Castillos

Castillos is a small city in the Rocha Department of southeastern Uruguay.

For other uses, see Castillos (disambiguation).
See also: Los Castillos (disambiguation)
Castillos
City
Castillos
Location in Uruguay
Coordinates: 34°11′56″S 53°51′27″W
Country Uruguay
Department Rocha
Founded1866
Founded byHermogenes Lopez Formoso
Elevation
44 m (144 ft)
Population
 (2011 Census)
 • Total7,541
Time zoneUTC -3
Postal code
27200
Dial plan+598 4475 (+4 digits)
ClimateCfa
Castillos

Location

The city is located on the junction of Route 9 with Route 16, about 56 kilometres (35 mi) northeast of the city of Rocha. Other settlements in the area include Barrio Torres, about one kilometre southeast of Castillo, La Esmeralda, several kilometres to the northeast and Aguas Dulces several kilometres to the southeast along the Route 16.

Geography

Castillo is located in the eastern part of the department of Rocha. The land is low lying, located not far from the coast, with an average altitude of 44 metres. Laguna de Castillos is located to the southwest of the city, while north of it is the Cerro de los Rocha.

History

It was founded on 19 April 1866 under the name "San Vicente de Castillos", derived from the chapel San Vicente Mártir de Castillos. On 3 May 1909, its status was elevated to "Villa" (town) by decree Ley N° 3.453,[1] and on 3 November 1952, to "Ciudad" (city) by decree Ley N° 11.875.[2]

Population

In 2011 Castillos had a population of 7,541.[3]

YearPopulation
19083,896
19635,947
19757,260
19856,836
19967,346
20047,649
20117,541

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[1]

Landmarks

The main plaza of the town is called Plaza Artigas and there is a cemetery in the southeast of town near the junction of Routes 9 and 16. Most of the streets are named after prominent dates in Uruguayan history and heroic figures, e.g. 25 de Mayo and General Rivera.

Government

As of 2011, the local mayor is Raúl Servetto.[4]

Places of worship
  • Parish Church of Mary Help of Christians and St. Vincent Martyr (Roman Catholic)

Notable people
  • Irineu Riet Correa, politician
  • Nelson "Pindingo" Pereyra, musician
  • Jesús Perdomo, historian
  • Juan Angel Gonzalez Calleros, mechanic and father

References
  1. "Statistics of urban localities (1908–2004) (see also "San Vicente de Castillos")" (PDF). INE. 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  2. "LEY N° 11.875". República Oriental del Uruguay, Poder Legislativo. 1952. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  3. "Censos 2011 Cuadros Rocha". INE. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-23. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  4. "Inicio / MUNICIPIOS DE URUGUAY". Congreso de Intendes. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
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