Located on the banks of the Uruguay River, it is the country's fourth-largest city and a vital cultural and economic hub, with agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing serving as key industries.

[2][3] Located in the southwestern part of the department, across from the Argentine city of Colón in Entre Ríos Province, it was founded in the mid-18th century and is known as the La Heroica (Spanish for 'The Heroic City') for its rich history, particularly its resistance during the Siege of Paysandú in 1864-65.

[1] It is the fourth largest city in Uruguay, after Montevideo, Salto and Ciudad de la Costa.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística de Uruguay[5] Paysandú is more cosmopolitan than most Uruguayan cities,[citation needed] with many settlers from Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Belgium and various African nations.

[year needed] The main industries in the city are Norteña brewery, Azucarlito (sugar), Paylana (which is a producer of world-class woolen fabrics), and Paycuero (leather).