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Punta del Este
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Punta del Este is an upscale resort on the southern tip of Uruguay, southeast of Maldonado and about 140 km east of Montevideo. Although the town has a year-round population of 10,506 (2005), the summer tourist boom often boosts the population to about one million people between December and February.
The city is internationally known, among other things as one of the most important and exclusive resort of South America.
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Encyclopedia
Punta del Este is an upscale resort on the southern tip of Uruguay, southeast of Maldonado and about 140 km east of Montevideo. Although the town has a year-round population of 10,506 (2005), the summer tourist boom often boosts the population to about one million people between December and February.
The city is internationally known, among other things as one of the most important and exclusive resort of South America.
History
The first Europeans to set foot in what is now Punta del Este were the Spanish at the beginning of the 16th century. However, the colonization of the area actually began around Maldonado at the end of the 18th century due to Portuguese expansionism.
Punta del Este and its surroundings (Maldonado and Punta Ballena for example) at the end of the 19th century were kilometers of sand and dunes, but in 1896 Antonio Lussich bought 4,447 acres (1800 hectares) of uninhabited land and there he started a botanic garden and planted trees and plants from all over the world.
Later the trees started to spread on their own, and now the area is full mostly of Pines, Eucalyptus, Acacias and various species of bushes (Quite similar to Australian flora).
Punta Del Este hosted a Latin American Summit in 1967 attended by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. In September 1986 Punta del Este played host to the start of the Uruguay Round of international trade negotiations. These negotiations ultimately led to the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1994.
Demographics
As of the census of 2004, there were 10,506 people and 47,657 households in the department. The average household size was 2.9. For every 100 females, there were 97.2 males.
- Population growth rate: 2.285% (2004)
- Birth Rate: 17.10 births/1,000 people (2004)
- Death Rate: 7.06 deaths/1,000 people
- Average age: 31.0 (30.1 Males, 32.0 Females)
- Life Expectancy at Birth (2004):
- Total Population: 76.20 years
- Average Family Size: 2.31 children/woman
- Urban per capita income (cities of 5,000 inhabitants or more): 4,066.1 pesos/month
Ethnicity
The overwhelming majority of the population is of predominantly European descent. People of Spanish and Italian ancestry are the most numerous, followed by those of French, German, Portuguese, British, Swiss, Russian, Polish, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Estonian Dutch, Belgian, Croatian, Austrian, Serbian, Greek, Scandinavian, Irish, Romanian and Armenian origin. According to the 2006 National Survey of Homes by the Uruguayan National Institute of Statistics, 94.6% claimed European ancestry, 3.4% Afro/Black ancestry, and 2% Asian ancestry.
Many European immigrants arrived in Uruguay in the late 1800s and have heavily influenced the architecture and culture of Montevideo and other major cities. For this reason, Montevideo and life within the city are reminiscent of parts of Europe.
The Beach
Punta del Este has scenic coasts and beaches.
There are two types of coast: Brava and Mansa. This shows the end of the Rio de la Plata (River Plate) on one side and the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean, on the other side. Every beach of the peninsula has public access. There are quiet and calm water beaches while others have strong waves, white and fine sand or thick and golden ones. The split between wave types is around the Monumento al Ahogado, which the sculptor designed to warn swimmers that the rough waves could cause them to drown.
La Barra is popular for nautical sports and fishing. Other areas include El Tesoro resort, Montoya beach, Bikini beach and Manantiales beach.
Nowadays this area has become an important tourist center, with many services to meet the needs of visitors.
Main Sights
The city has much colonial architecture contrasting with more modern buildings. Nowadays it has a scenic shore, typical resort houses, modern buildings, a port with mooring capacity, department stores, restaurants, and pubs.
There are several large houses, and gardens lined with plants from every part of the world, wide avenues, boulevards, and a quality of life that is difficult to find in other South American cities.
Gorlero Avenue, the main avenue of Punta del Este has commercial galleries, restaurants, cinemas, casinos, shops and many more attractions.
Artigas square, over Gorlero Ave is the place where the popular handicraft market takes place, selling goods made of leather, stone, metal, glass, etc.
Casapueblo
This icon of Punta del Este is an artwork by the Uruguayan painter and sculptor Carlos Páez Vilaró. It sits atop Punta Ballena, as one of the main attractions of the peninsula.
It took 36 years to be completed.
It is universally considered as a “living sculpture”. Inside this masterpiece there are many rooms facing the sea. It also boasts sculptures, paintings and ceramics made by its creator. During the summer season there are sunset classical music concerts. It is possible to view the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and the sunset over the River Plate in Punta Ballena.
Punta del Este Lighthouse
This was built on 17 November 1860 by Tomas Libarona with the intention of guiding the navigators over the Atlantic Ocean and de la Plata river. To build it, a mixture of volcanic soil from Rome, which is harder than concrete, was used. This is the reason why it is in such good condition.
The lighthouse is 45 metres tall, and the crystal panels which are part of its illumination system were brought from France. It works by electricity, with acetylene gas as emergency backup.
It is possible to climb the 150 steps of its spiral staircase.
Gorriti Island
This island of 21 hectares of surface is daily visited to enjoy the nature, its two beaches, Garden Port and Honda beach.
The island is a natural port, with ships anchoring close to it. It is also a popular area to practice water sports.
Nowadays there are thousands of pine trees due to the plantations that the engineer Romulo Rubbo made; his work was later continued by his daughter the engineer Selva Rubbo.
Transportation
Air
The city is served by Capitan Corbeta CA Curbelo International Airport, Uruguay's second most important, located near Laguna Del Sauce on the outskirts of the city. This modern airport opened in 1996. It offers domestic and international flights within the region. Montevideo's Carrasco International Airport, Uruguay's main airport, is about 150 km from Punta del Este.
Roads and buses
Punta del Este can be reached from Buenos Aires by ferryboat (Buquebus) to Montevideo (the capital city), 140 km from Punta del Este, and then by car or bus.
The simplest way to get to Punta del Este is to fly into Montevideo Airport MVD, exit baggage area doors, go right to the COT or COPSA Bus office and purchase a ticket, walk out the front doors and wait for a direct express bus, thereby avoiding Montevideo itself. These buses run at least every half-hour and take under 2 hours to reach Punta del Este.
Railways
Punta del Este is not served by rail.
See also
External links
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