# Canelones Department

The Departamento de Canelones (Spanish: Departamento de Canelones; pronounced) is one of the 19 Uruguayan departments. With an area of 4,536 km$^2$ (1,751 sq mi) and 608,956 inhabitants at the 2023 Census, it is located in the south of Uruguay. Its capital is Canelones. Ciudad de la Costa is the largest city by total population and Las Piedras is the largest city with an official census.

## Geography

Neighbouring departments are Maldonado and Lavalleja to the East, Florida to the North, San José to the West, and Montevideo to the South. Part of the southern border is formed by the Río de la Plata. It is the second smallest department of the country after that of Montevideo, but the second largest in population.
Located in the humid templated region, the average temperature is low compared to that of the rest of the country (around 15 °C), as are the levels of precipitation (up to 2,000 mm yearly, on average).
By area Canelones Department is the second smallest of Uruguay's 19 departments.

### Topography and hydrography

Canelones Department, is characterized by flat lands and absence of relief (like most parts of Uruguay), with small coastal sand dunes at the south, and with meadows and woods in the center, north and west.
The department is rich in waterways, with many rivers and streams. However, there are two rivers that stand out for their importance: the Santa Lucía River and the Río de la Plata, which is actually a sea of salt water. On the coastline formed by the Río de la Plata, there are many spa towns and their respective beaches.
Santa Lucia River, meanwhile, forms the northern boundary with Florida, which is separated by a bridge known as the Paso Pache.

### Regions

Despite being a small department, Canelones has a population of over 500,000 inhabitants and one of the highest population densities in the country with 114 inhabitants per square kilometer.
The department is divided into approximately 20 sections. Within these, there are significant populations centers, some of which have the status of municipality, while others are part of cities formed recently by decree, and then there are also those that do not have enough inhabitants and are therefore often considered simple population entities with no mayor or government, remaining under the direct jurisdiction of the Municipality of Canelones (in Spanish, Intendencia Municipal Canelones or Comuna Canaria), which is based in the departmental capital, Canelones.

## History

Canelones was one of the nine original departments created in 1830. Over the years its boundaries have changed little.

## Economy

Agriculture is one of the principal contributors to the economy of Canelones. The cultivation of grapevines is widespread, and the area is a major contributor to Uruguay's burgeoning wine industry. In addition, cereal crops – principally maize – are produced, as are a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Tourism, in the eastern coastal area, is also a major source of income for the department, and has enabled the development of important urban centres, such as Atlántida.

## Demographics

Ethnic groups in Canelones (2011 est.) :
| Ethnic groups | Ethnic groups | Percent | Percent |
| White | White | 93.1% | 93.1% |
| Black | Black | 7.4% | 7.4% |
| Indigenous | Indigenous | 4.9% | 4.9% |
| Asian | Asian | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| None/Other/Unspecified | None/Other/Unspecified | 1.8% | 1.8% |
At the 2011 census, Canelones Department had a population of 520,187 (253,124 male and 267,063 female) and 222,193 (+44.25% than in 2004 (153,931)) households; at the 2023 Census this had grown to 608,956 inhabitants. The average household size in 2011 was 2.3 persons.
Demographic data for Canelones Department in 2010:
* Population growth rate: 1,095%
* Birth rate: 14.83 births/1,000 people
* Death rate: 8.45 deaths/1,000 people
* Average age: 32.9 (31.4 males, 34.3 females)
* Life expectancy at birth
** Total population: 76.37 years
** Male: 72.95 years
** Female: 80.00 years
* Average per household income: 25,087 pesos/month
* Urban per capita income: 10,015 pesos/month
2010 Data Source:
| Main urban centres | Main urban centres | Other towns and villages |
| Population stated according to the 2011 census. |||
| City / TownPopulation Ciudad de la Costa (**)113,257 Las Piedras71,258 Barros Blancos31,650 Pando25,947 La Paz20,524 Canelones19,865 Santa Lucía16,742 Progreso16,244 Villa Crespo y San Andrés9,813 Colonia Nicolich9,624 Fracc. Camino del Andaluz y R.849,295 Salinas *8,626 Parque del Plata *7,896 San Ramón7,133 Joaquín Suárez6,570 Sauce6,132 Atlántida *5,562 Tala5,089 Neptunia *4,774 Pinamar – Pinepark *4,724 San Jacinto4,510 Toledo4,397 | City / TownPopulation Villa Aeroparque4,307 Empalme Olmos4,199 Santa Rosa3,727 Marindia *3,543 Las Toscas *3,146 Cerrillos2,508 Estación Atlántida *2,274 Migues2,109 San Bautista1,973 San Luis *1,878 Dr. Francisco Soca1,797 Montes1,760 La Floresta *1,595 Fracc. sobre R.741,513 San Antonio1,489 Villa San José1,419 Villa Felicidad1,344 Estación La Floresta *1,313 Juanicó1,305 City Golf *1,104 Aguas Corrientes1,047 | Town / VillagePopulation Costa Azul965 Barrio Cópola826 Lomas de Carrasco806 Estanque de Pando770 Jardines de Pando756 Totoral del Sauce746 Olmos662 Seis Hermanos622 Villa Argentina622 Villa El Tato615 Costa y Guillamón550 Villa Paz S.A.542 Cuchilla Alta527 Castellanos520 Villa Porvenir507 Barrio La Lucha492 |
(* Resorts of the Costa de Oro – ** Sum result. See main article for all censal areas included.)
    Rural population
According to the 2011 census, Canelones department had a rural population of 48,219 (9.3%).

## Government

The executive power is exercised by the Intendencia Departamental de Canelones. The Intendant is elected every five years with the possibility of reelection. The legislative power is exercised by the Junta Departamental.
On 15 March 2010, by the Act of Ley Nº 18.653, the following Municipalities were formed in the Canelones Department:
Source: Intendencia Municipal de Canelones * Stated as 2004 estimates. ** Source: El Observador (2010)
| Municipality | Population |
| Aguas Corrientes | 2,180* |
| Atlántida | 9,251* |
| Barros Blancos | 27,687* |
| Canelones | 27,338 |
| Ciudad de la Costa | 75,990* |
| Colonia Nicolich | 13,757* |
| Empalme Olmos | 6,747 |
| Joaquín Suárez | 16,135 |
| La Floresta | 6,561* |
| La Paz | 19,532 |
| Municipality | Population |
| Las Piedras | 74,436* |
| Los Cerrillos | 7,369 |
| Migues | 3,720** |
| Montes | 1,968** |
| Pando | 32,603 |
| Parque del Plata | 8,122* |
| Paso Carrasco | 22,688 |
| Progreso | 20,450* |
| Salinas | 17,997 |
| Municipality | Population |
| San Antonio | 3,552 |
| San Bautista | 4,045 |
| San Jacinto | 6,674 |
| San Ramón | 8,554 |
| Santa Lucía | 18,346 |
| Santa Rosa | 6,008 |
| Sauce | 14,815 |
| Soca | 3,829 |
| Tala | 9,499 |
| Toledo | 16,197 |