Area Code 473 – Salto

Overview of Area Code 473 (Salto, Uruguay)

Area code 473 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Salto and its surrounding areas in northwestern Uruguay. Salto is the capital of the Salto Department and the second most populous city in the country, located on the banks of the Uruguay River opposite the Argentine city of Concordia. This code is part of the Uruguayan numbering plan under the country calling code +598, as defined by ITU-T E.164.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 473 area code serves the entire Salto Department, including the city of Salto and smaller localities such as Constitución, Belén, and Pueblo Lavalleja. The region is an important commercial and agricultural hub, with significant activity in citrus farming, tourism (notably the Termas del Daymán hot springs), and cross-border trade with Argentina.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local callers within Uruguay (including Salto), the number must be dialed in the national format: 473 XXXX (for fixed lines, typically 4 to 6 digits after the area code). For example, a local call to a Salto number would be dialed as 473 2345 (if the subscriber number is 4 digits). For international callers, the full international format is required: +598 473 XXXX. For instance, to call a Salto number from abroad, you would dial +598 473 2345. Note that the leading '0' of the national trunk prefix is not used when dialing from outside Uruguay.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest ITU-T and URSEC (Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones) updates, there is no overlay code for Salto; the 473 code is exclusively used for the geographic area. However, with the growth of VoIP and mobile services, some numbers may be ported, but the geographic code remains associated with the Salto region for fixed-line services.

Practical Information for Callers

When calling from a mobile phone within Uruguay, you must include the area code even if you are in the same region, as mobile numbers are non-geographic and require the full national number. For international callers, always replace the '+' with your country's international exit code (e.g., '00' in many European countries, '011' in the US/Canada). Ensure you have the correct subscriber number length, as Uruguayan fixed-line numbers vary in length; the total number of digits after the country code is typically 8 (including the area code).