La Paz, Canelones facts for kids
La Paz is a small city located in the southern part of Uruguay, within the Canelones Department. It's also the name of the local government area, or municipality, that the city is part of.
Quick facts for kids
La Paz
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City & Municipality
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 La Paz, Canelones
Location in Uruguay
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| Country |  Uruguay |
| Department |  Canelones |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Elevation | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Population
(2011 Census)
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| • Total | 20,524 |
| Time zone | UTC -3 |
| Postal code |
90100
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| Dial plan | +598 2 (+7 digits) |
Contents
Where is La Paz?
La Paz is found about 2.5 kilometers (about 1.5 miles) east of Route 5. It sits right on the edge of the Montevideo Department. This means it's part of the larger area around Montevideo, which is Uruguay's capital city.
A Look at La Paz's History
Spanish settlers first came to this area in 1758. They were given land to build homes and farms. The railroad reached La Paz in 1868, helping the area grow.
The village of La Paz was officially started on February 28, 1872. Its name was chosen to honor the "Revolution of the Lances" (1870–1872), a period of peace after a conflict. Back then, it was a popular place for middle-class people to visit for holidays.
In 1917, the only Jewish cemetery in Uruguay was built here.
Over the years, La Paz grew bigger.
- On May 15, 1925, it became known as a "Villa" (town).
- Then, on December 19, 1957, it was officially named a "Ciudad" (city).
The area was well-known for its vineyards and wine-making. It also had factories that processed farm products. There were also quarries that dug up marble and granite. These materials were used to build cities like Montevideo and Buenos Aires in Argentina. Many Italian immigrants came to La Paz to work in these quarries. Today, granite mining is still an important activity. The city is also known for its meat industry.
How Many People Live in La Paz?
According to a count done in 2011, La Paz has a population of 20,524 people. In 2010, the local government of Canelones estimated that about 23,500 people lived in the municipality during elections.
Here's how the population of La Paz has changed over the years:
| Year | Population |
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| 1908 | 2,505 |
| 1963 | 13,226 |
| 1975 | 14,653 |
| 1985 | 16,209 |
| 1996 | 19,547 |
| 2004 | 19,832 |
| 2011 | 20,524 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay (National Institute of Statistics of Uruguay)
Places to Worship
- Nuestra Señora de La Paz, La Paz Church (This is a Roman Catholic church.)
See also
In Spanish: La Paz (Canelones) para niños
