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Montevideo
Plaza IndependenciaThe nation's cultural and economic nerve center,
as well as home to 2 out of 5 Uruguayans, Montevideo is home to a
rich and diverse architectural and cultural heritage. Its Old City
and remains of the colonial-era citadel are within steps of Plaza
Independencia, the President's offices at the Estévez Palace, Solís
Theatre and the opulent, Italian Gothic Palacio Salvo. The plaza is
at the western end of the 18th of July Avenue, the setting for a
variety of art deco and belle époque architecture as it passes
through Cagancha and Fabini Plazas. Fabini Plaza also leads to the
diagonal Libertador Avenue, known for its upscale highrises,
rationalist architecture and, at its northern end, the General
Assembly of Uruguay.
Plaza Independencia is also a short walk from the Montevideo
Esplanade. The Esplanade (Rambla) is one of the city's numerous
waterfront districts, which also include Ramírez Beach (home to the
Mercosur Common Market headquarters), Pocitos, and a row of similar
communities. Work is currently advancing on a new terminal at
Carrasco International Airport, contributing to Montevideo's
standing as the major city with the highest quality of life in Latin
America.
Colonia del Sacramento
Agricultural lands and desolate shores to the west of the capital
along the Río de la Plata lead to Colonia del Sacramento. Founded by
the Portuguese Empire in 1680, it remained a point of contention
between the Portuguese and Spanish enclave and today, it preserves
much of the architecture and cobblestone pavers from the era; the
town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Little
changed from its days as a Portuguese outpost, Colonia is now a
World Heritage Site
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