Overview

The capital of Uruguay, the second-smallest country in South America, Montevideo is located on the Rio de la Plata in the southern part of the country. The city was founded around 1680 by the Spanish, and Uruguay was established over a century later, in 1828, as a buffer state between Argentina and Brazil. Modern-day Montevideo is known for its picturesque architecture, impressive buildings, white sandy beaches and its fabulous beach resorts along the Atlantic Coast. Starting at Plaza Independencia, guests can explore the Ciudad Vieja, or Old City, with its colonial Spanish, Italian and Art Deco structures and narrow, pedestrian-friendly streets. The city's Museo Hist�rico Nacional is a unique collection of four buildings located in Ciudad Vieja; all were once homes to national heroes and have been preserved and filled with art and artifacts. The Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes draws visitors interested in the engaging artwork of famous South American artists. On Saturdays, the Old City becomes a vast antique market offering fine silver, jewelry and art. The Mercado del Puerto, the city's port market, is always a big draw as it is packed with restaurants, clubs, bars and shops. It's the ideal place for seafood as well as traditional parrillada, or beef platters. While dining, visitors enjoy the festive atmosphere, replete with street vendors and musicians. Happening discos and nightspots keep the city alive well after dark. Tango clubs are a popular diversion, especially since famous tango scores were penned and performed for the first time in this Uruguayan city.

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