Catholicism in Uruguay|Catholic Church in Uruguay]]. The archdiocese's [[Mother Church|mother church]] and thus seat of its archbishop is [[Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción y San Felipe y Santiago]]. Church and state are officially separated since 1916 in Uruguay. {{As of|2010}}, the Archbishop of Montevideo is [[Daniel Fernando Sturla Berhouet]], [[Salesians of Don Bosco|SDB]], since his appointment on 11 February 2014.<ref>{{Catholic-hierarchy|bishop|bstbe|Archbishop Daniel Sturla, SDB|11 February 2014}}</ref>

Other religious faiths in Montevideo are [[Protestantism]], [[Umbanda]], [[Judaism]], and there are many people who define themselves as [[Atheism|Atheists]] and [[Agnosticism|Agnostics]], while others profess "believing in God but without religion".<ref name="enha_rel">{{Cite web |title=Extended National Household Survey, 2006: Religion |url=http://www.ine.gub.uy/enha2006/flash/Flash%206_Religion.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927091848/http://www.ine.gub.uy/enha2006/flash/Flash%206_Religion.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2013 |publisher=National Institute of Statistics |language=es}}</ref>

==== Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral ====

[[File:Catedralmontevideo.jpg|thumb|Cathedral Interior|231x231px]]
{{Main|Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral}}
The Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic church of Montevideo. It is located in Ciudad Vieja, immediately across [[Constitution Square (Montevideo)|Constitution Square]] from the [[Montevideo Cabildo|Cabildo]]. In 1740 a brick church was built on the site. In 1790, the foundation was laid for the current neoclassical structure. The church was consecrated in 1804.<ref name=travel/> Bicentennial celebrations were held in 2004.

In 1897, [[Pope Leo XIII]] elevated the church to Metropolitan Cathedral status. Important ceremonies are conducted under the direction of the Archbishop of Montevideo. Weddings and choral concerts are held here and the parish priest conducts the routine functions of the cathedral. In the 19th century, its precincts were also used as a burial place of famous people who died in the city. For decades, the prison and the nearby [[Punta Carretas|Punta Carretas parish church]] were the only major buildings in the neighborhood.

==== Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón ====
[[File:2016 fachada de la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón de Montevido.jpg|thumb|Punta Carretas Church|279x279px]]
Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón ("Our Lady of the Sacred Heart"), also known as Iglesia Punta Carretas ("Punta Carretas Church"), was built between 1917 and 1927 in the Romanesque Revival style. The church was originally part of the [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin]], but is presently in the parish of the Ecclesiastic Curia. Its location is at the corner of Solano García and José Ellauri. It has a nave and aisles. The roof has many vaults. During the construction of the Punta Carretas Shopping complex, major cracks developed in the structure of the church as a result of differential foundation settlement.<ref name="HCV" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iglesia de Sagrado Corazón by anaines |url=http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/South_America/Uruguay/South/Montevideo/Montevideo/photo741444.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220024623/http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/South_America/Uruguay/South/Montevideo/Montevideo/photo741444.htm |archive-date=20 February 2012 |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=Trekearth}}</ref>

== Economy ==
''[[Economy of Uruguay|Main Article: Economy of Uruguay]]''

As the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo is the economic and political center of the country. Most of the largest and wealthiest businesses in Uruguay have their headquarters in the city. Since the 1990s the city has undergone rapid economic development and modernization, including two of Uruguay's most important buildings—the [[World Trade Center Montevideo]] (1998),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montevideo |url=http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?cityID=1040 |access-date=19 November 2010 |publisher=Skyscraper Page |archive-date=9 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209201134/http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?cityID=1040 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Telecommunications Tower (Montevideo)|Telecommunications Tower]] (2000), the headquarters of Uruguay's government-owned telecommunications company [[ANTEL]], increasing the city's integration into the global marketplace.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Complejo Torre |url=http://www.antel.com.uy/ANTEL/Institucional/complejo-torre/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127051245/http://www.antel.com.uy/ANTEL/Institucional/complejo-torre |archive-date=27 November 2010 |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=ANTEL}}</ref>

The [[Port of Montevideo]], in the northern part of Ciudad Vieja, is one of the major ports of South America and plays a very important role in the city's economy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Puertos de Montevideo |url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/URY_Puerto_de_Montevideo_112.php |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=World Port Source |archive-date=16 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716122247/http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/URY_Puerto_de_Montevideo_112.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Puertos Comerciales del Uruguay – Montevideo |url=http://www.anp.com.uy/montevideo/default.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221033000/http://www.anp.com.uy/montevideo/default.asp |archive-date=21 December 2010 |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=Administracion Nacional de Puertos}}</ref> The port has been growing rapidly and consistently at an average annual rate of 14 percent due to an increase in foreign trade. The city has received a US$20&nbsp;million loan from the [[Inter-American Development Bank]] to modernize the port, increase its size and efficiency, and enable lower maritime and river transportation costs.<ref name="iadb">{{Cite web |title=Uruguay grts IDB financing to modernize the port of Montevideo |url=http://www.iadb.org/news-releases/2009-12/english/uruguay-gets-idb-financing-to-modernize-port-of-montevideo-6045.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130112215445/http://www.iadb.org/news-releases/2009-12/english/uruguay-gets-idb-financing-to-modernize-port-of-montevideo-6045.html |archive-date=12 January 2013 |access-date=19 November 2010 |publisher=[[Inter-American Development Bank]]}}</ref>

The most important state-owned companies headquartered in Montevideo are: [[State Railways Administration of Uruguay|AFE]] (railways),<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFE |url=http://www.afe.com.uy// |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501121433/http://www.afe.com.uy// |archive-date=1 May 2011 |access-date=24 November 2010 |publisher=AFE}}</ref> [[ANCAP (Uruguay)|ANCAP]] (Energy),<ref>{{Cite web |title=ANCAP |url=http://www.ancap.com.uy/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904215142/https://www.ancap.com.uy/ |archive-date=4 September 2019 |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=ANCAP}}</ref> Administracion Nacional de Puertos (Ports), [[ANTEL]] (telecommunications),<ref>{{Cite web |title=ANTEL, la empresa de comunicación de los uruguayos |url=http://www.antel.com.uy/antel/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629045809/http://www.antel.com.uy/antel/ |archive-date=29 June 2012 |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=ANTEL}}</ref> [[Banco Hipotecario del Uruguay|BHU]] (savings and loan),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Banco Hipotecario del Uruguay |url=http://www.bhu.com.uy/ |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=BHU |archive-date=19 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119181149/http://www.bhu.com.uy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay|BROU]] (bank),<ref>{{Cite web |title=BROU – Home |url=http://www.brou.com.uy/web/guest/home |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=BROU |archive-date=19 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119052942/http://brou.com.uy/web/guest/home |url-status=dead }}</ref> BSE (insurance),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Banco de Seguros del Estado |url=http://www.bse.com.uy/inicio/ |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=BSE |archive-date=4 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104094644/http://www.bse.com.uy/Inicio |url-status=dead }}</ref> OSE (water & sewage),<ref>{{Cite web |title=OSE – Obras Sanitarias del Estado |url=http://www.ose.com.uy/ |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=OSE |archive-date=19 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119052944/http://www.ose.com.uy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[UTE]] (electricity).<ref>{{Cite web |title=UTE : La energía de todos |url=http://www.ute.com.uy/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127044110/http://www.ute.com.uy/index.html |archive-date=27 November 2010 |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=UTE}}</ref> These companies operate under public law, using a legal entity defined in the Uruguayan Constitution called ''Ente Autonomo'' ("autonomous entity"). The government also owns part of other companies operating under private law, such as those owned wholly or partially by the CND (National Development Corporation).

