The city is located in the west part of the Soriano's department, on the left banks of San Salvador River, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) before it discharges into the Uruguay River.

It is almost entirely surrounded by the populated rural area known as Chacras de Dolores.

It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay under the name "San Salvador".

On 26 November 1923, its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley Nº 7.652.

[3] Together with the surrounding rural inhabitants of Chacras de Dolores, they form a population centre of more than 19,000.