Parajes costeros, turismo y paisajes culturales en Uruguay

Abstract

The Uruguayan Southern coastal areas have evolved to become privileged vacation sites, attracting increasingly regional tourism, thus fulfilling the purpose officially promoted since 1920. The interpretative analysis of the modes of land occupancy and appreciation of the cultural landscapes by inhabitants and tourists will include: consolidated tourist urbanizations with diverse morphologies and social histories, charming rustic fishing villages, and seaside resorts with irregular layouts. The coastal area comprises alternating forest parks with camping sites, vast barely occupied fields, fertile lake basins, dynamic natural areas, and agricultural lands. The respectful relationship between people and nature in these vastly unpopulated somewhat virgin territories is a fairly attainable goal. The recent regulations on territorial planning point towards development instruments which take the vulnerabilities into consideration to avoid jeopardising natural resources. The design of precautionary conclusions to avoid future depredation requires historically based research and contemporary approaches to compatibility among natural attractions and tourism.