It is classified as a Beta World City, ranking seventh in Latin America and 73rd in the world. Described as a "vibrant, eclectic place with a rich cultural life", and "a thriving tech center and entrepreneurial culture", Montevideo ranks 8th in Latin America on the 2013 MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index. By 2014, is also regarded as the fifth most gay-friendly major city in the world, first in Latin America. It is the hub of commerce and higher education in Uruguay as well as its chief port. The city is also the financial and cultural hub of a larger metropolitan area, with a population of around 2 million. 

A Spanish expedition was sent from Buenos Aires, organized by the Spanish governor of that city, Bruno Mauricio de Zabala. On 22 January 1724, the Spanish forced the Portuguese to abandon the location and started populating the city, initially with six families moving in from Buenos Aires and soon thereafter by families arriving from the Canary Islands who were called by the locals "guanches", "guanchos" or "canarios". There was also one significant early Italian resident by the name of Jorge Burgues.
What is the City of focus?
What recognition did it get in 2014?
What about in 2013?
What did Zabala organize?
What happened in 1724?
And who was Zabala?
From which islands did some arrive?
What was one name for those folks?
Who called them by those names?
What is the name of the early Italian settler?
What type of hub is the city of a larger metro area?
Montevideo
 Montevideo ranks 8th in Latin America 
%th most gay friendly
By 2014, is also regarded as the fifth most gay-friendly major city
8th in Latin America on the 2013 MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index
Montevideo ranks 8th in Latin America on the 2013 MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index
An expedition
A Spanish expedition was sent from Buenos Aires, organized by the Spanish governor of that city, Bruno Mauricio de Zabala.
Portugese were forced to abandon the location
On 22 January 1724, the Spanish forced the Portuguese to abandon the location
Governor of Buenos Aires
A Spanish expedition was sent from Buenos Aires, organized by the Spanish governor of that city, Bruno Mauricio de Zabala
Canary Islands
soon thereafter by families arriving from the Canary Islands 
Canarios
 the Canary Islands who were called by the locals "guanches", "guanchos" or "canarios"
Locals
who were called by the locals "guanches", "guanchos" or "canarios".
Jorge Burgues.
There was also one significant early Italian resident by the name of Jorge Burgues.
Commerce and higher education
 It is the hub of commerce and higher education in Uruguay as well as its chief port.