| Global Cost of Living Rank |
| CIA Background Information |
Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century established widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
Uruguay is a constitutional democracy with a large, educated middle class and a robust developing economy. The capital city is Montevideo . Tourist facilities are generally good with many 5-star accommodations at resort destinations such as Punta del Este and Colonia de Sacramento. The quality of tourist facilities varies according to price and location. Travelers are encouraged to seek travel agency assistance in making plans to visit Uruguay . Read the Department of State Background Notes
on Uruguay
for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All United States citizens entering Uruguay for business ... Read this Article
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Uruguayan(s).
Population (July 2008): 3.5 million.
Annual growth rate: 0.5%.
Ethnic groups (est.): European descent 88%, African descent 4%, mestizo 8%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 66%, Protestant and other Christian 2%, Jewish 1%, non-professing or other 31%.
Language: Spanish.
Education: Literacy (2004)--98%.
Health (2005): Life expectancy--76.1 yrs. (79.5 yrs females; 72.9 yrs. males). Infant mortality rate--11.6/1,000.
Work force (1.3 million, 2006): ... Read this Article
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Location: Uruguay is Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil See Map
Capital: name: Montevideo
geographic coordinates: 34 53 S, 56 11 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March
Currency (Code): Uruguayan peso (UYU) ...More
Area: total: 176,220 sq km , land: 173,620 sq km , water: 2,600 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: slightly smaller than the state of Washington
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m , highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 3,477,778 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 9.2% (2007 est.)
Ethnic Groups: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent)
Religion: Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006)
Languages: Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)
More Statistics
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| History
The only inhabitants of Uruguay before European colonization of the area were the Charrua Indians, a small tribe driven south by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay. The Spanish discovered the territory of present-day Uruguay in 1516, but the Indians' fierce resistance to conquest, combined with the absence of gold and ... Read this Article
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| Geographic Info for Uruguay : |
Geography
Area: 176,220 sq. km. (68,000 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than the state of Washington.
Cities: Capital--Montevideo (est. pop. 1.4 million).
Terrain: Plains and low hills, fertile coastal lowland; 84% agricultural.
Climate: Temperate.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Uruguayan(s).
Population (July 2008): 3.5 million.
Annual growth rate: 0.5%.
Ethnic groups (est.): European descent 88%, African descent 4%, mestizo 8%.
Religions: ... Read this Article
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