Banda Oriental del Río Uruguay

The Banda Oriental del Río Uruguay, meaning "East Bank of the Uruguay River," is the historical region that eventually became the modern country of Uruguay. Before European arrival, the area was inhabited by indigenous groups like the Charrúa, Chaná, and Guaraní.12

Spanish explorer Juan Díaz de Solís first explored the region in 1516, but settlement was slow due to a lack of mineral wealth and easily exploitable native populations. The Portuguese established Colonia do Sacramento in 1680, leading to Spanish counter-efforts and the founding of Montevideo in 1726. The Banda Oriental became part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata in 1776. By 1800, the population included European settlers, enslaved Africans, and a growing middle class, with cattle ranching becoming a significant economic activity. The region later developed its own flag and eventually gained independence as Uruguay.21