Florida is the capital of Florida Department of Uruguay. Having a population of over 33,000, it is home to almost half of the inhabitants of the department.

Geography

It is located on Route 5, around 90 km north of Montevideo. The stream Arroyo Santa Lucía Chico flows along the east and south limits of the city.

Climate

On 14 January 2022, Florida recorded a temperature of 44.0 C, which is the joint highest temperature (along with Paysandú) to have ever been recorded in Uruguay.

History

The city was founded on 24 April 1809 with this name, Florida, in honor of the count of Floridablanca, the prime minister of the Spanish crown. It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay. On 10 July 1856, it became capital city of the department by the Act of Ley Nº 493 and on 19 April 1894 its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley Nº 2.258. It is home of the famous Piedra Alta de la Florida, the place of the Declaration of Independence in 1825. The city is also famous for San Cono's chapel, where multitudes gather every 3 June. An important building is the Cathedral of Florida, which is the National Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Thirty-Three.

Population

In 2020, Florida had a population of 99,564. Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay

Economic activity and noted events

Sister city

Florida has one sister city:

Places of worship