Artigas, Uruguay
Artigas is the capital of Uruguay’s Artigas Department. It is named after José Gervasio Artigas, a national hero who helped fight for independence and dreamed of a united region.
As of 2023, Artigas is the 11th most populous city in the country, with about 43,900 residents.
History in brief: The town was founded on September 12, 1852, by Don Carlos Catalá as San Eugenio del Cuareim. It became the department capital on September 5, 1884. It was renamed Artigas and its status was raised from town to city on August 31, 1915.
Location and economy: Artigas lies on the border with Brazil, opposite the Brazilian town of Quaraí. A bridge connects the two towns. The city is a center for trading grain, especially maize, with Argentina and Brazil. The railway and Artigas International Airport support this trade (the airport opened in 1973).
Gem mining: The area’s hills have significant gem deposits, especially agate and amethyst. Mining began around 1860, and crafts using these stones are produced and sold as souvenirs. In 2022, the International Union of Geological Sciences highlighted the Amethyst Deposits of Los Catalanes as a geological heritage site.
Geography and climate: Artigas covers about 16.8 square kilometers and sits about 121 meters above sea level. The climate is humid subtropical (Cfa): warm to hot summers and cool winters with some frost, with about 1,535 mm of rain per year. The average annual temperature is around 19.6 C.
Connectivity and facts: Artigas has Artigas International Airport. Brazil has a vice-consulate in the city. The postal code is 55000, and the area code is +598 477. The city is roughly 600 kilometers (about 370 miles) from Montevideo, the capital.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 06:11 (CET).