Editing Montevideo (section)

== 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]]
# [[Mercado Modelo (Montevideo)|Mercado Modelo]] – [[Bolívar, Montevideo|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 {{interlanguage link|Luis García Pardo|es}} 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 upper and upper middle-class residents.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}

==== 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=dead }}</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.
{{Clear}}

==== 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 ===

In 1860, Montevideo had 57,913 inhabitants including a number of people of [[Afro-Uruguayan|African origin]] who had been brought as slaves and had gained their freedom around the middle of the century. By 1880, the population had quadrupled, mainly because of the great European immigration. 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> In the course of the 20th century the city continued to receive large numbers of European immigrants, especially Spanish and [[Italian settlement in Uruguay|Italian]], followed by Portuguese Brazilians, [[French Uruguayan|French]], Germans, English, Irish, Swiss, Austrians, Poles, Dutch, [[Greeks in Uruguay|Greek]], Hungarians, Russians, Croats, [[Lebanese Uruguayan|Lebanese]], [[Armenians in Uruguay|Armenians]], and Jews of various origins.<ref name="rincondelvago">{{Cite web |title=Emigración en Uruguay |date=23 November 2004 |url=http://html.rincondelvago.com/emigracion-en-uruguay.html |access-date=25 November 2010 |publisher=El Rincón del Vago |archive-date=9 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209142548/http://html.rincondelvago.com/emigracion-en-uruguay.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The last wave of immigrants occurred between 1945 and 1955.<ref name="tacuycom" />

According to the census survey carried out between 15 June and 31 July 2004, Montevideo had a population of 1,325,968 persons, compared to Uruguay's total population of 3,241,003. The female population was 707,697 (53.4%) while the male population accounted for 618,271 (46.6%). The population had declined since the previous census carried out in 1996, with an average annual growth rate of −1.5 per thousand. The continual decline has been documented since the census period of 1975–1985, which showed a rate of −5.6 per thousand. The decrease is due in large part to lowered fertility, partly offset by mortality, and to a smaller degree in migration. The birth rate declined by 19% from 1996 (17 per thousand) to 2004 (13.8 per thousand). Similarly, the total fertility rate (TFR) declined from 2.24 in 1996 to 1.79 in 2004. However, mortality continued to fall with [[life expectancy at birth]] for both sexes increasing by 1.73 years.<ref name="census2004pdf">{{Cite web |title=Census Phase I, 2004 |url=http://www.ine.gub.uy/fase1new/montevideo/montevideo_pres.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.ine.gub.uy/fase1new/montevideo/montevideo_pres.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=Government of Uruguay |pages=4, 11, 13, 17, 22, 23}}</ref>

In the census of 2011, Montevideo had a population of 1,319,108.<ref name=INEpop/>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 1860 || 1884 || 1908 || 1963 || 1975 || 1985 || 1996 || 2004 || 2011
|- style="text-align:right;"
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;58,000&nbsp;&nbsp;|| &nbsp;&nbsp;164,028&nbsp;&nbsp;|| &nbsp;&nbsp;309,331<ref name="Javier Meneses Silva" />&nbsp;&nbsp;|| 1,202,890 || 1,176,049 || 1,251,511 || 1,303,182 || 1,269,552 || 1,319,108
|}
Source: ''Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay''<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 |access-date=7 September 2012 |publisher=INE |archive-date=13 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113143716/http://www.ine.gub.uy/biblioteca/toponimico/Categorizaci%F3n%20localidades%20urbanas%20orden%20alfab%E9tico.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>