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Fray Bentos
View on WikipediaFray Bentos (Spanish pronunciation: [fɾaj ˈβentos]) is the capital city of the Río Negro Department, in south-western Uruguay, at the Argentina-Uruguay border, near the Argentine city of Gualeguaychú. Its port on the Uruguay River is one of the nation's most important harbours.[1] The city hosts the first campus of the Technological University,[2] beside the historically relevant industrial complex Anglo, a World Heritage Site, however, the Port is mainly famous for giving the name to the world renowned Fray Bentos pies.
Key Information
One of the biggest pulp mills in the world is situated close to Fray Bentos and the Libertador General San Martín Bridge; it was the center of the largest political dispute between Uruguay and Argentina during the 21st century.
Geography
[edit]The city is close to the border with Argentina and about 160 kilometres (99 mi) due north of Buenos Aires, and 309 kilometres (192 mi) north-west from Montevideo, Uruguay's capital.
History
[edit]The town was founded as 'Villa Independencia' by Decree of 16 April 1859. It became capital of the Department of Río Negro on 7 July 1860 by the Act of Ley Nº 1.475 and its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) on 16 July 1900 by the Act of Ley Nº 2.656.[3] Its current name, meaning "Friar Benedict", is derived from a reclusive priest.[4]
Historically, Fray Bentos' main industry has been meat processing. An industrial plant owned by the Societe de Fray Bentos Giebert & Cie., the Liebig Extract of Meat Company (LEMCO), was founded there in 1863. It was closed in 1979, after 117 years in operation. A local history museum opened on the site in March 2005.
The surroundings of Fray Bentos were the location of the crash of Austral Flight 2553, in which 74 people were killed (69 passengers and 5 crew) on 10 October 1997.[5][6]
On 5 July 2015, the city's Barrio Anglo, the location of the industrial plant, was declared a World Heritage Site as the "Fray Bentos Cultural-Industrial Landscape".[7]
Population
[edit]In 2023 Fray Bentos had a population of 26,967.[8][9]
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1908 | 7,359 |
| 1963 | 17,094 |
| 1975 | 19,407 |
| 1985 | 19,862 |
| 1996 | 21,959 |
| 2004 | 23,122 |
| 2011 | 24,406 |
| 2023 | 26,967 |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[3]
Economy
[edit]In 1899 a company called "Frigorífico Anglo del Uruguay" (often referred to as "Anglo") which originated from Lemco, began making corned beef there, which was sold as "Fray Bentos Corned Beef" in the UK. Fifty years later, the company diversified into soups, meatballs and tinned fruit.[10] During the 1990s the focus shifted to pies and puddings, and the company was taken over by the Campbell Soup Company. In 2006, 'Campbells UK' was acquired by Premier Foods.[11] The "Fray Bentos" brand is now owned in the UK by Baxters, which manufactures the product range in Scotland. The Campbell Soup Company manufactures and sells Fray Bentos-branded steak and kidney pies in Australia.[citation needed]
In 2008, the Brazilian-owned Marfrig Group announced the reopening of one of the factories related to the Liebig factory and the resumption of export of meat products, though at a lower volume than at the original factory.[12]
Pulp mill dispute
[edit]Botnia S.A., a subsidiary of Finnish corporation Metsä-Botnia, built a large cellulose factory (pulp mill) in Fray Bentos to produce bleached eucalyptus pulp. Production started in November 2007, and the first shipments were made in December 2007 from the port of Nueva Palmira. Investment in the project was about 1 billion USD. Several groups raised concerns regarding the effects of this and other pulp mills on the Uruguay River, which runs between Uruguay and Argentina, as well as whether Argentina had been provided with adequate notice regarding construction. On 30 April 2005 about 40,000 Argentine protesters from Entre Ríos, along with environmental groups from both countries, demonstrated at the bridge linking both countries. Afterwards ten to fifteen Argentines set up a roadblock at the international bridge to put pressure on the Uruguayan government to stop production at the factory, claiming it would gravely pollute the Uruguay River.[13] On 20 December 2005 a World Bank study concluded that the factory would not have a negative impact on the environment or tourism in either country. The paper mill started operating in November 2007.[14]
Transportation
[edit]Villa Independencia Airport serves Fray Bentos, but has no commercial air service.
