Maldonado is the capital of Maldonado Department of Uruguay. It is located on Route 39 and shares borders with Punta del Esteto the south, Pinares - Las Delicias to the south and to the east and suburb La Sonrisa to the north. Together they all for a unified metropolitan area. East of the city flows the stream Arroyo Maldonado. The next city to the north is San Carlos, only 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) away on Route 39.
Maldonado is also the name of the municipality to which the city belongs. It includes the following zones: Maldonado, Punta Ballena, Portezuelo, Barrio Hip�dromo, Canteras de Marelli, Los Ceibos, Abra de Perdomo, Laguna del Diario
