Its name means "Thirty Three" and refers to the 19th-century national heroes, the 33 Orientales, who established the independence of Uruguay in 1825.

Together with Ejido de Treinta y Tres and the southwestern suburb of Villa Sara, they form a population centre of around 33,000 inhabitants.

This activity has given a great boost to the region's economy, promoting the pre-cooked products industry and the installation of rice mills.

The city is almost surrounded by a populated rural area, a zone of chacras (ranches), known as Ejido de Treinta y Tres.

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