Lobos Island (Rio Negro)
{ "type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [ { "type": "Feature", "properties": {}, "geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [ -58.402633666992195, -33.385872938201146 ] } } ] } Lobos (Spanish: Isla de Lobos, pronounced [ˈizla ðe ˈloβos]) is a big island in Uruguay, at the confluence of Negro River (Spanish: Río Negro) and Uruguay River. Politically it belongs to Rio Negro department. Up to the 19th century, the island was actually three islets, the largest called Vizcaíno, same as the island across the . Lobos and Vizcaino Island were the debarkation site of the first bovine herd in the Eastern margin of the Uruguay River. In 1611, Hernando Arias de Saavedra (Hernandarias) left heifers and bulls for breeding, and repeated the action in 1617. These herds rapidly propagated originating Uruguay present export quality rodeo. It also had an important role in the foundation of Villa Soriano, the first European settlement in Uruguay. Origin of name The island name comes from the abundant otter colonies. At one time there were giant river otters (Ptenoura brasiliensis paraguensis, Spanish: Lobo de río) now believed extinct, but the name may also refer to the still plentiful long tailed river otter (Lontra longicaudis, Spanish: Lobito de río). Geography Lobos is one of the largest islands () in the delta formed at the confluence of Uruguay and Negro Rivers. Born in the southern Brazil highlands 750 km away, at its end Negro River splits in two main water courses that meet the Uruguay: Yaguarí Mouth (Spanish: Boca del Yaguarí) to the Northeast and False Mouth (Spanish: Boca falsa) to the Southwest, with Lobos Island between them. All sides of the vaguely triangular island have different water flows: Yaguarí creek (Spanish: Brazo del Yaguarí) is a narrow deep channel that changes flow direction when Uruguay River is high, while at the Negro River at the False Mouth is very wide but much shallower, only navigable for small draft vessels. Uruguay River, on the other hand has a large width at this point, with a navigable channel deep enough for cargo vessels coming and going from main cargo ports up and downstream: Fray Bentos and Nueva Palmira. Other islands in the delta are Yaguarí and Vizcaíno on the right bank of Yaguarí Creek, and Redonda, del Medio, Pepe Ladrón, Santiago Chico and Villeta Islands on the False Mouth. The island has three distinct geological zones. The wetlands (CONEAT 03.11) along the Uruguay River coast are low with a coastal dune that is overcome by floods and then retains the water. The other two coasts (CONEAT 03.2) are of medium height, formed by old river sediments of sand and clay. They are slowly flooded when the Uruguay River level rises and prevents the Negro to flow. Soils have high fertility and poor drainage, covered by native trees and shrubs. The prairie (CONEAT 03.3) is the highest level due to a crystalline basement, with fertile soils, grass vegetation and sparse trees. Lobos island can be approached by land after a four-hour drive from Montevideo or