Museums and culture
[edit]Fray Bentos has an Industrial Revolution Museum in the former meat processing factory of the Liebig Extract of Meat Company, where thousands of people worked. When it was shut down, the opportunity was taken to create a museum, with the original machinery, and social and cultural artefacts of the technological revolution in Fray Bentos. The museum exhibits the machinery used in the meat and extract of meat process, the buildings, an 1893 Merryweather water-pumping machine, a complete canning plant, a plant where the meat was cooked, a laboratory, etc.
It also has a museum for the artist Luis Alberto Solari, who was born in the city.
The Miguel Young Theatre is a cultural landmark.
Sports
[edit]Fray Bentos has its own football league, the Liga Departamental de Fútbol de Río Negro, established in 1912, made up of 14 teams. Among the most notable are Fray Bentos Fútbol Club, Club Atlético Anglo and Laureles Fútbol Club.
Notable people
[edit]This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2020) |
- José Pedro Barrán (1934–2009), historian
- Carlos Demasi (born 22 August 1949), historian
- Federico Elduayen (born 25 June 1977), footballer
- Carlos Fischer (1903–1969), politician, member of the National Council of Government 1955–1959
- Walter Pelletti (born 31 May 1966), former footballer
- Gastón Ramírez (2 December 1990), footballer
- Luis Alberto Solari (17 October 1918 – 13 October 1993), painter and engraver
- Juan Manuel Tenuta (1924–2013), was an actor
- Juan José Timón (18 November 1937 – 13 July 2001), cyclist
- Lucas Torreira, (born 11 February 1996), footballer
Sister cities
[edit]Fray Bentos is twinned with:
General Artigas, Paraguay[15]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Inicio". ANP (in Spanish).
- ^ "Mujica sobre UTEC de Fray Bentos: "la realidad a veces nos supera"". 180.com.uy.
- ^ a b "Statistics of urban localities (1908–2004) (see also "Independencia")" (PDF). INE. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
- ^ "Fray Bentos", Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. John Everett-Heath. Oxford University Press 2005. Oxford Reference Online, retrieved 21 June 2008
- ^ Accident description at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 26 May 2011.
- ^ "Catástrofe aérea: hubo 73 muertos" [Air disaster: 73 dead]. La Nación (in Spanish). 12 October 1997. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
- ^ "Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape". UNESCO. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- ^ "Archived copy". ine.gub.uy. Archived from the original on 10 November 2005. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Censos 2011 Cuadros Río Negro". INE. 2012. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
- ^ Anon. "Fray Bentos". Premier Foods our range. Premier Foods. Archived from the original on 21 February 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
- ^ Attwood, Karen (20 January 2007). "Premier Foods to close two factories with loss of 450 jobs". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 23 January 2007. Retrieved 20 January 2007.
- ^ BBC News. 28 October 2008 "Uruguay serves up slice of history "
- ^ "Multitudinaria protesta en Entre Ríos contra la instalación de papeleras (in Spanish)". Clarín. 2005. Retrieved 20 April 2005.
- ^ Bloomberg. 9 November 2007 "Metsae-Botnia Gets Permit From Uruguay to Start Pulp Production"
- ^ "Se firmó el Acuerdo de Hermanamiento entre las ciudades de Fray Bentos y General Artigas (Paraguay)". 19 May 2021.
