This is the ( peace) flag of Uruguay. It is similar to the flag of Argentina. Both have a sun in the middle with radiants (if that is the right word) jutting out around the sun. However, when at war, both countries have the tradition of flying a "war flag". This flag is the same in every way except the radiants are removed and the center has only the image of the sun.
Uruguay is officially named the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. "Oriens" is Latin for east and the country is located east of the Uruguay River. Does that make them Orientals? No, this is not a corny joke. I read somewhere they were once called Orientals. But what if that writer was making a corny joke?
The center of Uruguay is Montevideo where 1.5 million of its 3.5 million citizens live. The center of Montevideo is Independence Plaza which divides the modern city center from the the old city. In the center of the Plaza is a statue of Jose Artegas who led their wars of Independence against Spain and won final victory in 1828.
Sharing the Plaza is this elegant old style building . Completed in 1928, it has graced the area ever since.
The entrance to the old city (Ciudad Vieja) contains a small part of the walled city that stood on this site from 1724 to 1833.
The old city is famous for its weekend shopping stalls both at the start of the city , where this picture was taken, and in a park near its famous cathedral .
The Iglesia Martiz was started in 1790 and consecrated in 1804 . It stands off a beautiful plaza next to a park but the challenge to take this picture was to avoid the McDonald's flags everywhere and its own outdoor cafe right off the park.
Like Independence Plaza , the old city has a statue to a famous hero.
Don Bruno Mauricio de Zabata is the founder of Modevideo. Zabata was a Spanish army officer who contructed a fortress on the River Pate in 1726 to guard against attacks from pirates and the rival Portuguese This fortress and surrounding settlement evolved into Montevideo.
No comments:
Post a Comment