Mercedes () is the capital and largest city of the
department of
Soriano in
Uruguay
Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of 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 the Río de la Plata to the south and the A ...
. According to the census 2011, it is the tenth most populated city of the country.
Mercedes is an important centre of tourism, commerce and a commercial port. Its main industries are based on agriculture, dairy products, paper manufacturing and industrial activities. Its ''
rambla'' (riverside promenade) is one of the widest in the country.
History
Mercedes was founded in 1788 by the priest Manuel Antonio de Castro y Careaga with the name of ''Capilla Nueva de las Mercedes''. It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay. On 6 July 1857, its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) and it was designated as capital of Soriano, one of the nine original departments of the Republic at the time, by the Act of Law Nº 531. Previously, the capital of the department was
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.
Geography
It is located on the northwest e ...
.
Population
In 2023, it had a population of about 43,543
Geography
The city is located on the junction of Route 2 with Route 14, and is situated on the south bank of the Río Negro. Also Route 21 from Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento (; ) is a city in southwestern Uruguay, by the Río de la Plata, facing Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is one of the oldest towns in Uruguay and the capital of the Colonia Department. As of the 2023 census, it has a populatio ...
of Colonia Department
Colonia () is a department of southwestern Uruguay. Its capital is Colonia del Sacramento, the country's second-oldest city.
Geography Climate
Colonia has an annual average temperature of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F). In winter it has an averag ...
terminates in this city.
Climate
Places of worship
* Cathedral of Our Lady of Mercy (Roman Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
)
* Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church (Roman Catholic)
* St. John the Baptist Parish Church (Roman Catholic, Sisters of the Divine Savior)
* St. Pius X Parish Church (Roman Catholic)
Sports
Mercedes was one of the host cities of the official 1967 Basketball World Cup
The 1967 FIBA World Championship was the 5th FIBA World Championship, the international basketball world championship for men's national teams. It was hosted by Montevideo, Uruguay from 27 May to 11 June 1967.
Venues
Competing nations
Competi ...
.
Notable people
* Ricardo Paseyro (1925–2009), diplomat and poet
References
External links
INE map of Mercedes
{{Authority control
Populated places in the Soriano Department
Populated places established in 1788
1788 establishments in the Spanish Empire