Florida (Uruguay)
Florida on the map of Uruguay
Florida ( as Villa de San Fernando de la Florida founded in 1809 ) is a city in Uruguay.
Location
The capital of the department of the same name is located south of Uruguay on the Rio Santa Lucía Chico, 98 km north of Montevideo.
Population
It has 33,640 inhabitants (as of 2011), of which 15,998 male and 17,642 female.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
History
The foundation of the city of Florida is very closely connected with the history of the whole country. The city was founded on April 24, 1809. Later it grew in importance, as in 1811 with the first signs of revolution money collection points were set up to support Artigas and his followers, which resulted in the independence of the country later. Through the development of Florida, it was necessary to overcome the river Santa Lucía Chico and to build a bridge to get to the south. Later a better bridge was built in Piedra Alta.
On April 19, 1894 Florida was given the status of " Ciudad " (city).
Since 1955, the city is the seat of the Diocese of Florida. 1988 visited the city of Pope John Paul II.
Culture
La "Fiesta de San Cono " is the most important religious festival in Uruguay. It always takes place around June 3rd and attracts people from all over the province. Visitors travel on buses and trains, which are specially used for the occasion.
Traffic
Through the city's National Route 5 leads Furthermore is Florida on a railway line that runs from Montevideo to Rivera ( line LR), from here but now serves only freight.
Sons and daughters of the town
- Duvimioso Terra (1856-1930), politician
- Mauricio Rosencof ( born 1933), writer and playwright
- Walter Gassire ( b. 1946 ), football player ( goalkeeper)
- Atilio Ancheta ( b. 1948 ), football player
- Gerardo Pelusso (born 1954 ), football coach and former player
- José Varela (* 1988), football player
- Sebastián Viera ( b. 1983 ), football player