The words Rio Branco mean "white river" in Portuguese. However, the name does not refer to any local river; it is a tribute to Brazilian diplomat José Paranhos, Baron of Rio Branco, who negotiated the definitive borders of Brazil and Uruguay. Hence the Portuguese name, instead of SpanishRío Blanco (although the city's name has an acute accent on the first word that is required in Spanish, but absent from the Portuguese spelling).
Geography
It is located at the east end of Route 26, about 86 kilometres (53 mi) east-southeast of the department capital city of Melo.
On 31 August 1915, the villa (town) previously known as Artigas was given its present name by Act of Law 5330.[1] On 1 July 1953, its status was elevated to a ciudad (city) by Act of Law 11,963.[2]
Population
In 2011, Río Branco had a population of 14,604.[3]
Year
Population
1908
4,106
1963
4,023
1975
5,685
1985
9,072
1996
12,215
2004
13,456
2011
14,604
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[1]
