Rocha Department

Rocha Department
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Rocha Department and its capital
Coordinates (Rocha): 34°29′0″S 54°21′0″W / 34.48333°S 54.35000°W / -34.48333; -54.35000
Country	Uruguay
Capital of Department	Rocha
Government
• Intendant	Alejo Umpiérrez
• Ruling party	Partido Nacional
Area
• Total	10,551 km2 (4,074 sq mi)
Population  (2011 census)
• Total	68,088
• Density	6.5/km2 (17/sq mi)
Demonym	Rochense
Time zone	UTC-3 (UYT)
ISO 3166 code	UY-RO
Website	www.rocha.gub.uy

Rocha (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈrotʃa]) is a department in the east of Uruguay. Its capital is the city of Rocha. It borders Maldonado Department to its west, Lavalleja Department to its northwest, Treinta y Tres Department to its north, while to its northeast Laguna Merín forms part of its border with Brazil and at the south end of the lake it also borders the southernmost end of Brazil, with the city of Chuy "shared" between both countries, the border passing through its main commercial avenue.

Rocha has natural beauties like Cabo Polonio, Valizas, Santa Teresa National Park. It is well known for its beach resorts, like Punta del Diablo or La Esmeralda, which swell with visitors during the summer holidays. Inland, the primary economy of Rocha is based on large cattle ranches.