San José de Mayo (Spanish pronunciation: [saŋ xoˈse ðe ˈmaʝo]) is the capital city of the San José Department in southern Uruguay.
San José de Mayo | |
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Capital city | |
From top, left to right: view of the Cathedral, the Macció Theater, the City Hall, monument of José Artigas in the Independence Square, the Treinta y Tres Orientales Square and the station. | |
![]() ![]() San José de Mayo Location in Uruguay | |
Coordinates: 34°20′0″S 56°43′0″W | |
Country | ![]() |
Department | San José Department |
Founded | 1783 |
Population (2011 Census) | |
• Total | 36,743 |
• Demonym | maragato-a |
Time zone | UTC -3 |
Postal code | 80000 |
Dial plan | +598 434 (+5 digits) |
Climate | Cfa |
The city is located at the centre of the state, on the intersection of Route 3 with Route 11, 90 kilometres (56 mi) from the centre of Montevideo. The railroad track connecting Montevideo with Colonia and with the northwest of the country passes through the city. The river Río San José flows along the northeastern and eastern limits of the city.
San José de Mayo was founded on 1 July 1783. It had acquired "Villa" (town) status before the Independence of Uruguay, which was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) on 12 July 1856 by the Act of Ley Nº 495.[1] During the 19th century it became a commercial and cultural centre, known as "Montevideo chico" ("little Montevideo"). The theatre "Teatro Macció" was constructed at the turn of the 20th century.
In 2011 San José de Mayo had a population of 36,743.[2]
Year | Population |
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1867 | 3,224 |
1908 | 12,297 |
1963 | 27,482 |
1975 | 28,554 |
1985 | 31,825 |
1996 | 34,552 |
2004 | 36,129 |
2011 | 36,743 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[1]
Besides being the administrative capital of the department, the city is an active regional commercial and financial centre. Its economy is linked mainly to cattle ranching, and it is an agro-industrial centre for dairy products, packing houses, mills, and chemicals.
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Capital: San José de Mayo | ||
Towns and villages |
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Sights | ||
* parts of Ciudad del Plata as of 2006 |
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