Banking has traditionally been one of the strongest service export sectors in Uruguay: the country was once dubbed "the Switzerland of America",<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 October 2007 |title=Uruguay is Worth a Visit |url=http://www.leeabbamonte.com/south-america/uruguay-is-worth-a-visit.html |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=BootsnAll Travel Network |archive-date=14 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114225918/http://www.leeabbamonte.com/south-america/uruguay-is-worth-a-visit.html |url-status=live }}</ref> mainly for its banking sector and stability, although that stability has been threatened in the 21st century by the recent global economic climate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crisis spreads to the 'Switzerland of America'! |url=http://www.revolutionarycommunist.org/index.php/latin-america/653-crisis-spreads-to-the-switzerland-of-america--frfi-169-oct--nov-2002.html |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=Revolutionary Communist Group |archive-date=26 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426042219/http://www.revolutionarycommunist.org/index.php/latin-america/653-crisis-spreads-to-the-switzerland-of-america--frfi-169-oct--nov-2002.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The largest bank in Uruguay is Banco Republica (BROU), based in Montevideo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BROU sitemap |url=http://www.bancorepublica.com.uy/web/guest/institucional/sitemap |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=BROU |archive-date=27 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127181059/http://bancorepublica.com.uy/web/guest/institucional/sitemap |url-status=dead }}</ref> 9 private banks, most of them branches of international banks, operate in the country ([[Banco Santander]], [[Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria|BBVA]], [[ABN AMRO]], [[Citibank]], among others). There are also a myriad of brokers and financial-services bureaus, among them Ficus Capital, Galfin Sociedad de Bolsa, Europa Sociedad de Bolsa, Darío Cukier, GBU, Hordeñana & Asociados Sociedad de Bolsa, etc.

===Tourism===
[[File:Hotel Casino Carrasco (141187153).jpeg|left|thumb|[[Hotel Carrasco|Hotel Casino Carrasco]]]]

Montevideo is Uruguay’s leading tourist destination, welcoming approximately 1 million visitors in 2024, which represents about 27% of all tourists visiting the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-22 |title=Turismo receptivo: ¿cuántos turistas ingresaron a Uruguay durante el 2024 y cuánto gastaron? |url=https://www.elpais.com.uy/negocios/noticias/turismo-receptivo-cuantos-turistas-ingresaron-a-uruguay-durante-el-2024-y-cuanto-gastaron |access-date=2025-07-30 |website=EL PAIS |language=es-UY}}</ref> The biggest share of international tourists come from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-30 |title=En 2024 Uruguay recibió más de 3 millones de turistas consolidando el crecimiento {{!}} La Mañana |url=https://www.xn--lamaana-7za.uy/actualidad/en-2024-uruguay-recibio-mas-de-3-millones-de-turistas-consolidando-el-crecimiento/ |access-date=2025-07-30 |language=es}}</ref> In 2025, Montevideo was designated as a smart destination and has been recognized as an [[LGBTQ tourism|LGBTQ-friendly city]], reflecting Uruguay’s strong international standing in [[LGBTQ rights in Uruguay|LGBTQ rights]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guía europea referente del Turismo LGBT+, reconoció a Uruguay como destino gay friendly |url=https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-turismo/comunicacion/noticias/guia-europea-referente-del-turismo-lgbt-reconocio-uruguay-destino-gay |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250311132314/https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-turismo/comunicacion/noticias/guia-europea-referente-del-turismo-lgbt-reconocio-uruguay-destino-gay |archive-date=2025-03-11 |access-date=2025-07-30 |website=Ministerio de Turismo |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Montevideo obtuvo certificación como Destino Turístico Inteligente |url=https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-turismo/comunicacion/noticias/montevideo-obtuvo-certificacion-destino-turistico-inteligente |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524154116/https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-turismo/comunicacion/noticias/montevideo-obtuvo-certificacion-destino-turistico-inteligente |archive-date=2025-05-24 |access-date=2025-07-30 |website=Ministerio de Turismo |language=es}}</ref>
[[File:Crucero en el Puerto de Montevideo - panoramio.jpg|thumb|226x226px|Cruise ship at the [[Port of Montevideo]]]]
Tourism in Montevideo is centered in the [[Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo|Ciudad Vieja]] area, which includes the city's oldest buildings, several museums, art galleries, and nightclubs, with [[Peatonal Sarandí|Sarandí Street]] and the [[Mercado del Puerto]] being its most frequented venues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=La nueva Ciudad Vieja |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/circuitos-turisticos/la-nueva-ciudad-vieja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044401/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/circuitos-turisticos/la-nueva-ciudad-vieja |archive-date=26 April 2011 |access-date=26 November 2010 |publisher=Intendencia de Montevideo}}</ref> On the edge of Ciudad Vieja, [[Plaza Independencia]] is surrounded by many sights, including the [[Solís Theatre]] and the [[Palacio Salvo]]; the plaza also constitutes one end of [[18 de Julio Avenue]], the city's most important tourist destination outside of Ciudad Vieja. Apart from being a shopping street, the avenue is noted for its [[Art Deco]] buildings,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Art déco |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/circuitos-turisticos/art-deco |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019063207/http://montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/circuitos-turisticos/art-deco |archive-date=19 October 2011 |access-date=26 November 2010 |publisher=Intendencia de Montevideo}}</ref> three important public squares, the Gaucho Museum, the [[Palacio Municipal (Montevideo)|Palacio Municipal]] and many other sights. The avenue leads to the [[Obelisk of Montevideo]]; beyond that is [[Parque Batlle]], which along with the [[Parque Prado]] is another important tourist destination.<ref>{{Cite web |title=El Prado |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/circuitos-turisticos/el-prado |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910200143/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/circuitos-turisticos/el-prado |archive-date=10 September 2014 |access-date=26 November 2010 |publisher=Intendencia de Montevideo}}</ref> Along the coast, the [[Fortaleza del Cerro]], the [[La Rambla, Montevideo|''Rambla'']] (the coastal avenue), {{convert|13|km|sp=us}} of sandy beaches,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Costa |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/costa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025072929/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/costa |archive-date=25 October 2010 |access-date=26 November 2010 |publisher=Intendencia de Montevideo}}</ref> and [[Punta Gorda, Montevideo|Punta Gorda]] attract many tourists, as do the [[Barrio Sur, Montevideo|Barrio Sur]] and [[Palermo, Montevideo|Palermo]] ''barrios''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barrios Sur y Palermo |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/circuitos-turisticos/barrios-sur-y-palermo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727161551/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/paseos/circuitos-turisticos/barrios-sur-y-palermo |archive-date=27 July 2011 |access-date=26 November 2010 |publisher=Intendencia de Montevideo}}</ref>
[[File:Avenida 18 de Julio Montevideo, Uruguay 2021.jpg|thumb|[[18 de Julio Avenue]]|225x225px]]
The [[Ministry of Tourism (Uruguay)|Ministry of Tourism]] offers a two-and-a-half-hour city tour<ref>{{Cite web |title=Montevideo City Tour |url=http://www.turismo.gub.uy/circ-montevideo/city-tour-montevideo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025074953/http://www.turismo.gub.uy/circ-montevideo/city-tour-montevideo |archive-date=25 October 2010 |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Uruguay}}</ref> and the Montevideo Tourist Guide Association offers guided tours in English, Italian, Portuguese and German.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Datos útiles / Tours |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/datos-utiles/tours |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029144630/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ciudad/datos-utiles/tours |archive-date=29 October 2010 |access-date=20 November 2010 |publisher=Intendencia de Montevideo}}</ref> Apart from these, many private companies offer organized city tours.

