# Fray Bentos > capital city of the Río Negro Department, southwestern Uruguay **Wikidata**: [Q849835](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q849835) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fray_Bentos) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fray-bentos ## Summary Fray Bentos is the capital city of the Río Negro Department in southwestern Uruguay, founded on April 16, 1859. It is classified as a large human settlement and serves as a border city, with a population of 24,406 as of the 2011 census. The city is notable for being a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities and for its industrial landscape, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria (ii) and (iv). ## Key Facts - **Founded**: April 16, 1859 - **Capital of**: Río Negro Department, Uruguay - **Population**: 24,406 (2011 census) - **Classification**: Large human settlement, border city - **Elevation**: 23 meters above sea level - **Postal Code**: 65000 - **Coordinates**: 33.116544°S, 58.3131°W - **Timezone**: America/Montevideo - **UN/LOCODE**: UYFZB - **Membership**: Organization of World Heritage Cities (as of December 31, 2023) - **World Heritage Criteria**: (ii) and (iv) - **Notable Features**: Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape - **Aliases**: 프라이 벤토스 - **Demonym**: Fraybentino (masculine singular) - **Described by**: Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary, Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (1885–1890) ## FAQs - **What is Fray Bentos' population?** Fray Bentos had a population of 24,406 as of the 2011 census, determined by official census methods. - **When was Fray Bentos founded?** The city was founded on April 16, 1859. - **What is Fray Bentos' postal code?** The postal code for Fray Bentos is 65000. - **What organizations is Fray Bentos a member of?** Fray Bentos is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. - **What is Fray Bentos' elevation?** Fray Bentos is located at an elevation of 23 meters above sea level. - **What is the demonym for people from Fray Bentos?** The demonym for people from Fray Bentos is "Fraybentino" (masculine singular). - **What is the UN/LOCODE for Fray Bentos?** The UN/LOCODE for Fray Bentos is UYFZB. ## Why It Matters Fray Bentos holds historical and cultural significance as the capital of the Río Negro Department in Uruguay. Its designation as a World Heritage City underscores the importance of its industrial heritage, which reflects the region's economic and technological development. The city's status as a border city also highlights its strategic location and role in regional trade and connectivity. Additionally, Fray Bentos serves as a cultural and administrative hub, contributing to the broader development of Uruguay's southwestern region. ## Notable For - **World Heritage City**: Fray Bentos is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities, recognized for its industrial heritage. - **Border City**: Fray Bentos is classified as a border city, reflecting its strategic location at the interface between Uruguay and Argentina. - **Industrial Landscape**: The Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria (ii) and (iv). - **Population**: The city has a population of 24,406, as recorded in the 2011 census. - **Elevation**: Fray Bentos is situated at an elevation of 23 meters above sea level. ## Body ### History Fray Bentos was founded on April 16, 1859, and has since served as the capital of the Río Negro Department. The city's establishment marked a significant milestone in the region's development, contributing to its growth as an administrative and economic center. ### Geography Fray Bentos is located at coordinates 33.116544°S, 58.3131°W, with an elevation of 23 meters above sea level. The city is situated in the Río Negro Department, Uruguay, and serves as a border city, facilitating trade and connectivity between Uruguay and Argentina. ### Demographics As of the 2011 census, Fray Bentos had a population of 24,406. The city's demographic profile reflects its role as a regional hub, with a population determined through official census methods. ### Cultural and Historical Significance Fray Bentos is notable for its industrial heritage, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site under criteria (ii) and (iv). The city's status as a World Heritage City highlights its cultural and historical importance, contributing to the broader preservation of Uruguay's industrial legacy. ### Administrative and Political Role Fray Bentos serves as the capital of the Río Negro Department, playing a crucial role in the region's administration and governance. The city's postal code is 65000, and its UN/LOCODE is UYFZB, reflecting its status as a key administrative and logistical center. ### Memberships and Affiliations Fray Bentos is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities, as of December 31, 2023. This membership underscores the city's commitment to preserving its industrial heritage and contributing to global cultural and historical preservation efforts. ### References and Descriptions Fray Bentos is described in the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary and the Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (1885–1890), highlighting its historical and cultural significance. The city's aliases include 프라이 벤토스, and its demonym is "Fraybentino" (masculine singular). ### Related Entities - **Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape**: A UNESCO World Heritage Site designated under criteria (ii) and (iv). - **Río Negro Department**: The administrative region of which Fray Bentos is the capital. - **Organization of World Heritage Cities**: An organization of which Fray Bentos is a member. ### External Identifiers Fray Bentos is referenced by various external identifiers, including its WOEID (468063), GND ID (3013977-6), VIAF ID (138376810), and Freebase ID (/m/05r5tb). The city's Geonames ID is 3442568, and its OpenStreetMap node ID is 313943603. ### Digital Representation Fray Bentos is represented in various digital platforms, including Wikipedia (in multiple languages), Quora, and the BBC Things database. The city's page banner and commons category are available on Wikimedia Commons. ### Additional Information Fray Bentos has been featured in encyclopedias and online resources, including the Encyclopædia Britannica and Treccani's Enciclopedia Italiana. The city's elevation is 23 meters above sea level, and its timezone is America/Montevideo. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. Integrated Authority File 3. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf) 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0 6. GeoNames 7. BBC Things 8. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/uy.htm) 9. World Heritage Site 10. Quora