ARTIGAS

About Artigas

Archaeological findings tell us that two different cultures of tribes, hunters and gatherers inhabited the area near the stream "Catalanes" and the river Cuareim respectively.

The surroundings of the river Cuareim were the domains of the Indians and the gauchos. During that period when Uruguay fought for its independence, all these lands were under the Brazilin Empire, until 1829, when Fructuoso Rivera together with 8 thousand Indians from the missions founded "Bella Union".

The fights in the border continued for a long time and the defense of these lands was difficult and monotonous. In 1852, Carlos Catala founded San Eugenia de Cuareim, today Artigas, the capital city of this province. This province has an area of 12.144,5 Km2 and a population of 75.053 inhabitants according to the census of 1996.

Artigas, situated on the banks of the river Cuareim, is joined to its neighboring city "Quarai by" a 750 meters international bridge "de la Concordia". It is a city with low houses, two-way streets and few buildings. We find the Police Station and the church "Sagrado Corazon de Jesus" erected in 1936. Artigas is famous for its amethysts and agates. There are various workshops, which sell their products in and outside Uruguay.

Bella Union is an agro industrial center; sugar cane id cultivated and industrialized here by the firms CALBU and CALPICA. The firm CALNU can processes more then 3500 tons of cane per day. CALVINOR, is an important wine cellar, which has been using modern advanced technology. SAICO, this firm cultivates tomatoes, green and red peppers, melons, cucumbers over an area of 400 hectares. "Asociacion Agropecuaria y de Industria de Artigas S.A.", promotes the rural activity in the region. There are various estates which breed Corriedale, Merino, Charolais, Hereford and Polled Hereford.

"Privetta Hnos" and "Molino Arrocero del Norte" are two important mills, which export rice and process white rice for the breweries. The annual production is estimated in 10.000 tons. Artigas, the northeast province of Uruguay, borders on Argentina and Brazil. The bridge "de la Concordia" will be opened to trade, tax free, and Artigas Airport can manage international flights. Artigas location is an advantage within the advent of Mercosur.