Jardin Botanica (Botanical Garden), Montevideo

The Botanical Garden of Montevideo is an open museum of nature, located in the Prado Park of Montevideo. Its official name is "Museum and Botanical Garden Professor Atillio Lombardo." Mr. Lombardo was the Garden and Museum director for 40 years.

The Botanical Garden was created in 1902 by the French landscape architect Carlos Racine. As of today, the gardens occupy more than thirty-two acres of land. It is a brilliant way to escape into the air of nature without leaving the city. On the walks of the gardens are examples of 1,000 species of vegetation.

The Botanical Garden is an oasis where one may find almost every type of flora in South America. There are 1,761 types of trees, some over 100 years old, 620 shrubs, and over 2,400 flowers. Zones harbor the plants according to their environmental needs and peculiar properties, including water, shade, and medicinal qualities.

The gardens breed butterflies. There are 53 species of butterflies living only in the park. Five different families of Lepidoptera are represented. Visitors are allowed to watch them and take photographs. The best times for pictures are spring and summer.