Most tourists to the city come from Argentina, Brazil and Europe, with the number of visitors from elsewhere in Latin America and from the United States growing every year, thanks to an increasing number of international airline arrivals at [[Carrasco International Airport]] as well as cruises and ferries that arrive into the port of Montevideo.

=== Retail ===
[[File:Portones Shopping Estacionamiento.png|thumb|224x224px|[[Portones Shopping]]]]
Montevideo is the heartland of retail, business, and real estate in Uruguay. Since the late 19th century, several [[Department store|department stores]] were established, turning the neighborhoods of [[Centro, Montevideo|Centro]]—particularly the [[18 de Julio Avenue]]—and [[Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo|Ciudad Vieja]] into the city’s main commercial areas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-23 |title=London París: un ícono del centro de Montevideo |url=https://www.elpais.com.uy/especiales/uruguay-35-anos-despues/london-paris-un-icono-del-centro-de-montevideo |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=EL PAIS |language=en}}</ref> However, beginning in the 1980s, shopping malls started to be built in different parts of the city, significantly altering its commercial landscape.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 October 2013 |title=Abrió sus puertas Nuevocentro shopping, el compacto gigante más moderno de Montevideo |url=https://www.lr21.com.uy/economia/1137867-abrio-sus-puertas-nuevocentro-shopping-el-compacto-gigante-mas-moderno-de-montevideo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924102534/https://www.lr21.com.uy/economia/1137867-abrio-sus-puertas-nuevocentro-shopping-el-compacto-gigante-mas-moderno-de-montevideo |archive-date=24 September 2020 |access-date=30 July 2020 |website=LARED21 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=El norte también existe |url=https://www.montevideo.com.uy/auc.aspx?675757 |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Canal-M}}</ref> In 1985, [[Montevideo Shopping]] became the first shopping mall in the [[Southern Cone]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Remo Pedreschi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jK4QyY4vIHgC&q=Montevideo+Shopping++1985&pg=PA106 |title=The engineer's contribution to contemporary architecture |publisher=Thomas Telford |year=2000 |isbn=0-7277-2772-9 |pages=106–112 |access-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141509/https://books.google.com/books?id=jK4QyY4vIHgC&q=Montevideo+Shopping++1985&pg=PA106#v=snippet&q=Montevideo%20Shopping%20%201985&f=false |archive-date=5 October 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In addition to the commercial areas located in the city center, other important retail zones include the neighborhoods of [[Unión, Montevideo|Unión]], [[Belvedere, Montevideo|Belvedere]] and [[Paso del Molino]], as well as [[Villa Muñoz]]—the city's historic [[Jewish quarter (diaspora)|Jewish quarter]]—noted for its concentration of low-cost retail establishments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garat |first=Guillermo |date=2017-12-23 |title=Arenal Grande en Navidad: una colmena made in China |url=https://ladiaria.com.uy/cotidiana/articulo/2017/12/arenal-grande-en-navidad-una-colmena-made-in-china/ |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=la diaria |language=es-UY}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=La Unión: un barrio comercial e industrial clave en el desarrollo de Montevideo |url=https://ladiaria.com.uy/usuarios/entrar/?article=119920 |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=la diaria |language=es-UY}}</ref>

=== Media ===
Out of the 100 radio stations found in Uruguay, 40 of them are in Montevideo. The city has a vibrant artistic and literary community. The press enjoyed full freedom until the advent of the [[Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay|Civic-military dictatorship (1973–1985)]]; this freedom returned on 1 March 1985, as part of the restoration of democracy.

Some of the important newspapers published in the city are: ''[[Brecha (newspaper)|Brecha]]'', ''[[La República (Uruguay)|La República]]'', ''[[El Observador (Uruguay)|El Observador]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2011 |title=El Observador |url=http://www.observa.com.uy/ |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Observa.com.uy |archive-date=26 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426015436/http://www.observa.com.uy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[El País (Uruguay)|El País]]'', ''Gaceta Comercial'' and ''La Diaria''.<ref name="Crowther">{{Cite book |last1=Geoff Crowther |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9L-lrQcQeMQC&q=Media |title=South America on a shoestring |last2=Rob Rachowiecki |last3=Krzysztof Dydyński |publisher=Lonely Planet Publications |year=1990 |isbn=0-86442-055-2 |pages=746–747 |author-link=Geoff Crowther |access-date=17 November 2010 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005141511/https://books.google.com/books?id=9L-lrQcQeMQC&q=Media |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[El Día (Uruguay)|El Día]]'' was the most prestigious paper in Uruguay, founded in 1886 by José Batlle, who would later go on to become President of Uruguay. The paper ceased production in the early 1990s.<ref>[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]</ref> All television stations have their headquarters in Montevideo, for example: [[Channel 10 (Uruguay)|Saeta Channel 10]], [[Teledoce]], [[Channel 4, Uruguay|Channel 4]] and [[Televisión Nacional Uruguay|National Television (Channel 5)]]

== Transport ==
=== Public transport ===
[[File:Bus CUTCSA de Montevideo, Uruguay.png|thumb|230x230px|Bus of CUTCSA, the largest bus company in Montevideo.]]
The city and its [[Montevideo metropolitan area|metropolitan area]] have a bus transportation network, the ''Sistema Met''s acronym. It covers urban and interurban services within the Metropolitan Area and is administered by the municipal government together with the [[Ministry of Transport and Public Works (Uruguay)|Ministry of Transport and Public Works]]. The Baltasar Brum Terminal located in [[Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo|Ciudad Vieja]], is the main urban bus station.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Observador|first=El|title=Terminal Río Branco no da abasto y estudian dónde estacionar ómnibus que esperan por salir|url=https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/terminal-rio-branco-no-da-abasto-y-estudian-donde-estacionar-omnibus-que-esperan-por-salir-20216221180|access-date=12 December 2021|website=El Observador|archive-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212015238/https://www.elobservador.com.uy/nota/terminal-rio-branco-no-da-abasto-y-estudian-donde-estacionar-omnibus-que-esperan-por-salir-20216221180|url-status=live}}</ref> However, there are numerous interchanges and terminals distributed in both the city and the metropolitan area.

=== Taxis ===
[[File:Taxis de Montevideo, Uruguay. 542.jpg|thumb|229x229px|Taxis of Montevideo.]]
The livery of most Montevideo taxis features white on the sides, along with a yellow band, as well as yellow on the top of the car. To determine the rate they use a taximeter, which will determine the price depending on the distance traveled. All taxis accept cash, although it is also common that a passenger can pay with a credit card.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taxis |url=https://www.descubrimontevideo.uy/en/taxis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518060330/https://www.descubrimontevideo.uy/en/taxis |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 May 2024 |access-date=6 September 2022 |website=www.descubrimontevideo.uy |language=en }}</ref>

