Bay of Montevideo

The bay has a round shape – approximately 4 kilometres (2+1⁄2 mi) in diameter at low tide – and a very secure port suited for boats with a deep draft.

On its west side, is the Cerro de Montevideo crowned by the fortress of the same name with a lighthouse which dominates the landscape.

Because of the density of industrial development in the area surrounding the port, the residential popularity is relatively low.

[3] The port has been growing rapidly and consistently at an average annual rate of 14 percent due to an increase in foreign trade.

The city has received a US$20 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank to modernize the port, increase its size and efficiency, and enable lower maritime and river transportation costs.