by Gerardo Laborde

MONTEVIDEO, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- From early hours of Friday, Tres Cruces terminal, a bustling transport hub in Uruguay's capital city of Montevideo, came alive with its busiest day, handling over 1,200 long-distance services.

The country's annual carnival, one of the longest in the world, once again drew thousands of Uruguayans during the holiday period, combining one of the year's largest waves of domestic travel with celebrations that stretch across the country and take on unique flavors in border cities with Brazil and Argentina.

"Friday was the day with the heaviest traffic," Pablo Saravi, head of the terminal's control tower, told Xinhua. Between Friday and Sunday, over 3,300 bus arrivals and departures were registered.

According to Saravi, overall passenger flow was up 5 percent from a year earlier, with a marked concentration of travel toward the eastern part of the country, home to major seaside resorts along the Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic coast.

Beach tourism saw a significant uptick in northern Uruguay, particularly in the departments of Artigas, Rivera, Salto and Paysandu, driven by Carnival celebrations in border cities.

The carnival weaves together political satire, social commentary, choral music and dance, forming a vital thread in the fabric of the country's urban identity.

In the city of Artigas, located just meters from the Brazilian border, Carnival revolves around samba schools that parade with floats, elaborate costumes, and percussion sections in the style of Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. The city attracts thousands of visitors from across the country.

"Carnival is one of the country's most cherished and joyful expressions. With more than 40 years of history, the carnival in Artigas has its own identity and a strong sense of belonging," said Florencia Ualde, director general of the Tourism Ministry.

This year, nine samba schools are taking part, bringing together some 6,500 dancers, musicians and technical staff.

Another major Carnival hub is Rivera, separated from the Brazilian city of Santana do Livramento by just an avenue. There, celebrations are inspired by northeastern Brazil and promoted as a multicultural and free event.

Melo, capital of the Cerro Largo Department, has also joined the circuit of border festivities.

Unlike in other countries in the region, where Carnival is concentrated over just a few days, Uruguay's celebration extends over several weeks, combining leisure, tourism and cultural production. ■