Soriano (Spanish pronunciation: [soˈɾjano]) is a department of Uruguay. Its capital is Mercedes. It is located on the west of the country, south of Río Negro Department, north of Colonia Department and west of Flores Department. Its western border is the Río Uruguay, separating it from Argentina.

Soriano Department
Flag of Soriano Department
Coat of arms of Soriano Department
Soriano Department is located in Uruguay
Soriano Department
Location of Soriano Department and its capital
Coordinates (Mercedes): 33°15′S 58°2′W / 33.250°S 58.033°W / -33.250; -58.033
Country Uruguay
Established1816
Capital of DepartmentMercedes
Government
 • IntendantGuillermo Besozzi
 • Ruling partyPartido Nacional
Area
 • Total
9,008 km2 (3,478 sq mi)
Population
 (2011 census)
 • Total
82,594
 • Density9.2/km2 (24/sq mi)
DemonymSorianense
Time zoneUTC-3 (UYT)
ISO 3166 codeUY-SO
Websitesoriano.gub.uy

History

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In 1624, a Franciscan Mission established a reduction for the indigenous tribes of the area named Santo Domingo Soriano. In spite of interruptions in its existence, it is considered the earliest populated centre of the actual Uruguay. Eventually, in its place Villa Soriano was founded.[citation needed]

The first division of Uruguay in departments happened on 27 January 1816. At the time, eight departments were formed, with Soriano being one of them. When the first constitution was signed in 1830, Soriano Department was one of the nine original departments of the Republic.[citation needed]

Demographics

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Ethnic groups in Soriano (2011 est.)[1]
Ethnic groups Percent
White
94.1%
Black
3.2%
Indigenous
4.0%
Asian
0.3%
None/Other/Unspecified
2.1%

As of the census of 2011, Soriano Department had a population of 82,592 (40.853 male and 41.742 female) and 32,075 households.[2]

Demographic data for Soriano Department in 2010:

  • Population growth rate: 0.558%
  • Birth rate: 16.60 births/1,000 people
  • Death rate: 9.41 deaths/1,000 people
  • Average age: 31.7 (30.8 male, 32.6 female)
  • Life expectancy at birth:
    • Total population: 76.32 years
    • Male: 73.47 years
    • Female: 79.26 years
  • Average per household income: 25,198 pesos/month
  • Urban per capita income: 9,648 pesos/month

2010 Data Source:[3]

Main Urban Centres Other towns and villages
Population stated as per 2011 census.[4]
City / Town Population
Mercedes 41,974
Dolores 17,174
Cardona 4,600
Palmitas 2,123
José Enrique Rodó 2,120
Chacras de Dolores 1,961
Villa Soriano 1,124
Town / Village Population
Santa Catalina 998
Egaña 783
Risso 557
Villa Darwin (Sacachispas) 456
Cañada Nieto 430
Agraciada 394
Palmar 381
Rural population
According to the 2011 census, Soriano department has a rural population of 6,612.[2]

Map of the department

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Topographic map of Soriano Department showing main populated places and roads

Noted locality

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Población por sexo y ascendencia étnico racial, según departamento" (in Spanish). National Institute of Statistics. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Censos 2011 Soriano (needs flash plugin)". INE. 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Uruguay en cifras" (PDF) (in Spanish). INE. 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  4. ^ "Censos 2011 Cuadros Soriano". INE. 2012. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
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33°31′0″S 57°45′0″W / 33.51667°S 57.75000°W / -33.51667; -57.75000