Mercedes

Mercedes (mĕrsāˈħēs) [key], city (1996 pop. 39,139), capital of Soriano dept., SW Uruguay, a port on the Río Negro. An agricultural and livestock center, the city has a shipyard and several fine beaches and resorts. Tourism is an important industry. Mercedes was founded in 1781. It has a famous cathedral.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.