Punta del Este | |
---|---|
City | |
Aerial view Enjoy Hotel and Casino Central Square Residential area of the peninsula Playa Mansa | |
Coordinates: 34°58′0″S 54°57′0″W / 34.96667°S 54.95000°W | |
Country | Uruguay |
Department | Maldonado |
Founded | 1860 |
Government | |
• Mayor (Alcalde) | Javier Carballal (NP) |
Area | |
• Total | 20.35 km2 (7.86 sq mi) |
Population (2011 Census) | |
• Total | 12,423 |
Demonym(s) | puntaesteño (m) puntaesteña (f) |
Time zone | UTC−3 |
Postal code | 20100 |
Dial code | +598 42 (+6 digits) |
Climate | Cfb |
Punta del Este (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpunta ðel ˈeste]) is a seaside city and peninsula on the Atlantic Coast in the Maldonado Department of southeastern Uruguay. Starting as a small town, Punta del Este grew to become a resort for the Latin and North American jet set and tourists. The city has been called "The Monaco of the South", "The Pearl of the Atlantic", "The Hamptons of South America", "The Miami Beach of South America", or "The St. Tropez of South America".[1][2][3][4]
Many famous people have visited, resided or acquired vacation properties in Punta del Este and its surroundings.[5][6]
Punta del Este hosted the Whitbread Around the World yacht races from 1985 to 1994 and participated with its own yacht 'Uruguay Natural'. Punta del Este also hosted the 1967 American Summit attended by U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, and the start of the Uruguay Round of international trade negotiations in 1986 that led to the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1994. The city hosted the 2014 Formula E Championship and the Gran Premio de Punta del Este receiving national, South American and international competitions.[7]
In addition to international film festivals, gastronomy and first-class hotels, the region has protected natural reserves such as Isla de Lobos, Gorriti Island, La Barra, or the Arboretum Lussich. Popular landmarks in the area include the La Mano giant sculpture, the Santorini-styled complex Casapueblo, the Rafael Viñoly designed Puente Garzón bridge, and the Museum of the Sea.
Although the city has a year-round population of about 12,400 in winter, the number greatly expands during the summer season.[8]
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