:''This article is about the capital of Uruguay. There is also Montevideo,_Minnesota, in the United States of America.''
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Image:MontevideoIndependencePlaza1900.jpg
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'''Montevideo''' is Uruguay's capital, chief port, and by far its largest city. It is therefore considered a Primate_city.
==Location/climate==
Montevideo is situated in the South of the country, at the northern mouth of the very wide Plata River (''Río de la Plata'') estuary. The geographic coordinates are 34.5° S, 56°W.
The climate is mild, with average temperatures of approximately 13 °C.
''18 de Julio'', the city's main avenue and one of the finest of South_America, extends from the Plaza_Independencia, which is the junction between the ''Ciudad Vieja'' (the historical quarter) and the rest of the city, to the neighbourhood of ''Cordón''.
==History==
The Portuguese founded Colonia_del_Sacramento in the 17th_century despite Spanish claims to the area due to the Treaty_of_Tordesillas. The Spanish chased the Portuguese out of a fort in the area in 1724. Then, Bruno_Mauricio_de_Zabala - Governor of Buenos Aires - founded the city on December_24, 1726 to prevent further incursions.
In 1828, the town became the capital of Uruguay. There are at least two explanations for the name ''Montevideo'': The first states that it comes from the Portuguese "Monte vide eu" which means "I see a mountain". The second is that the Spaniards recorded the location of a fountain in a map as "Monte VI De Este a Oeste" meaning "The sixth mountain from east to west". The city's full original name is '''San Felipe y Santiago de Montevideo'''.
The city fell under heavy British influence from the early 19th_century until the early 20th_century as a way to circumvent Argentine and Brazilian commercial control. It was repeatedly besieged by Argentinian dictator Juan_Manuel_de_Rosas between 1838 and 1851. Between 1860 and 1911, the British built an extensive Railroad network linking the city to the surrounding countryside.
During World_War_II, a famous incident involving the German Pocket_battleship Admiral_Graf_Spee took place in Montevideo, which was a neutral port during the war. After the Battle_of_the_River_Plate with the British navy on December 13, 1939, the Graf Spee retreated to the port. To avoid risking the crew in what he thought would be a losing battle, Captain Hans_Langsdorff scuttled the ship on December 17th. Langsdorff committed suicide two days later.
==Growth/economy==
Montevideo began as a minor settlement. In 1860, Montevideo had a population of 37,787. By 1884, the population had grown to 104,472, including many immigrants. By this time, trade had become the main source of revenue for the city and it became a rival to Buenos_Aires. During the early 20th century, many Europeans, mostly from Spain and Italy, immigrated to the city, and by 1908, 30% of the population was foreign born.
During the mid-20th century, Military_dictatorship and Economic_stagnation caused a decline whose residual effects are still seen today. Many rural poor flooded the city, with a large concentration in Ciudad Vieja.
Recently, economic recovery and stronger trade ties with Uruguay's neighbors have led to renewed agricultural development and hopes for greater future prosperity.
As of 2004, the city has a population of 1.35 million out of a total 3.43 million in Uruguay http://aol.countrywatch.com/aol_country.asp?vcountry=183. The greater Metropolitan_area has 1.8 million people.
Montevideo is served by Carrasco_International_Airport.
==External links==
*Montevideo official website
*Panoramic pictures of Montevideo
*Montevideo Hotels Vacations & Tourism, online reservations
* Reserve of hotels in Uruguay
*Houses in Montevideo made by BELLO y REBORATI constructors between 1920 and 1940
{{Departments of Uruguay}}
Category:Montevideo
Category:Capitals_in_South_America
Category:Coastal_cities
Ar:مونتيفيديو
Bg:Монтевидео
Ca:Montevideo
Cs:Montevideo
Da:Montevideo
De:Montevideo
Es:Montevideo
Eo:Montevideo
Fr:Montevideo
Gl:Montevideo
He:מונטווידיאו
Id:Montevideo
Io:Montevideo
It:Montevideo
Ko:몬테비데오
Nl:Montevideo_(Uruguay)
Ja:モンテビデオ
Nn:Montevideo
No:Montevideo
Pl:Montevideo
Pt:Montevidéu
Ro:Montevideo
Ru:Монтевидео
Scn:Muntividèu
Sk:Montevideo
Fi:Montevideo
Sv:Montevideo
Tr:Montevideo
Zh:蒙得维的亚