Trinidad (Spanish pronunciation: [tɾiniˈðað]) is the capital city of Flores in southern Uruguay. It has a population of 21,429 (National Census 2011). Formerly it was called Santísima Trinidad de los Porongos, or simply Porongos. Its inhabitants are known as trinitarios or also as porongueros because the city is located near the Porongos stream.
Trinidad | |
|---|---|
Capital city | |
 Plaza Constitución in Trinidad | |
  Trinidad Location in Uruguay | |
| Coordinates: 33°32′0″S 56°53′0″W / 33.53333°S 56.88333°W | |
| Country |  Uruguay |
| Department |  Flores |
| Founded | April 14, 1804 |
| Founded by | Fray Manuel de Ubeda |
| Elevation | 134 m (440 ft) |
| Population (2011 Census) | |
• Total | 21,429 |
| Time zone | UTC -3 |
| Postal code | 85000 |
| Dial plan | +598 4364 (+4 digits) |
| Climate | Cfa |
Geography
editTrinidad is located in the central area of Flores department, on Cuchilla Porongos, between the Sarandí and Porongos streams and on the intersection of Route 3 with Route 14.
The stream Arroyo Sarandí, flows 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) west of the city, while the stream Arroyo Porongos flows 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) east of the city, both tributaries of the river Río Yí.
Trinidad occupies an area of 5.5 square kilometres (2.1 sq mi) on an altitude of 134 metres (440 ft) above sea level.
History
editInitially it was called "Porongos". Even to this day, the inhabitants of the city are referred to as either 'trinitarios' or 'porongueros'.[citation needed]
Porongos was founded on 18 July 1805 by General José Gervasio Artigas, the Uruguayan independence leader. It had acquired the status of "Pueblo" (village) before the Independence of Uruguay. It reached the status of "Villa" (town) under the name "Villa de Porongos". It was renamed to "Villa de la Santísima Trinidad" (Most Holy Trinity) and became capital of the newly created Department of Flores on 30 December 1885 by the Act of Ley Nº 1.854.[1] Its naming reflects a less secular period in the country's history.
In July 1903 it was renamed "Trinidad" and its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley Nº 2.829.[1]
Population
editIn 2011, Trinidad had a population of 21,429.[2] This makes Trinidad the largest city by far in the department of Flores.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1908 | 8,317 |
| 1963 | 15,455 |
| 1975 | 17,597 |
| 1985 | 18,372 |
| 1996 | 20,031 |
| 2004 | 20,982 |
| 2011 | 21,429 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[1]
Tourism
editA nature reserve with a variety of flora and fauna is situated 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) west of the city, on Route 3.[citation needed]
Nearby there are interesting prehistoric sites to visit: the Palace Cave and the rock paintings at Chamangá.[citation needed]
Places of worship
edit- Most Holy Trinity Parish Church (Roman Catholic)
- Our Lady of Luján Parish Church (Roman Catholic)
Politics
editFollowing a sizeable meeting in Trinidad in 2007, the 'Vamos Uruguay' grouping within the Colorado Party was founded by Pedro Bordaberry Herrán, the front-running presidential candidate of the Colorados for 2009. Following these beginnings in Trinidad, local chapters of the organization were subsequently established in many departments of Uruguay.[citation needed]
Notable people
edit- Chory Castro (born 1984), football player
- Noelia Etcheverry (born 1986), television presenter
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Statistics of urban localities (1908–2004) (see also "Porongos" and "Santísima Trinidad")" (PDF). INE. 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
- ^ "Censos 2011 Cuadros Flores". INE. 2012. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
External links
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