| Official Name: | Mercedes |
| Other Name: | La Hermosa del Sur |
| Settlement Type: | Capital city |
| Pushpin Map: | Uruguay |
| Pushpin Label Position: | bottom |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Uruguay |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Uruguay |
| Subdivision Type1: | Department |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 1788 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 Census |
| Population Total: | 41974 |
| Population Blank1 Title: | Demonym |
| Population Blank1: | mercedario,-a |
| Timezone: | UTC -3 |
| Coordinates: | -33.25°N -58.0333°W |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Postal Code: | 75000 |
| Area Code Type: | Dial plan |
| Area Code: | +598 453 (+5 digits) |
| Blank Name: | Climate |
| Blank Info: | Cfa |
Mercedes (pronounced as /es/) is the capital and largest city of the department of Soriano in Uruguay. According to the census 2011, it is the tenth most populated city of the country.
Mercedes is an important centre of tourism, commerce and a commercial port. Its main industries are based on agriculture, dairy products, paper manufacturing and industrial activities. Its rambla (riverside promenade) is one of the widest in the country.
Mercedes was founded in 1788 by the priest Manuel Antonio de Castro y Careaga with the name of Capilla Nueva de las Mercedes. It had acquired the status of "Villa" (town) before the Independence of Uruguay. On 6 July 1857, its status was elevated to "Ciudad" (city) and it was designated as capital of Soriano, one of the nine original departments of the Republic at the time, by the Act of Law Nº 531. Previously, the capital of the department was Villa Soriano.
In 2011, it had a population of about 41,974[1]
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
| 1908 | 15,667 | |
| 1963 | 31,325 | |
| 1975 | 34,518 | |
| 1985 | 36,701 | |
| 1996 | 39,320 | |
| 2004 | 42,032 | |
| 2011 | 41,174 |
The city is located on the junction of Route 2 with Route 14, and is situated on the south bank of the Río Negro. Also Route 21 from Colonia del Sacramento of Colonia Department terminates in this city.
Mercedes was one of the host cities of the official 1967 Basketball World Cup.