Artigas is one of the nineteen departments that make up the Eastern Republic of Uruguay. Its capital is the homonymous city Artigas, neighbor of the Brazilian city of Quaraí. It is located in the extreme north of the country, bounded on the west by the Uruguay River, which separates it from Argentina until it reaches the Brazilian Island, where it begins its border with Brazil, which is bounded by the Cuareim River, and to the south by Salto. With 11 928 km² it is the fifth most extensive department, behind Tacuarembó, Salto, Paysandú and Cerro Largo.
In its northwest corner is Bella Union, city that receives that name since it is located at the junction of the Cuareim River with the Uruguay River, on the border of Uruguay with Brazil and Argentina. This gives it a special feature of Triple Border,. Account with two territories, in dispute with Brazil that are: the Corner of Artigas and the call Brazilian island.