It is an important commercial and industrial centre which has become part of the wider Montevideo metropolitan area.

Pando is also the name of the municipality to which the city belongs and which includes several other small populated areas and rural areas from the limits of the Ciudad de la Costa to the south to the limits of Route 7 to the northwest.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

According to the Act of Ley Nº 759, on 11 March 1863 it held the status of "Villa" (town).

On 5 August 1920, its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) by the Act of Ley Nº 7.252.