External links
[edit]Fray Bentos
View on GrokipediaGeography
Location and Physical Features
Fray Bentos is situated in western Uruguay as the capital of the Río Negro Department, positioned on the eastern bank of the Uruguay River that borders Argentina. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 33°07′S latitude and 58°18′W longitude, placing it roughly 305 kilometers northwest of Montevideo.[4] The city lies at the point where the Río Negro empties into the Uruguay River, enhancing its strategic access to navigable waterways for transportation and trade.[1] The local terrain is characterized by flat to gently rolling plains, with elevations typically between 17 and 43 meters above sea level, reflecting the broader low-relief geography of Uruguay's Río de la Plata basin.[5] [6] Fertile soils in the river valley support agriculture, while the surrounding area features grasslands and scattered low hills, with the Uruguay River providing a defining hydrological feature that influences flooding patterns and ecosystem dynamics.[7]Climate and Environmental Setting
Fray Bentos has a humid subtropical climate classified as Cfa under the Köppen system, featuring warm to hot summers, mild winters, and no prolonged dry season.[8] The average annual temperature is 18.0 °C (64.3 °F), with monthly highs reaching 31 °C (88 °F) in summer (December–February) and lows around 7 °C (44 °F) in winter (June–August); extremes rarely drop below 1 °C (33 °F) or exceed 36 °C (96 °F).[9] Precipitation totals approximately 1,238 mm (48.7 inches) annually, distributed fairly evenly but with peaks in autumn (e.g., 136 mm in April) and minima in winter (e.g., 65 mm in July), supporting consistent humidity levels around 70–80%.[8] [10] The city's environmental setting is defined by its position on the eastern bank of the Uruguay River, approximately 300 km northwest of Montevideo, within Uruguay's western lowlands of rolling pampas and fertile alluvial plains. This riverine location, near the confluence with the Río Negro, fosters a dynamic fluvial ecosystem with riparian forests, wetlands such as the Esteros de Farrapos and Islas del Río Uruguay, and sediment-rich waters that serve as a biological corridor for species migration between upstream and downstream habitats.[11] The surrounding grasslands and riverine zones support diverse arachnid and avian populations, while the temperate humidity and moderate topography enable extensive agriculture and livestock grazing, though periodic flooding from the Uruguay River basin poses risks during heavy rainfall events.[12] The regional soils, a mix of loess-derived and alluvial types, combined with the climate, sustain natural vegetation of grasses and shrubs adapted to seasonal wetting and drying cycles.[13]History
Founding and Early Settlement (19th Century)
The area of modern Fray Bentos saw initial European settlement in 1857, when Basque-French merchant José Hargain established residence with his family on the Uruguay River's western banks under a usufruct agreement, operating an inn known as "La Hostería de la Independencia."[14][15] In 1858, a consortium of Uruguayan, English, German, and Irish entrepreneurs from Montevideo acquired surrounding lands, donating portions to facilitate organized settlement and port development at the site's natural deep-water harbor.[16][17] Villa Independencia was formally founded on April 16, 1859, via territorial decree, marking the official establishment of the town as a strategic riverside outpost conducive to trade and agriculture amid Uruguay's post-independence consolidation.[18][19] Early inhabitants comprised modest numbers of merchants, farmers, and laborers drawn by the port's proximity to Argentina and fertile hinterlands, with basic infrastructure like rudimentary wharves and housing emerging to support cattle ranching and river commerce before industrial expansion.[16][20] The settlement's growth remained limited through the 1860s, reliant on regional livestock trade rather than large-scale urbanization.[21]Rise of the Meat Processing Industry
The establishment of the meat processing industry in Fray Bentos traces to the mid-19th century, when German merchant George Christian Giebert, inspired by chemist Justus von Liebig's work on meat preservation, selected the site for its proximity to expansive cattle ranges and the Uruguay River for efficient export. Initial operations began around 1864 with a small-scale factory focused on producing concentrated meat extract by boiling down beef carcasses, enabling long-distance shipment without spoilage in an era before widespread refrigeration. This process yielded a nutrient-rich paste that could be reconstituted into broth, addressing Europe's demand for affordable protein amid urbanization and industrialization.[22] By 1865, the Liebig's Extract of Meat Company was formally incorporated in London with capital from investors, scaling production as the first shipments reached Europe that year, generating significant revenue—over £150,000 in loans secured shortly after. The factory's innovations extended to canning corned beef by the 1870s, with the "Fray Bentos" trademark registered in 1881 specifically for compressed cooked corned beef, which became a staple for military rations and civilian markets. Daily processing volumes grew rapidly, handling hundreds of cattle and employing a burgeoning workforce, transforming the facility into a model of vertical integration that encompassed sourcing, slaughtering, extraction, canning, and shipping.[22][20] This industrial ascent positioned Fray Bentos as a global exporter, supplying meat products to Europe and beyond, and earning the locale the epithet "the great kitchen of the world" by the late 19th century due to its pivotal role in revolutionizing preserved meat supply chains. The company's model spurred infrastructure development, including worker housing in the Barrio Anglo district, and attracted immigrants, boosting local population and economy while exemplifying early multinational agribusiness. Operations continued to expand under Liebig until 1924, when control shifted to the Vestey Brothers, later rebranded as the Anglo del Uruguay plant, solidifying the industry's dominance in the region.[20][1]20th Century Industrial Expansion and Challenges
