Nueva Helvecia
Encyclopedia
Nueva Helvecia is a city in the southeastern part of Colonia Department
of Uruguay
. It is located on the intersection of Routes 52 and 53, about 120 kilometres (74.6 mi) west of Montevideo
and 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north of Colonia Valdense
. Its status was elevated to "City" category on 11 December 1952 by decree Ley No. 11.892.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
, but with a significant number from Austria
, Germany
, Italy
and France
, settled in the area.
The Swiss Colony was established in the mid-nineteenth century. Many Swiss descendants live in this area of the department of Colonia in Uruguay. Nueva Helvecia, Colonia Valdense, La Paz, Rosario, Colonia Miguelete, as well as other cities and towns, are the result of immigration of Swiss, Germans, Austrians, French and Italians to Uruguay. In April 2012, the Swiss Colony is celebrating its 150th anniversary of its founding. Most of the history of the colony is found in Dr. Juan Carlos Wirth's five publications and the detailed resources in his books.
Since its foundation, agriculture became one of the main sources of sustenance, in particular fruit and dairy products.
Nowadays, Nueva Helvecia is famous for its milk production.
Colonia Department
Colonia is a departamento in southwestern Uruguay. Its capital is Colonia del Sacramento, the country's second oldest city.-Economy:The region is the main producer of dairy products in Uruguay...
of Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
. It is located on the intersection of Routes 52 and 53, about 120 kilometres (74.6 mi) west of Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
and 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north of Colonia Valdense
Colonia Valdense
Colonia Valdense is a town located in southwestern Uruguay, within the Colonia Department. It is home to around 3,100 people. It lies along Route 1.- History :Colonia Valdense was founded in 1856, following the arrival of Italian immigrants from Piedmont...
. Its status was elevated to "City" category on 11 December 1952 by decree Ley No. 11.892.
Population
In 2004, Nueva Helvecia had a population of 10,002.| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1963 | 7,686 |
| 1975 | 8,587 |
| 1985 | 8,768 |
| 1996 | 9,650 |
| 2004 | 10,002 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
History
The date of its foundation is considered to be 24 April 1862. This year marked the time when a large number of immigrants, mostly from SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, but with a significant number from Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, settled in the area.
The Swiss Colony was established in the mid-nineteenth century. Many Swiss descendants live in this area of the department of Colonia in Uruguay. Nueva Helvecia, Colonia Valdense, La Paz, Rosario, Colonia Miguelete, as well as other cities and towns, are the result of immigration of Swiss, Germans, Austrians, French and Italians to Uruguay. In April 2012, the Swiss Colony is celebrating its 150th anniversary of its founding. Most of the history of the colony is found in Dr. Juan Carlos Wirth's five publications and the detailed resources in his books.
Since its foundation, agriculture became one of the main sources of sustenance, in particular fruit and dairy products.
Economic activity
This area of Uruguay had a great influence on the economy of Uruguay and the name "Switzerland of America" is often used.Nowadays, Nueva Helvecia is famous for its milk production.
External links
- Information and photos of Nueva Helvecia in www.skyscrapercity.com
- Nueva Helvecia in Swiss Info - (SpanishSpanish languageSpanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
) - The Beer Festival of Nueva Helvecia, Viajando Por Uruguay
- Guía turística de Colonia - (SpanishSpanish languageSpanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
) - INE map of Nueva Helvecia