=== Rail ===
The [[State Railways Administration of Uruguay]] (AFE) operates three commuter rail lines, namely the Empalme Olmos, San Jose and Florida. These lines operate to major suburban areas of [[Canelones Department|Canelones]], [[San José Department|San José]] and [[Florida Department|Florida]]. Within the Montevideo city limits, local trains stop at [[Lorenzo Carnelli]], Yatai (Step Mill), [[Sayago, Montevideo|Sayago]], Colón (line to San Jose and Florida), [[Peñarol]] and [[Manga, Montevideo|Manga]] (line Empalme Olmos) stations. The historic 19th century [[Estación Central General Artigas|General Artigas Central Station]] located in the ''[[barrio]]'' [[Aguada, Montevideo|Aguada]], six blocks from the central business district, was abandoned 1 March 2003 and remains closed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Observa Ciudadano :: Montevideo – Uruguay |url=http://www.observa.com.uy/osecciones/ociudadano/calientenota.aspx?id=63259 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928015022/http://www.observa.com.uy/osecciones/ociudadano/calientenota.aspx?id=63259 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Observa.com.uy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 2009 |title=Consultor ferroviario europeo visitará la Estación Central General Artigas |url=http://www.sociedaduruguaya.org/2009/02/consultor-ferroviario-europeo-visitara-la-estacion-central-general-artigas.html |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Sociedad Uruguaya |archive-date=28 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728041322/http://www.sociedaduruguaya.org/2009/02/consultor-ferroviario-europeo-visitara-la-estacion-central-general-artigas.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A new station, {{convert|500|m|sp=us}} north of the old one and part of the [[Telecommunications Tower (Montevideo)|Telecommunications Tower]] modern complex, has taken over the rail traffic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Passenger Group defending Montevideo Central Station |url=http://lfu1.tripod.com/index-8.html |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Lfu1.tripod.com |archive-date=20 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820004120/http://lfu1.tripod.com/index-8.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The train service is currently suspended for works related to the modernization of the railway system until mid-2023 when the work will end.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />{{Update inline|date=July 2024}}

=== Intercity buses ===
The [[Tres Cruces bus station]] is the main bus terminal in Uruguay, serving long-distance buses that travel into Montevideo, from other parts of the country and abroad. Inaugurated in 1994, it serves more than 12 million passengers per year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tres Cruces "se echa encima" US$ 38 millones (3 por pasajero). Te contamos cómo se acomodan las marcas en el shopping |url=https://infonegocios.biz/plus/tres-cruces-se-echa-encima-us-38-millones-3-por-pasajero-te-contamos-como-se-acomodan-las-marcas-en-el-shopping |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212015237/https://infonegocios.biz/plus/tres-cruces-se-echa-encima-us-38-millones-3-por-pasajero-te-contamos-como-se-acomodan-las-marcas-en-el-shopping |archive-date=12 December 2021 |access-date=12 December 2021 |website=infonegocios.biz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=11 May 2012|title=Tres cruces Memoria y balance Ejercicio finalizado el 30 de abril de 2011|url=http://www.trescruces.com.uy/pdf/memoria-2011.pdf|access-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511003114/http://www.trescruces.com.uy/pdf/memoria-2011.pdf|archive-date=11 May 2012}}</ref> 
[[File:Aeropuerto carrasco.jpg|thumb|232x232px|[[Carrasco International Airport]]]]
Companies operating at Tres Cruces bus station: Agencia central, Bruno, Copsa, Cromin, Cynsa, Copay, Cot, Cut, Corporacion, Cita, Cauvi, Colonia Express, El Condor, El Norteño, Ega, Expreso Chago, Expreso Minuano, Intertur, Nossar, Nuñez, Rutas del sol, TTL, Turil, Turismar, etc.

=== Aviation ===
Montevideo is served by the [[Carrasco International Airport]] {{Airport codes|MVD|SUMU}}, which is located in the north of [[Ciudad de la Costa]], in [[Canelones Department]], {{convert|12|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} from the city center. It handles over 1,5 million passengers per year,<ref name="Blore">{{Cite book |last1=Blore |first1=Shawn |url=https://archive.org/details/frommerssoutham000blor/page/672 |title=Frommer's South America |last2=Shane Christensen |last3=Alexandra de Vries |last4=Eliot Greenspan |last5=Haas Mroue |last6=Neil E. Schlecht |last7=Kristina Schreck |publisher=John Wiley and Sons |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-7645-5625-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/frommerssoutham000blor/page/672 672–673]}}</ref><ref>[http://www.aic.com.uy/ Carrasco International Airport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830015215/http://www.aic.com.uy/ |date=30 August 2009 }}</ref> and has been cited as one of the most efficient and traveler-friendly airports in Latin America.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 July 2019|title=Aeropuerto de Carrasco premiado como uno de los cinco mejores de América Latina|url=https://www.lr21.com.uy/cultura/1406265-aeropuerto-de-carrasco-premiado-como-uno-de-los-cinco-mejores-de-america-latina|access-date=12 December 2021|website=LARED21|language=es|archive-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212015246/https://www.lr21.com.uy/cultura/1406265-aeropuerto-de-carrasco-premiado-como-uno-de-los-cinco-mejores-de-america-latina|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Ángel S. Adami Airport]] is a private airport operated by minor charter companies and in which there is also a flight school.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ministerio de Defensa inauguró obras en el aeropuerto de Melilla|url=https://www.gub.uy/presidencia/comunicacion/noticias/ministerio-defensa-inauguro-obras-aeropuerto-melilla|access-date=12 December 2021|website=Uruguay Presidencia|language=es|archive-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212015237/https://www.gub.uy/presidencia/comunicacion/noticias/ministerio-defensa-inauguro-obras-aeropuerto-melilla|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Port ===
{{main|Port of Montevideo}}
[[File:Colonia_del_Sacramento_2016_042.jpg|thumb|[[Buquebus]] high-speed ferries connect Montevideo to [[Argentina]]|230x230px]]
Montevideo is also served by a [[Ferry|ferry system]] operated by the company [[Buquebus]] that connects the port with [[Buenos Aires]]. More than 2.2&nbsp;million people per year travel between Argentina and Uruguay with Buquebus. One of these ships is a [[catamaran]], which can reach a top speed of about {{convert|80|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buquebus |url=http://www.buquebus.com/cache/HomeARG.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621063259/http://www.buquebus.com/cache/HomeARG.html |archive-date=21 June 2009 |access-date=9 August 2009 |publisher=Buquebus}}</ref>[[File:stk 1340.jpg|thumb|Port of Montevideo|left|226x226px]]The port on Montevideo Bay is one of the reasons the city was founded. It gives natural protection to ships, although two jetties now further protect the harbor entrance from waves. This natural port is competitive with the other great port of Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Infraestructura Física – Proyecto Nueva Terminal de Contenedores del Puerto de Montevideo. |url=http://www.anp.com.uy/montevideo/infraestructura/mvd_infraestructura.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216022436/http://www.anp.com.uy/montevideo/infraestructura/mvd_infraestructura.asp |archive-date=16 December 2009 |access-date=17 November 2009 |publisher=Puerto de Montevideo |language=es}}</ref>
The main engineering work on the port occurred between the years 1870 and 1930. These six decades saw the construction of the port's first wooden pier, several warehouses in La Aguada, the north and south Rambla, a river port, a new pier, the dredged river basin and the [[La Teja Refinery]]. A major storm in 1923 necessitated repairs to many of the city's engineering works.<ref name="PieGau" /> Since the second half of the 20th century, until the 21st century, physical changes had ceased, and since that time the area had degraded due to national economic stagnation.<ref name="PieGau" />

The port's proximity has contributed to the installation of various industries in the area surrounding the bay, particularly import/export businesses and other business related to port and naval activity. The density of industrial development in the area surrounding the port has kept its popularity as a residential area relatively low despite its centrality. The main environmental problems are subaquatic sedimentation and air and water contamination.<ref name=PieGau />

Every year more than one hundred cruises arrive, bringing tourists to Montevideo by public or private tours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cruise tours at Montevideo |url=http://www.indooruruguay.com/en/tour/private-cruise-tours-montevideo-punta-del-este |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524185751/http://www.indooruruguay.com/en/tour/private-cruise-tours-montevideo-punta-del-este |archive-date=24 May 2013 |access-date=22 July 2012}}</ref>

