Paysandú, Uruguay

🇺🇾 Paysandú is the capital of Paysandú Department in western Uruguay.

History It was founded in October 1756 and had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the independence of Uruguay. On 8 June 1863, its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley Nº 780.

General Leandro Gomez led Uruguayan forces to save the town from an invasion by Brazilian forces in 1864–1865. A battle took place on 2 December 1864.

Population In 2011 Paysandú had a population of 76,412. It is the fourth largest city in Uruguay, after Montevideo, Salto and Ciudad de la Costa.

Paysandú is more cosmopolitan than most Uruguayan cities, with many settlers from Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Belgium and various African nations.

Geography The city is located on the banks of the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina. It lies 378 km (235 mi) north-west of Montevideo via Route 1 and Route 3, on the junction of the latter with Route 90. As of the census of 2011 it was the fourth-most populated city of the country.

A small distance north of the city is the General Artigas Bridge that links Uruguay with the Entre Ríos Province of Argentina, south of the city Colón.

Economy The main industries in the city are Norteña brewery, Azucarlito (sugar), Paylana (which is a producer of world-class woolen fabrics), and Paycuero (leather). Paysandú is also the centre of plantation forest industry in Uruguay, with many companies involved in the planting and harvesting of Eucalyptus plantations.

Transport The city is served by Tydeo Larre Borges International Airport.

Recreation Paysandú has some fine recreational beaches on the Uruguay River which have lifeguards during the summer. It is also home to many sporting clubs, including a rowing club, yacht club, and numerous others for football, rugby, hockey, tennis and polo.

Education Previously the area had a German school, Deutsche Schule Paysandú.

Also the city has a Center of the University of the Republic (Centro Universitario de Paysandú).

Places of worship • Parish Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Benedict of Palermo (Roman Catholic) • St. Raymond and St. John Bosco Parish Church (Roman Catholic, Salesians of Don Bosco) • Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church (Roman Catholic) • St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church (Roman Catholic).