General Information

Surface on land: 176,215 km²
Jurisdictional waters: 137,567 km²
Total Surface: 313,782 km²
Population: 3,314,466 (data 2006)
Capital: Montevideo
Language: Spanish

National anthem

Political regime: Republican Democracy
Currency: Uruguayan Peso
Visa: Granted for 90 days
Migration requirements: From bordering countries: identity document - From the rest of the world: passport
Average temperatures: Spring: 17°C, Summer: 23°C, Autumn: 18°C, Winter: 12°C
National Holiday: August 25th, Declaration of Independence
Member of: U.N.O., O. A. S., ALADI, MERCOSUR
Constitution in force: November 28th, 1996
Population Density: 17.8 inhabitants per km²
Cultural Profile: Literacy: 96.2%, Students per teacher: 21
Official Educational System: lay, free and compulsory
Religion: Catholic 56.2% - Non religious 38.3% - Protestant 2% - Jewish: 1.7%

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is named after its geographic location to the east of the Uruguay River. This geographical reason as well as historical reasons caused the Uruguayans to be called 'Orientals', even if, obviously, Uruguay is situated in the Western Hemisphere. As for the word 'Uruguay', it comes form the Guarani language, meaning 'river where the birds live'.

Geographical Location

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is located in South America. Its eastern coast is on the Atlantic Ocean, between parallels 30° and 35° of South latitude and meridians 53°and 58° West longitude. It is thus located in the temperate area of the Southern Hemisphere, with sea predominance.

Borders

Uruguay is bounded in the North by the Federal Republic of Brazil; by the West by the Republic of Argentina, by the Uruguay River; by the South by the Río de la Plata and by the East by the Atlantic Ocean. Uruguay enjoys a privileged strategic position in the Southern Cone of the continent which substantially favors its regional integration policy: on the one hand as a way in and out for the countries of the River Plate basin, the second largest in the world and on the other hand, as a bridge between its two big neighboring countries: Argentina and Brazil, which are the two main economic centers of the region.

Its coast on the Atlantic Ocean ensure easy communication with the rest of the world, connecting it to the developed countries both in the economic and cultural aspect.

Territorial Surface

The Uruguayan territory covers 176,215 Km². It is a small country if compared to its large neighbors or to other American states, but in comparison to countries in other parts of the world, Uruguay is larger in size than many European and Central American countries, since its surface equals that of the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland put together. Furthermore, its territory is completely habitable, there are no barren areas and 90% of its surface is profitable. Apart from the territorial extension Uruguay has a total area of 120,684 Km² of territorial sea, plus the jurisdictional waters of its important rivers and lakes.

Hydrography

The Uruguayan land is slightly undulating, there are neither high mountains, nor very extended plains, its typical landscape is the peneplain which allows an easy journey. The highest parts are called "cuchillas" (big knives) due to the fact that they "cut" the running water.

The chain hills outstand in the landscape and make it more beautiful. The highest are the Cerro Catedral, 514 meters high which is the highest point in our national territory and Cerro de las Ánimas, 501 meters high, located in the Sierra de las Ánimas. There are also the Cerro de Montevideo, Arequita in the department of Lavalleja and Pan de Azúcar in the department of Maldonado among others of tourist interest.

The fluvial network is rich and dense and it travels through the whole Uruguayan territory with large rivers that belong to the Atlantic pouring and four important hydrographic basins: the River Plate basin, the Uruguay river basin, the Laguna Merín basin and the Río Negro basin. It is more than obvious to mention the importance of these rivers and their contributions as communication channels, potable water and power providers; through the big dams they provide the whole country with energy.

Coasts

The Uruguayan coast covers an extension of 450 Km of coasts along the River Plate and 220 Km of marine coasts along the Atlantic Ocean. This generates a long chain of sandy beaches of great tourist interest due to their beauty.

Political map

The Uruguayan territory is divided in 19 departments. Its capital is Montevideo, located on the Bay of the Río de la Plata, with a high quality natural port and with the characteristics of a modern metropolis, regarding buildings and services.

Climate

Uruguay’s location in the Austral Temperate Zone of the Southern Hemisphere gives it a mild climate. The average temperature in Spring is 17°C; in Autumn 18° and in Winter 12°. The extreme temperatures reach, as an exception, 40° in the Summer and 2° or 3° below zero in Winter. There are many sunny days in the year but the sudden changes in the weather are quite frequent. The winds blow mainly from the north, humid and hot and the Pamper and Southern winds are cold and dry.

Population

The population of Uruguay is of European origin, basically Spanish and Italian but there are other nationalities, due to the country’s open doors policy. There is also a small presence of the black race which arrived to our country from the coasts of Africa at the times of the Spanish domination. Regarding the indigenous population, the last remaining Indians disappeared from our national territory more than one century ago, this meaning a great difference between the Uruguayan population and the population of the rest of the Latin American countries.

The last population census determined the population in Uruguay is 2.940.300 inhabitants. This, translated into the number of people per square kilometer, says our country has a low density. However, even if Uruguay is an agricultural country, its population is essentially urban (80%) and 43% is concentrated in Montevideo. Its birth rate is low, the lowest in Latin America but the life expectation is very high: 72 years for men and 74 for women, showing the high sanity and nutrition standards.

The Uruguayan people enjoy a high cultural level, they are open and solicitous to the visitors, of simple and familiar habits, lovers of life in the open air and of sports, mainly football, the national sport and the national passion. Regarding the taste in food, the famous "churrasco" (beef steak) and "asado con cuero" (grilled beef with the skin) of excellent Uruguayan beef are the favorites.

Education

The Uruguayan official educational system offers lay, free and compulsory education. This has been so ever since 1877 for Primary Education, the Secondary Education was later made compulsory and the university studies are for free. Regarding laity, private institutes offer religion. One of the most outstanding achievements of our educational system is that it reaches 94% of the children over the age of 10.

Government

Uruguay has adopted the democratic republican form of government under a presidential system, dividing the State in the classical three powers: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. According to the present Constitution, the Uruguayan people, lover of liberty and democracy, chooses the authorities that shall rule the country.

Religion

The Uruguayan Constitution guarantees the religious freedom, hence, there are many religions in the country. However, the Catholic religion has been present all through the country’s history and is predominant in the population.

More information:

- Location and Market Access
- Free Ports and Free Zones
- Human Resources
- Infrastructure

Fuentes: http://www.uruguayxxi.gub.uy | http://www.turismo.gub.uy/