=== Cycling ===
The city has bicycle circuits in [[Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo|Ciudad Vieja]], [[Artigas Boulevard]] and [[Centro, Montevideo|Centro]] as well as with good facilities for cyclists such as bike paths and [[Bicycle stand|bike racks]] throughout the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Conoce el Circuito de Bicicletas de Montevideo|url=https://www.turismoenmontevideo.com/conoce-el-circuito-de-bicicletas-de-montevideo/|access-date=12 December 2021|website=Guía de turismo en Montevideo|date=20 October 2015|language=es|archive-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212015236/https://www.turismoenmontevideo.com/conoce-el-circuito-de-bicicletas-de-montevideo/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013 the "South Bicicircuito" was also inaugurated, which connects several of the dependent faculties of the University of the Republic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Se inaugura el Bicicircuito Sur|url=https://www.montevideo.com.uy/Noticias/Se-inaugura-el-Bicicircuito-Sur-uc211415|access-date=12 December 2021|website=Montevideo Portal|language=es|archive-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212015241/https://www.montevideo.com.uy/Noticias/Se-inaugura-el-Bicicircuito-Sur-uc211415|url-status=live}}</ref> There are more than 100 bike stations in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 June 2020 |title=Montevideo extiende su red vial para bicicletas |url=https://montevideo.gub.uy/noticias/movilidad-y-transporte/montevideo-extiende-su-red-vial-para-bicicletas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212015247/https://montevideo.gub.uy/noticias/movilidad-y-transporte/montevideo-extiende-su-red-vial-para-bicicletas |archive-date=12 December 2021 |access-date=12 December 2021 |website=Intendencia de Montevideo. |language=es}}</ref> In 2014, a [[Bicycle-sharing system|bicycle sharing system]] called ''Movete'' was launched.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ElPais |date=7 August 2019 |title=IMM licita 60 estaciones para 600 bicicletas en Montevideo |url=https://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/sociedad/imm-licita-estaciones-bicicletas-montevideo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205044706/https://www.elpais.com.uy/informacion/sociedad/imm-licita-estaciones-bicicletas-montevideo.html |archive-date=5 December 2019 |access-date=12 December 2021 |website=Diario EL PAIS Uruguay |language=spanish}}</ref>

==Education==

===Public education===
[[File:2016 Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de la República, Avenida 18 de Julio.jpg|thumb|234x234px|University of the Republic law school.]]
The [[University of the Republic (Uruguay)|University of the Republic]] is the country's largest and most important university, with a student body of 81,774, according to the census of 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Universidades Uruguayas |url=http://www.uruguayy.com/uruguay-uruguay/universidades-uruguayas/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201041348/http://www.uruguayy.com/uruguay-uruguay/universidades-uruguayas/ |archive-date=1 December 2010 |access-date=22 November 2010 |publisher=Y20 Network}}</ref> It was founded on 18 July 1849 in Montevideo, where most of its buildings and facilities are still located. Its [[Rector (academia)|Rector]] is Dr. [[Rodrigo Arocena]]. The university houses 14 faculties (departments) and various institutes and schools. Many eminent Uruguayans have graduated from this university, including [[Carlos Vaz Ferreira]], [[José Luis Massera]], [[Gabriel Paternain]], [[Mario Wschebor]], [[Roman Fresnedo Siri]], [[Carlos Ott]] and [[Eladio Dieste]]

The process of founding the country's public university began on 11 June 1833 with the passage of a law proposed by Senator Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga. It called for the creation of nine academic departments; the President of the Republic would pass a decree formally creating the departments once the majority of them were in operation. In 1836, the House of General Studies was formed, housing the departments of Latin, philosophy, mathematics, theology and jurisprudence. On 27 May 1838, [[Manuel Oribe]] passed a decree establishing the Greater University of the Republic.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portal de la UdelaR – Historia |url=http://www.universidad.edu.uy/renderPage/index/pageId/98#heading_761 |access-date=22 November 2010 |publisher=UdelaR |archive-date=28 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328031527/http://www.universidad.edu.uy/renderPage/index/pageId/98#heading_761 |url-status=live }}</ref> That decree had few practical effects, given the institutional instability of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay at that time.
[[File:Kindergarten kids at a public school in Montevideo, Uruguay.jpg|thumb|left|Kindergarten kids at a public school in Montevideo]]

===Private education===
The largest private university in Uruguay,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Presentación institucional |url=https://www.ort.edu.uy/la-universidad/presentacion-institucional |access-date=22 November 2010 |publisher=Universidad ORT Uruguay |archive-date=21 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821234111/http://www.ort.edu.uy/index.php?id=AAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> is also located in Montevideo. [[Universidad ORT Uruguay|ORT Uruguay]] was first established as a non-profit organization in 1942, and was officially certified as a private university in September 1996, becoming the first private educational institution in the country to achieve that status.<ref>{{cite web |title=La universidad |url=https://www.ort.edu.uy/the-story-of-ort-in-uruguay#:~:text=Joseph%20Harmatz%2C%20Director%20General%20of,Widening%20the%20educational%20scope |website=Universidad ORT |publisher=Universidad ORT Uruguay |access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref> It is a member of [[World ORT]], an international educational network founded in 1880 by the Jewish community in [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World ORT education charity supporting Jewish and International causes. |url=http://www.ort.org/asp/default.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051029042030/http://www.ort.org/asp/default.asp |archive-date=29 October 2005 |access-date=22 November 2010 |publisher=World ORT}}</ref>
The university has about 8,000 students, distributed among 5 faculties and institutes, mainly geared towards the sciences and technology/engineering. Its rector {{As of|2010|lc=y}} is Dr. Jorge A. Grünberg.

Another private university in Uruguay is the [[University of Montevideo]] (Spanish: Universidad de Montevideo, short: UM). It opened in 1986 and obtained the right to be legally named a [[university]] in 1997. With its seven schools the UM has facilities all over Montevideo. The Universidad de Montevideo also holds more than 250 partnerships with other universities in 47 countries. Since 2019 is the university ranked in the Top 500 in the world by the [[QS World University Rankings]] (QSWUR).<ref>{{Cite web |title=UM International {{!}} UM |url=https://www.um.edu.uy/international |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=www.um.edu.uy}}</ref>

The Montevideo [[Crandon Institute]] is an American School of missionary origin and the main [[Methodist Church|Methodist]] educational institution in Uruguay. Founded in 1879 and supported by the Women's Society of the Methodist Church of the United States, it is one of the most traditional and emblematic institutions in the city inculcating [[John Wesley]]'s values. Its alumni include presidents, senators, ambassadors and Nobel Prize winners{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}, along with musicians, scientists, and others. The Montevideo Crandon Institute boasts of being the first academic institution in South America where a [[home economics]] course was taught.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instituto Crandon |url=http://www.crandon.edu.uy/portal/hgxpp001.aspx?80 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220133911/http://www.crandon.edu.uy/portal/hgxpp001.aspx?80 |archive-date=20 December 2007 |access-date=28 November 2010 |publisher=Instituto Crandon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Fitzgerald |first=D. T. |year=1955 |title=American Schools in Latin America |journal=The Phi Delta Kappan |volume=36 |issue=9 |pages=337–341 |jstor=20341657}}</ref>

[[File:Montevideo school play laundress.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A laundress girl in a school play in Montevideo]]
The [[Christian Brothers of Ireland]] [[Stella Maris College (Montevideo)|Stella Maris College]] is a private, [[co-educational]], [[not-for-profit]] Catholic school located in the wealthy residential southeastern neighborhood of [[Carrasco, Montevideo|Carrasco]]. Established in 1955, it is regarded as one of the best high schools in the country, blending a rigorous curriculum with strong extracurricular activities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colegio Stella Maris – Historia |url=http://www.stellamaris.edu.uy/ContentAction.do?action=loadContent&contId=1003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225180401/http://www.stellamaris.edu.uy/ContentAction.do?action=loadContent&contId=1003 |archive-date=25 December 2008 |access-date=22 November 2010 |publisher=Colegio Stella Maris}}</ref> The school's headmaster, history professor Juan Pedro Toni, is a member of the Stella Maris Board of Governors and the school is a member of the [[International Baccalaureate Organization]] (IBO). Its long list of distinguished former pupils includes economists, engineers, architects, lawyers, politicians and even [[Formula One|F1]] champions. The school has also played an important part in the development of [[rugby union in Uruguay]], with the creation of [[Old Christians Club]], the school's [[alumnus|alumni]] club.

