Vizcaíno Island () is an island in

Uruguay Uruguay (; ), officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay ( es, República Oriental del Uruguay), is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast; while bordering ...

located on the Negro River estuary, at its confluence with

Uruguay River The Uruguay River ( es, Río Uruguay, ; pt, Rio Uruguai, ) is a major river in South America. It flows from north to south and forms parts of the boundaries of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, separating some of the Argentine provinces of La M ...

. It is bordered by the

Negro river Río Negro (Spanish and Portuguese, 'Black River') may refer to: Rivers Brazil * Rio Negro (Amazon), tributary of the Amazon River * Rio Negro (Mato Grosso do Sul) * Rio Negro (Paraná) * Rio Negro (Rio de Janeiro) * Rio Negro (Rondônia) * ...

to the South, Vizcaíno creek to the east, Uruguay river to the North and Yaguarí creek on the West. Yaguarí creek is a narrow deep channel between Vizcaíno island and

Lobos Island Lobos ( es, Isla de Lobos, ) is a small island of the Canary Islands (Spain) located just north of the island of Fuerteventura. It belongs to the municipality of La Oliva on the island of Fuerteventura. It has an area of . It has been a nature ...

, and is the main river mouth of the Negro river.

History

The first European settlement on the island came when Jesuits founded the mission of

Santo Domingo de Soriano Villa Soriano is a town in the Soriano Department of Uruguay. Historically, it was also known as Santo Domingo de Soriano. It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay. Location It is located on the northwest en ...

on Isla Vizcaino in 1624, though the mission later relocated to the mainland.

Economy and population

The population began significantly increasing when Pedro Millán began businesses on the island and transferred supplies from other towns. However, the population left the island to escape floods, and they migrated to what is now known as

Villa Soriano Villa Soriano is a town in the Soriano Department of Uruguay. Historically, it was also known as Santo Domingo de Soriano. It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay. Location It is located on the northwest en ...

. They also migrated in order to escape the attacks by hostile indigenous people.

Indigenous residents

Many native islanders were very protective over their area and were hostile to other people living on the island. Archaeologists have found evidence that the native indigenous population has significantly decreased in the small village of San Miguel del Río Negro.

Access

The closest settlements to the area are Baradero, and Ibucuy port, both in

Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...

References

River islands of Uruguay Islands of the Uruguay River Landforms of Río Negro Department {{coord, -33.360, -58.382, type:isle_region:UY, display=title