Minas, Uruguay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Minas
Capital city
Plaza Rivera
Minas, Uruguay Location in Uruguay
Country	Uruguay
Department	Lavalleja
Founded	1783
Area
• Total	8.2 km2 (3.2 sq mi)
Elevation	140 m (460 ft)
Population  (2011 Census)
• Total	38,446
• Density	4,745/km2 (12,290/sq mi)
• Demonym	minuano
Time zone	UTC -3
Postal code	30000
Dial plan	+598 444 (+5 digits)
Climate	Cfa

Minas is an important city in Uruguay. It is the capital city of the Lavalleja Department. In 2011, it was the twelfth-largest city in the country by population.

Geography of Minas

Minas is located in the southern part of its department. It sits where two main roads meet: Route 8 and Route 12. The city is nestled between hills. Two streams, Arroyo San Francisco and Arroyo Campanero, flow nearby.

History of Minas

Founding the City

Minas was founded in 1783. Its first name was "Villa de la Concepción de las Minas." Families from Asturias and Galicia in Spain came to live here. They had tried to settle in Patagonia but it didn't work out.

The idea for a city in this area started much earlier, in 1753. Jose Joaquin de Viana, who was the governor of Montevideo, wanted to create a town. He called the area "the zones of the mines." He asked Rafael Perez Del Puerto to design the city's layout. This original design is still used today.

Minas Becomes a Capital

On October 8, 1830, Minas was officially declared a town. Later, on June 16, 1837, it became the capital of the "Department of Minas." This was made official by a special law (Ley Nº 158).

Minas was given the status of a city on May 16, 1888. This happened through another law (Ley Nº 1.980). On December 26, 1927, the department's name changed. It became the "Department of Lavalleja." Minas then became the capital of this new department by law (Ley Nº 8.187).

Population of Minas

In 2011, a census counted the population of Minas. The city itself had 38,446 people. Some nearby areas are also considered part of the Minas urban area.

These areas include:

• Blanes Viale: 104 people
• Barrio La Coronilla - Ancap: 301 people
• San Francisco de las Sierras: 58 people

When these areas are added, the total population for the Minas area is about 38,909 people.

Population Growth Over Time

Here is how the population of Minas has changed over the years:

This information comes from the National Institute of Statistics of Uruguay.

Fun Places in Minas

Parque Rodó

A national science fair in Parque de Vacaciones UTE-ANTEL.

In the northeastern part of Minas, you'll find Parque Rodó. This is the city's main public park. It used to be a zoo. The park has many cool things to do.

You can find:

• Restrooms
• A beautiful garden
• Two playgrounds for kids
• A swimming pool
• An area for picnics
• A restaurant
• A walking trail
• Parking lots
• A small farm with animals like peacocks, swans, and llamas
• Several sports fields and a small stadium

Two yearly festivals happen at the stadium. "Minas & Abril" is in April. "Semana de Lavalleja" is in October.

Cerro Artigas

At the eastern edge of Minas is Cerro Artigas. This is a hill with a park. It has a large statue of a famous Uruguayan hero. This hero is General José Artigas, who lived in the 1800s. The statue shows him riding a horse. It was made by an artist named Stelio Belloni.

Parks Around Minas

There are also fun places outside the city:

• Parque Salto del Penitente: This park is about 16 kilometers east of Minas.
• Parque Salus: This park is about 9 kilometers west-southwest of the city.
• Parque de Vacaciones UTE-ANTEL: This park is about 6 kilometers southeast. It's a vacation spot for employees of Uruguay's electricity and telecommunications companies.
• Villa Serrana: This is a pretty village in the hills. It's about 25 kilometers northeast of Minas.

Places of Worship

Minas has several churches, mostly Roman Catholic:

• Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
• St. Joseph Parish Church
• St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish Church (run by Redemptorists)
• Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church
• Our Lady of Verdun National Sanctuary: This is a popular place for pilgrimages. It sits on top of Verdún Hill.

Famous People from Minas

Many notable people were born in Minas:

• Juan Antonio Lavalleja: A leader in Uruguay's fight for independence. The department is named after him!
• Juan José Morosoli: A Uruguayan writer.
• Arturo Ardao: A Uruguayan philosopher and historian.
• Sebastián Abreu: A professional soccer player from Uruguay.
• Gustavo Trelles: A Uruguayan racing driver.
• Carlos Paravís: A folk musician.

Twin Towns

Minas has special connections with two other cities around the world:

• Coro, Venezuela
• Amiens, France

See also

In Spanish: Minas para niños