Also in Carrasco is [[The British Schools of Montevideo]], one of the oldest educational institutions in the country, founded in 1908 with "the object of giving children a complete education, both intellectual and moral, based upon the ideas and principles of the best schools in The British Isles".<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the School |url=http://portal.british.edu.uy/web/en/about-us/history-of-the-school.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312131423/http://portal.british.edu.uy/web/en/about-us/history-of-the-school.html |archive-date=12 March 2017 |access-date=4 January 2017}}</ref> The School is governed by the Board of Governors, elected by the British Schools Society in Uruguay, whose honorary president is the British Ambassador to Uruguay. Prominent alumni include president [[Luis Lacalle Pou]] and former government ministers [[Pedro Bordaberry]] and [[Gabriel Gurméndez Armand-Ugon]].

Located in Cordon, St.Brendan's school, previously named St.Catherine's is a non-profit civil association, which has a solid institutional culture with a clear vision of the future. It is known for being one of the best schools in the country, joining students from the wealthiest parts of Montevideo, such as, Punta Carretas, Pocitos, Malvin and Carrasco.
St. Brendan's School is a bilingual, non-denominational school that promotes a pedagogical constructivist approach focused on the child as a whole. In this approach, understanding is built from the connections children make between their own prior knowledge and the learning experiences, thus developing critical thinking skills. It is also the only school in the country implementing the three [[International Baccalaureate Programme]]s. These are:
*Diploma Program – Pre-University course for students aged 16 to 19. The Diploma Program is a two-year curriculum.
*MYP -Middle Years Program. For students aged 12 to 16.
*PYP – Primary Years Program. For students aged 3 to 12.

Other educational institutions of note include Colegio Ingles, [[John XXIII Institute]], [[Lycée Français de Montevideo]], Ivy Thomas, [[German School of Montevideo]] and Colegio Preuniversitario Ciudad de San Felipe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colegio y Liceo San Felipe &#124; Preuniversitario Ciudad de San Felipe |url=http://www.sanfelipe.edu.uy/ |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Sanfelipe.edu.uy |archive-date=3 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003162846/http://www.sanfelipe.edu.uy/? |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Healthcare==
{{multiple image
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| image2            = Hospital de Clinicas - panoramio.jpg
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| footer            = Left: [[Italian Hospital of Montevideo]]. Right: [[Hospital Clinic Manuel Quintela|Hospital Clinic]]
}}

In Montevideo, as elsewhere in the country, there are both public and private health services. In both sectors, medical services are provided by [[polyclinic]]s and hospitals or sanatorios. The term ''hospital'' is used here for both outpatient and inpatient facilities, while ''sanatorio'' is used for private short- and long-term facilities for the treatment of illnesses.

===Public hospitals===
[[Manuel Quintela Clinic Hospital|Hospital de Clínicas "Dr. Manuel Quintela"]] is a University Hospital attached to the [[University of the Republic]], and is located on [[Avenida Italia]]. It functions as an adult general polyclinic and hospital. The building was designed by architect Carlos Surraco in 1928–1929 and has a surface area of {{convert|110000|sqm|sqft|sp=us}} on 23 floors. The hospital was inaugurated 21 September 1953. For many years it was led by Dr. [[Hugo Villar]], who was a considerable influence on the institution.

[[Hospital Maciel]] is one of the oldest hospitals in Uruguay and stands on the block bounded by the streets Maciel, 25 de Mayo, Guaraní and Washington, with the main entrance at 25 de Mayo, 172. The land was originally donated in Spanish colonial times by philanthropist [[Francisco Antonio Maciel]], who teamed up with [[Mateo Vidal]] to establish a hospital and charity. The first building was constructed between 1781 and 1788 and later expanded upon. The present building stems from the 1825 plans of José Toribio (son of {{interlanguage link|Tomás Toribio|es}}) and later [[Bernardo Poncini]] (wing on the Guaraní street, 1859), Eduardo Canstatt (corner of Guaraní and 25 de Mayo) and Julián Masquelez (1889). The hospital has a [[Capilla de la Caridad del Hospital Maciel, Montevideo|chapel built in Greek style]] by Miguel Estévez in 1798.

[[Hospital Pereira Rossell]] was founded in 1908 and was built on land donated in late 1900 by Alexis Rossell y Rius and Dolores Pereira de Rossell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.correo.com.uy/sel/index.asp?codpag=detProd&smen=filatelia&idp=633&s=1|title=Productos y Servicios – Correo Uruguayo|website=www.correo.com.uy|access-date=13 September 2021|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508165243/https://www.correo.com.uy/sel/index.asp?codpag=detProd&smen=filatelia&idp=633&s=1|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the city's first pediatric hospital, and shortly afterwards the addition of an obstetric and gynecological clinic in 1915 made it the first maternity hospital as well. Later, the hospital received a donation from Dr. Enrique Pouey for a radiotherapy unit.

[[Hospital Vilardebó]] is the only psychiatric hospital in Montevideo. Named after the physician and naturalist {{interlanguage link|Teodoro Vilardebó|es|Teodoro Vilardebó Matuliche}}, it opened 21 May 1880.<ref>Beatriz Pasturino y col. [http://www.mednet.org.uy/~spu/revista/dic2004/03_estudio.pdf Estudio sobre suicidios consumados. Población usuaria del Hospital Vilardebó] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430193155/http://www.mednet.org.uy/~spu/revista/dic2004/03_estudio.pdf |date=30 April 2011 }} (en español). Rev. Psiquiatr. Urug. 2004;68(2):147–161. Last access 25 January 2010.</ref> The hospital was originally one of the best of Latin America and in 1915 grew to 1,500 inpatients. Today the hospital is very deteriorated, with broken walls and floors, lack of medicines, beds, and rooms for the personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Radio Centenario 1250 AM |title=Leonardo Danovich denuncia grave situación que atraviesa el Hospital Vilardebó |url=http://www.radio36.com.uy/entrevistas/2008/04/140408_danovich.html |access-date=19 November 2010 |language=es |archive-date=18 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818123918/http://www.radio36.com.uy/entrevistas/2008/04/140408_danovich.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It has an emergency service, outpatient, clinic and inpatient rooms and employs approximately 610 staff, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, administrators, guards, among others.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ricardo Acuña |year=2004 |title=Servicio de Emergencia del Hospital Vilardebó |url=http://www.mednet.org.uy/~spu/revista/dic2004/06_servicio.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=Rev Psiquiatr Urug |language=es |volume=68 |issue=2 |pages=194–207 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430193216/http://www.mednet.org.uy/~spu/revista/dic2004/06_servicio.pdf |archive-date=30 April 2011 |access-date=19 November 2010}}</ref> The average patient age is 30 years; more than half of the patients arrive by court order; 42% suffer from schizophrenia, 18% from depression and mania,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Presidencia, República Oriental del Uruguay |title=Autoridades practican modificaciones en el Vilardebó |url=http://www.ired.gub.uy/contenido/2007/02/2007020511.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106131308/http://www.ired.gub.uy/contenido/2007/02/2007020511.htm |archive-date=6 January 2010 |access-date=19 November 2010 |language=es}}</ref> and there are also a high percentage of drug addicted patients.

