ROCHA

About Rocha

It is a symphony of landscapes, rich in fauna and flora, and 200 kms of ocean coast. With an area of 10.551 square kilometers, and a population of 69.800 inhabitants, Rocha bases its economy in two important pillars: agriculture and tourism.

Apart from "la Paloma" -main seaside resort-, "la Pedrera" -the most ancient one- and "La Coronilla", the rest of the coastal villages offer the enchantment of a rustic lifestyle, in deep contact with nature. Valizas is a group of straw huts. Scattered here and there. It has a special atmosphere; the only luxury is at night, when you can admire the magnificent sky, the stars, the whiteness of the sand and the phosphorescence of the waves when they break upon the shore.

The moving dunes in Cabo Polonio are 30 meters high, and are part of an ecosystem, which carries the sand towards the beach thanks to the wind. The natural inhabitants of this region are the seals. Some fishermen and craftsmen have settled in this spot near the lighthouse, perhaps searching for a quiet life, in contact with nature. There is no electricity, no water; there are no streets, only sand and grass.

There are beautiful beaches, which invite the tourist not only to have a good swim but also to go for long walks along the shore, where millions of whelks and even some shipwreck remains are to be found.

Lots of shipwrecks have been found in its coasts, and lots of stories have been told about them, too. Those fabulous stories were collected and written by the native writer Juan Antonio Varese.

"Los Humedales del Este" is an ecosystem of about 200.000 hectares, which includes swamps, lagoons, rivers and streams.

In 1976, the programme Man and Biosphere -UNESCO- declared this region, biosphere reserve. The swamps have the important function of regulating the water, when there is a flood, and the thick vegetation helps the evaporation of the water. It's a stop for birds, which migrate from the Antarctica to Canada, and it is the natural habitat of hundreds of plants and animal species. It is also the place where many birds make their nests or find shelter. The most attractive ones are the black neck swans, the white geese, and the American ostrich.

The Laguna de Rocha is the paradise of the fauna. Elegant swans, white geese, flamencos, storks, seagulls, ducks, more than 200 kinds of migratory and native birds live there.

The waters of these lagoons are rich in siri crabs, herrings, prawns and in the swampy places you will find foxes, pumas, otters, etc. "Laguna Castillos" opens onto the sea through "Valizas" stream. Nearby, there is a reserve of flora and fauna in one of the biggest "ombu" forest in the world. This park offers different kinds of trees, like ceibo, "talas" and "espinillos".

"Laguna Negra" is surrounded by hundred of palm trees and in its northeast margin there lie 715 hectares of the reserve called "el potrerillo", where you might encounter "guazuvira" a special kind of deer. It is called "Laguna Negra" because of the color of its waters; they are very obscure due to the amount of peat found in its surroundings. It is also know by the name "Laguna de los Difuntos" as many skeletons of aborigines and tombs were found in a hill nearby.

As Rocha is a province of archeological interest, the "Cerritos" which belonged to the Indians, are small meadows, which ate considered funerary monuments where human bones, arrows, and other tools about life after death.

"Punta del Diablo" is a typical fishing village overlooking the bay. Everyday the fishermen go out to sea in their orange boats to catch the sharks and then at twilight they come back to the shire to spread their nets on the beach. The women use the teeth of these sharks to make a necklaces and bracelets.

The fishing of the shark started in these coasts during the Second World War. It is said that they obtained great quantities of vitamin A, which was found in the liver of this fish, it was vital for the sight and strength of pilots. Nowadays, sharks provide the "bacalao Criollo".

Further north the travelers will find "la Coronilla" a seaside resort; large areas of forests border its coasts. The beaches have a special beauty. Unfortunately the "Canal Andreoni" has polluted them. This had to be done in order to use more land for the growing of rice crops.

Rocha offers the ideal habitat for the 60% of the 72 species of mammals that live in this country. The otter and capybara are the most common ones.

The capybara is hunted for its meat and fur; it was on the verge of extinction as many other mammals in Uruguay. Now there is a law which forbids hinters to kill some of these of these species.

Another typical tree is the palm tree -butia capitata- which has mysteriously grown in 70.000 hectares surrounding Castillos, Negra and San Luis, offering the traveler a unique tropical landscape. Its fruit, "butia" it used to prepare "cana de butia", a well-known drink. Unfortunately, these palm trees are disappearing. These pastures are being used for cattle breeding and these animals eat the new plants.

The government has launched a campaign to preserve these "Humedales del Este" -PROBIDES-. Technicians, scientists and investigators have been studying the behavior of the different species, and have made people aware of the importance of preserving this area.

The city of Rocha is a quiet place, indifferent to the pressures of modern life.

The visitor feels as if time had stopped in a remote past, with its narrow streets, its gray houses, and its few shops. Nevertheless, the capital is a crowded city. There is a floating population in summer, as people come from other provinces hunting for job. During the winter the commercial activity ceases abruptly and the resorts practically "die".

"Santa Teresa" national park harbors millions of native species, eucalyptus, pine trees, acacias, araucarias, etc. The famous "Santa Teresa" fortress stands vigilant as if guarding our territory from the attacks of strangers.

The Portuguese started its construction and the Spaniards finished it. It was witnessed the various battles for the independence of this country. It was abandoned till 1928 when it was declared national monument. It was rebuilt under the direction of Horacio Arreondo.

The foundation of the fortress is an irregular pentagon. It has double walls made of stone. Inside, the fortress is furnished with furniture of that period and costumes people wore at the time are displayed there.

Chuy is in the border with Brazil. A wide street divides the two countries. Hundreds of shops and free shops are found on both sides of the line. Going to the west, in San Miguel Park with its small fort, this building is surrounded by a moat with a drawbridge. It is made of red granite found in the area, and all the rooms are furnished with instruments and pieces of furniture dating from that period.

Rocha has been declared a tourist and ecological reserve.

The people of Rocha known that they possess a vulnerable richness in their region, also an important source of income, which should be preserved.