Fray Bentos

Fray Bentos is a town in western Uruguay, close to the border with Argentina, and about 160 km (100 mi) due north of Buenos Aires.

Related Topics:
Uruguay - Argentina - Buenos Aires

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It has a population of 22 600 (1996). It is a port on the River Uruguay and is the capital of the Río Negro department. Historically, its main industry has been meat processing. The beef plant there closed in 1979 after 117 years in operation. A local history museum opened on the site in March 2005.

Related Topics:
River Uruguay - Río Negro - 1979 - 2005

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The town was originally founded in 1859 as 'Independencia'. Its current name is derived from a reclusive priest.

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Botnia S.A., a subsidiary of Finnish corporation Botnia is currently building a large cellulose factory in Fray Bentos to produce bleached eucalyptus pulp. The investment in the project is about 1 billion USD and the factory will directly or indirectly employ more than 8000 people.

Related Topics:
Finnish - Botnia - Cellulose - Eucalyptus - USD

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