Other public polyclinics and hospitals of note include the [[Hospital Saint Bois]], founded 18 November 1928, which consists of a General Hospital and Eye Hospital; the Pasteur Hospital in La Unión neighborhood; the [[Spanish Hospital (Uruguay)|Hospital Español]], which was founded in 1886, passed to the private sector in the 20th century, closed in 2004 and was restored and re-inaugurated in 2007 as the municipal Juan Jose Crottogini Polyclinic;<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 December 2008 |title=Inauguración de nuevo CTI alivia falta de camas intensivas en ASSE |trans-title=Inauguration of new ICU alleviates lack of intensive care beds in ASSE|url=http://www.larepublica.com.uy/comunidad/344701-inauguracion-de-nuevo-cti-alivia-falta-de-camas-intensivas-en-asse |access-date=14 December 2010 |newspaper=[[La República (Uruguay)|La República]] |location=Montevideo |publisher=La Republica 21 |archive-date=30 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430224741/http://www.larepublica.com.uy/comunidad/344701-inauguracion-de-nuevo-cti-alivia-falta-de-camas-intensivas-en-asse |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Policlínica Municipal Dr. Juan Jose Crottogini |url=http://guiaderecursos.mides.gub.uy/mides/text.jsp?contentid=4501&site=1&channel=mides |access-date=14 December 2010 |publisher=Ministerio de Desarrollo Social |archive-date=30 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430033820/http://guiaderecursos.mides.gub.uy/mides/text.jsp?contentid=4501&site=1&channel=mides |url-status=live }}</ref> the National Cancer Institute; and the National Institute of Trauma and Orthopedics.

===Private healthcare===
Private healthcare is offered by many private health insurance companies, each of which has one or more polyclinics and owns or is associated with one or more hospitals. Private medical facilities of note include the [[Hospital Británico (Montevideo)|Hospital Británico]], the [[Italian Hospital of Montevideo]], Mutualista CASMU's Sanatoria I, II, III and IV, the Evangelical Hospital, {{interlanguage link|Médica Uruguaya|es}}, Sanatorio de la Asociación Española, Sanatorios del Círculo Católico, Sanatorio Casa de Galicia and Sanatorio GREMCA.

