Fray Bentos
| Fray Bentos | |
|---|---|
| Capital city | |
 Fray Bentos
|
|
| Coordinates: 33°08′0″S 58°18′0″W / 33.13333°S 58.30000°WCoordinates: 33°08′0″S 58°18′0″W / 33.13333°S 58.30000°W | |
| Country |
 Uruguay
|
| Department | Río Negro Department |
| Founded | 1859 |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 24,406 |
| • Demonym | fraybentino |
| Time zone | UTC–3/–2 |
| Postal code | 65000 |
| Dial plan | +598 456 (+5 digits) |
| Climate | Cfa |
Fray Bentos is the capital city of the Río Negro Department, in south-western Uruguay. Its port on the Uruguay River is one of the nation's most important harbours. The city host the first campus of the Technological University, beside the historically relevant industrial complex Anglo, a World Heritage site. One of the biggest pulp mills in the world is situated close to Fray Bentos and the Libertador General San Martín Bridge, and it was the center of the largest political dispute between Uruguay and Argentina during the 21st century.
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.
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. Its current name, meaning "Friar Benedict", is derived from a reclusive priest.
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, 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.
Fray Bentos was the location of the crash of Austral Flight 2553, in which 74 people were killed (69 passengers and 5 crew) on October 10, 1997.
In 2011 Fray Bentos had a population of 24,406.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay
In 1899 a company called "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 Fray Bentos company diversified into soups, meatballs and tinned fruit. During the 1990s the focus shifted to pies and puddings and Fray Bentos was taken over by the Campbell Soup Company. However, in 2006, 'Campbells UK' was acquired by Premier Foods. The brand is now owned in the UK by Baxters, which manufactures the product range in Scotland. Additionally, the Campbell Soup Company manufactures and sells Fray Bentos branded steak and kidney pies in Australia.
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