The Fray Bentos meat processing facility, originally established by the Liebig Extract of Meat Company, expanded considerably in the early 20th century following its acquisition by British interests in 1924, when it was renamed the Anglo.[23] By the 1920s and 1930s, the plant employed up to 4,500 workers, representing more than half the local population and solidifying the city's role as a key exporter of corned beef and meat extracts to Europe and beyond.[24] Industrial growth accelerated with advancements in refrigeration and cold-storage, enabling Fray Bentos to capture a substantial portion of Uruguay's meat export market.[25] World War II marked the peak of expansion, as the facility ramped up production to meet wartime demands; in 1943 alone, it shipped 16 million tins of corned beef, primarily to sustain Allied troops.[26] This era underscored the plant's global significance, with workers from over 60 countries contributing to its operations.[20] However, the 20th century also brought significant challenges, beginning with an early economic and political crisis triggered by a sharp drop in meat product demand.[21] Post-1950, the enterprise faced prolonged decline as global demand waned due to evolving food technologies and consumer preferences shifting away from canned meats.[3] Labor conditions exacerbated tensions, including overwork, inadequate protective gear, and insufficient footwear for workers handling harsh processing environments.[27] By the 1960s, recurring crises culminated in nationalization of the Anglo plant in 1968 amid operational difficulties, with British owners departing by 1971; production continued under state control until final closure in 1979.[21] [24] These events reflected broader shifts in international trade and Uruguay's economic policies, contributing to the facility's obsolescence.[28]Post-Industrial Transition and UNESCO Recognition (2015–2025)
![2007_08_Uruguay_-Fray_Bentos-Anglo_Factory-_Old_Area.JPG][float-right] In July 2015, the Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape, encompassing the former Anglo meat processing complex along the Uruguay River, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its outstanding universal value in demonstrating technological exchanges and innovations in industrialized meat production during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[2] The designation recognized the site's intact representation of the full meat processing chain, from livestock sourcing to canning and shipping, including key structures like the cold storage building and chimney, which symbolized advancements in food preservation that globalized access to preserved meats.[1] This acknowledgment came amid Uruguay's broader efforts to preserve industrial heritage as traditional manufacturing waned, positioning the site as a model of adaptive reuse for cultural and educational purposes.[29] The UNESCO status facilitated post-industrial repurposing of the Anglo facilities, transforming them into a museum and interpretive center that highlights the site's role in revolutionizing global food supply chains.[20] Local authorities developed management plans emphasizing sustainable conservation, including strategic frameworks for integrating heritage preservation with urban planning to prevent incompatible developments.[30] By 2019, the site had begun attracting international visitors interested in industrial history, contributing to Fray Bentos's economic diversification beyond resource extraction toward tourism and related services, though quantitative impacts remained modest amid the dominance of the nearby pulp sector.[20] Ongoing monitoring by UNESCO ensured compliance with preservation criteria, supporting gradual infrastructure upgrades for public access without altering the landscape's authenticity.[2] Commemorations of the 10th anniversary in July 2025 underscored the site's enduring significance, with Uruguayan officials highlighting its contributions to national identity and sustainable development goals.[31] Despite challenges like balancing tourism growth with environmental protection near the riverine ecosystem, the heritage designation reinforced Fray Bentos's pivot from heavy industry, fostering educational programs on industrial evolution and attracting academic interest in Latin American economic history.[32] This period marked a stabilization in the city's post-industrial identity, leveraging global recognition to mitigate the vulnerabilities of a mono-industrial past.[33]Demographics
Population Dynamics and Trends
The population of Fray Bentos has grown steadily from the early 20th century onward, reflecting its role as an industrial hub in Uruguay's Río Negro Department. Census records from Uruguay's Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) document a rapid increase during the mid-20th century, followed by slower but consistent expansion. The table below summarizes key census figures for the urban locality:| Census Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1908 | 7,359 |
| 1963 | 17,094 |
| 1975 | 19,407 |
| 1985 | 19,862 |
| 1996 | 21,959 |
| 2004 | 23,122 |
| 2011 | 24,406 |
| 2023 | 26,967 |