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in South America}}

===Twin towns and sister relations===
Montevideo is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagdeco|CHI}} [[Arica|Arica, Chile]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Intendencia Municipal de Montevideo |title=Proyecto de Acta de Hermanamiento entre las ciudades de Arica y Montevideo |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/sites/default/files/documentos-rrii/Arica.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6J6evP1ST?url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/sites/default/files/documentos-rrii/Arica.pdf |archive-date=24 August 2013 |access-date=24 July 2013 |language=es}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|PAR}} [[Asunción|Asunción, Paraguay]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asuncion.gov.py/intendencia/asuncion-montevideo-hermanadas-mediante-firma-una-carta-entendimiento|title=Asunción y Montevideo hermanadas mediante firma de una Carta de Entendimiento|date=10 August 2017|website=Municipalidad de Asunción|access-date=13 December 2020|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302031621/https://www.asuncion.gov.py/intendencia/asuncion-montevideo-hermanadas-mediante-firma-una-carta-entendimiento|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|ESP}} [[Barcelona|Barcelona, Spain]]<ref name="Barcelona">{{Cite web |title=Barcelona internacional – Ciutats agermanades |url=http://w3.bcn.es/XMLServeis/XMLHomeLinkPl/0,4022,229724149_257215678_1,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805171253/http://w3.bcn.es/XMLServeis/XMLHomeLinkPl/0,4022,229724149_257215678_1,00.html |archive-date=5 August 2009 |access-date=13 July 2009 |website=bcn.es |language=es}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|ARG}} [[Berisso|Berisso, Argentina]]<ref name="SC">{{Cite web |title=Relaciones internacionales |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/institucional/relaciones-internacionales/integracion-regional |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108082107/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/institucional/relaciones-internacionales/integracion-regional |archive-date=8 November 2011 |access-date=12 December 2011 |publisher=Intendencia Municipal de Montevideo |language=es}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|NIC}} [[Bluefields, Nicaragua]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|BRA}} [[Brasília|Brasília, Brazil]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|ESP}} [[Cádiz|Cádiz, Spain]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|COL}} [[Cali|Cali, Colombia]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|ESP}} [[Ceuta|Ceuta, Spain]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|BOL}} [[Cochabamba|Cochabamba, Bolivia]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|ARG}} [[Córdoba, Argentina]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|BOL}} [[Coroico|Coroico, Bolivia]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|VEN}} [[Cumaná, Venezuela]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|BRA}} [[Curitiba|Curitiba, Brazil]]<ref>[http://pt.wikisource.org/wiki/Lei_Municipal_de_Curitiba_7438_de_1990 Lei Municipal de Curitiba 7438 de 1990] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508152845/http://pt.wikisource.org/wiki/Lei_Municipal_de_Curitiba_7438_de_1990 |date=8 May 2013 }} WikiSource {{in lang|pt}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|SADR}} [[El Aaiun]], [[Western Sahara]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|ECU}} [[Esmeraldas, Ecuador]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|ARG}} [[Hurlingham, Buenos Aires|Hurlingham, Argentina]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|ARG}} [[La Plata, Argentina]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|VEN}} [[Libertador Bolivarian Municipality|Libertador, Venezuela]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|POR}} [[Lisbon|Lisbon, Portugal]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sítio da Câmara Municipal de Lisboa: Relações Internacionais |url=http://www.cm-lisboa.pt/municipio/relacoes-internacionais |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031202617/http://www.cm-lisboa.pt/municipio/relacoes-internacionais |archive-date=31 October 2013}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|ARG}} [[Mar del Plata, Argentina]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|ITA}} [[Marsico Nuovo]], [[Basilicata]], Italy<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|ESP}} [[Melilla|Melilla, Spain]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Melilla se hermana con Montevideo |url=http://www.infomelilla.com/noticias/index.php?accion=1&id=7899 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226134115/http://www.infomelilla.com/noticias/index.php?accion=1&id=7899 |archive-date=26 December 2008 |access-date=17 November 2009 |website=Noticia de InfoMelilla |publisher=infomelilla.com |language=es}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|CAN}} [[Mississauga]], [[Ontario]], Canada<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|USA}} [[Montevideo, Minnesota]], United States< (relationship began in 1905)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://montevideomn.govoffice2.com/index.asp?SEC=3C2922D7-C051-418A-A05C-F495CFAEB7C1&pri=0 |title=Sister City- Montevideo, Uruguay - City of Montevideo, MN |format= |accessdate= |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921022001/https://montevideomn.govoffice2.com/index.asp?SEC=3C2922D7-C051-418A-A05C-F495CFAEB7C1&pri=0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Jean Hopfensperger Star |title=Two Montevideos share more than just a name |url=https://www.startribune.com/two-montevideos-share-more-than-just-a-name/124576423/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Star Tribune |date=27 June 2011 |archive-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217013411/https://www.startribune.com/two-montevideos-share-more-than-just-a-name/124576423/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|FRA}} [[Paris|Paris, France]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Intendencia Municipal de Montevideo |title=Montevideo y París firman acuerdo de hermanamiento |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/noticias/montevideo-y-paris-firman-acuerdo-de-hermanamiento |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111003043/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/noticias/montevideo-y-paris-firman-acuerdo-de-hermanamiento |archive-date=11 January 2014 |access-date=10 January 2014 }}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|HAI}} [[Port-au-Prince|Port-au-Prince, Haiti]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Qingdao|Qingdao, Shandong, China]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.people.cn/200404/16/eng20040416_140601.shtml|title=People's Daily Online – Montevideo, Chinese Qingdao become sister cities|website=en.people.cn|access-date=13 September 2021|archive-date=13 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913180038/http://en.people.cn/200404/16/eng20040416_140601.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|CAN}} [[Quebec City|Quebec City, Canada]]{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}
* {{flagdeco|ARG}} [[Rosario]], Argentina<ref name=SC/><ref name="Rosario twinnings">{{Cite web |title=Town Twinning Agreements |url=http://www.rosario.gov.ar/mr/mri/www/city-city-program/town-twinning-agreements |access-date=14 October 2014 |publisher=Municipalidad de Rosario – Buenos Aires 711 |archive-date=19 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319103223/http://www.rosario.gov.ar/mr/mri/www/city-city-program/town-twinning-agreements |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|RUS}} [[Saint Petersburg|Saint Petersburg, Russia]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Petersburg in figures > International and Interregional Ties |url=http://eng.gov.spb.ru/figures/ities |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090224073839/http://eng.gov.spb.ru/figures/ities |archive-date=24 February 2009 |access-date=30 April 2010 |publisher=Eng.gov.spb.ru}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|BOL}} [[Santa Cruz de la Sierra|Santa Cruz, Bolivia]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|BRA}} [[São Paulo|São Paulo, Brazil]]<ref name="São Paulo twinnings">{{Cite web |title=Pesquisa de Legislação Municipal – No 14471 |trans-title=Research Municipal Legislation – No 14471 |url=http://www3.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cadlem/secretarias/negocios_juridicos/cadlem/integra.asp?alt=11072007L%20144710000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018123138/http://www3.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cadlem/secretarias/negocios_juridicos/cadlem/integra.asp?alt=11072007L%20144710000 |archive-date=18 October 2011 |access-date=23 August 2013 |website=Prefeitura da Cidade de São Paulo [Municipality of the City of São Paulo] |language=pt}}</ref><ref>[http://pt.wikisource.org/wiki/Lei_Municipal_de_S%C3%A3o_Paulo_14471_de_2007 Lei Municipal de São Paulo 14471 de 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928023927/http://pt.wikisource.org/wiki/Lei_Municipal_de_S%C3%A3o_Paulo_14471_de_2007 |date=28 September 2013 }} WikiSource {{in lang|pt}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|ITA}} [[Satriano di Lucania]], [[Basilicata]], Italy<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2014 |title=Montevideo se hermanó con Satriano |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/institucional/noticias/montevideo-se-hermano-con-satriano |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708050303/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/institucional/noticias/montevideo-se-hermano-con-satriano |archive-date=8 July 2018 |access-date=7 July 2018}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Shenzhen|Shenzhen, Guangdong, China]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2008 |title=外事志--深圳市人民政府外事办公室 |script-title=zh:友好城市 |trans-title=Friendly cities |url=http://www.szfao.gov.cn/zwgk/wsz/201103/t20110322_1645217.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719025116/http://www.szfao.gov.cn/zwgk/wsz/201103/t20110322_1645217.htm |archive-date=19 July 2014 |access-date=7 August 2013 |publisher=Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office |language=zh-hans}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 January 2011 |title=友城概要--深圳市人民政府外事办公室 |script-title=zh:国际友好城市一览表 |trans-title=International Friendship Cities List |url=http://www.szfao.gov.cn/ygwl/yxyc/ycgy/201101/t20110120_1631663.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113092638/http://www.szfao.gov.cn/ygwl/yxyc/ycgy/201101/t20110120_1631663.htm |archive-date=13 November 2013 |access-date=7 August 2013 |publisher=Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office |language=zh-hans}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 September 2011 |title=友好交流--深圳市人民政府外事办公室 |script-title=zh:友好交流 |trans-title=Friendly exchanges |url=http://www.szfao.gov.cn/ygwl/yxyc/yhjl/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112101846/http://www.szfao.gov.cn/ygwl/yxyc/yhjl/ |archive-date=12 November 2014 |access-date=7 August 2013 |publisher=Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office |language=zh-hans}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|CRC}} [[Talamanca (canton)|Talamanca, Costa Rica]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|PER}} [[Tambo de Mora District|Tambo de Mora, Peru]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Tianjin|Tianjin, China]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://spanish.peopledaily.com.cn/200104/11/sp20010411_46532.html|title=El alcalde de Montevideo regala la "llave de la ciudad" al Presidente Jiang Zemin|website=spanish.peopledaily.com.cn|access-date=24 July 2013|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308062759/http://spanish.peopledaily.com.cn/200104/11/sp20010411_46532.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|ITA}} [[Tito, Basilicata]], Italy<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|COL}} [[Tumaco|Tumaco, Colombia]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|KOR}} [[Ulsan|Ulsan, South Korea]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hermanamiento con Ulsan {{!}} Intendencia de Montevideo |url=http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/noticias/hermanamiento-con-ulsan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029212033/http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/noticias/hermanamiento-con-ulsan |archive-date=29 October 2013 |access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|POL}} [[Wrocław|Wrocław, Poland]]<ref name=SC/>
* {{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Wuhu|Wuhu, Anhui, China]]<ref name=SC/>
{{div col end}}

Montevideo is part of the [[Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 October 1982 |title=Declaración de Hermanamiento múltiple y solidario de todas las Capitales de Iberoamérica (12-10-82) |url=http://www.munimadrid.es/UnidadWeb/Contenidos/EspecialInformativo/RelacInternac/RRII/HermanamientosyAcuerdos/Files/hermanamiento_UCCI.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510114810/http://www.munimadrid.es/UnidadWeb/Contenidos/EspecialInformativo/RelacInternac/RRII/HermanamientosyAcuerdos/Files/hermanamiento_UCCI.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2013 |access-date=12 March 2015}}</ref> since 12 October 1982.

== Notable people ==
* [[Barbara Mori]]
* [[María Eugenia Roselló]]
* [[Giovanna Yun]]

== See also ==
{{Portal bar|Uruguay}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
{{See also|Timeline of Montevideo#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Montevideo}}
* Albes, Edward. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=L4bUAAAAMAAJ Montevideo, the city of roses]'' (US Government Printing Office, 1922).
* {{Cite book |last=Finzer |first=R David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z9Up1rOz8mQC&pg=PA98 |title=The Southron's Guide to Living in Uruguay |publisher=The Southron |isbn=982-9801-31-4}}

== External links ==
{{Commons and category|Montevideo}}
{{Wikivoyage|Montevideo}}
{{Collier's poster}}
* [http://www.montevideo.gub.uy/ Montevideo official website] {{in lang|es}}
* {{OSM relation|2929054}}

{{List of South American capitals}}
{{Capital cities of Mercosur member states}}
{{Montevideo Department}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Montevideo| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in South America]]
[[Category:Cities in Uruguay]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Montevideo Department]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Uruguay]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1726]]
[[Category:1726 establishments in the Viceroyalty of Peru]]
[[Category:1726 establishments in Uruguay]]
[[Category:Río de la Plata]]