Canelones () is the capital of the department of Canelones in Uruguay. Its name is derived from a species of cinnamon, which is called "canelón", growing along the banks of the homonymous river. Since 2010, the city is also the seat of the municipality of Canelones.

Geography

The city is located on Route 5 about North of Montevideo and on its intersection with Route 64. It lies on the west bank of the river Arroyo Canelón Chico.

History

It was founded on 24 April 1783 under the name "Villa Guadalupe". It became capital of one of the nine earlier Departments of the Republic. The railroad arrived here in 1874, while in 1908 National Route 5 from Montevideo was inaugurated. On 23 March 1916, it was renamed to "Canelones" and its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley Nº 5.400. In 2010, the Intendencia de Canelones had recorded a population of 25,961 for the municipality during the elections.

Economic activity

The city and the department have numerous small to large vineyards and wineries. In 1987 the cold-storage facility "Frigorífico Canelones" was founded, which ever since became the principal industry of the city.

Places of worship

  • Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Roman Catholic)

Noted local people

  • Diego Lugano, former international footballer
  • Pablo Gabriel García, former international footballer for
  • Matías Vecino, international footballer
  • Facundo Peraza (born July 27, 1992), footballer
  • Robert Siboldi, Former football player and former manager of Santos Laguna
  • Sebastián Rodríguez (born 1992), footballer

Sister Cities

  • Asunción, Paraguay
  • Loudoun County, United States

See also

  • Canelones Department#Main Urban Centres

References

  • INE map of Canelones, Paso Espinosa and Paso Palomeque