About Uruguay
Uruguay is a nation located in the southeastern part of South America. Its bordering countries are Brazil and Argentina, with the South Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. Almost half of the people in Uruguay live in its capital and largest city, Montevideo. Uruguay has traditionally been more affluent than other countries in South America, and is known for its advanced education, social security systems, and liberal social laws.
Quick Facts
Official name:
Eastern Republic of Uruguay (República Oriental del Uruguay)
Capital:
Montevideo
Languages:
Spanish (Official)
Portuñol (Mix of Spanish and Portuguese)
Population:
3,316,328 (July 2012 est.)
Head of Government:
President José Mujica Cordano (since 1 March 2010)
Government:
Constitutional republic
Currency:
Uruguayan peso (UYU)
GDP:
$50.91 billion (2011 est.)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006)
National holidays:
New Year's Day, January 1
Landing of the 33 Patriots, April 19
Labor Day, May 1
Battle of Las Piedras, May 17–18
Birthday of José Artigas, June 19
Constitution Day, July 18
Independence Day, August 25
Columbus Day, October 12
Flag
The color sky-blue is a symbol that represents freedom and independence. It is present in the four horizontal stripes of the flag that alternate with five white ones. A sun with a face in the upper corner also symbolizes independence.
Geography
Area:
Total: 175,215 sq km
Land: 175,015 sq km
Water: 1,200 sq km
Area comparison:
Slightly smaller than the state of Washington; Second smallest country in South America
Climate:
warm temperate; freezing temperatures are very rare
Terrain:
Mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
Elevation extremes:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m; Cerro Catedral 514 m
Natural resources:
arable land, hydro-power, minor minerals, fish
Export goods:
beef, soybeans, cellulose, rice, wheat, wood, dairy products, wool
Main export partners:
Brazil 19.3%, China 14.2%, Argentina 6.8%, Germany 6.0%, Venezuela 4.3% (2011)
Import goods:
refined oil, crude oil, passenger and other transportation vehicles, vehicle parts, cellular phones
Main import partners:
Brazil 19.3%, China 14.2%, Germany 6.0%, Venezuela 4.3% (2011)
Natural Hazards:
seasonally high winds, droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts
Environmental issues:
water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal
Total: 175,215 sq km
Land: 175,015 sq km
Water: 1,200 sq km
Area comparison:
Slightly smaller than the state of Washington; Second smallest country in South America
Climate:
warm temperate; freezing temperatures are very rare
Terrain:
Mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
Elevation extremes:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m; Cerro Catedral 514 m
Natural resources:
arable land, hydro-power, minor minerals, fish
Export goods:
beef, soybeans, cellulose, rice, wheat, wood, dairy products, wool
Main export partners:
Brazil 19.3%, China 14.2%, Argentina 6.8%, Germany 6.0%, Venezuela 4.3% (2011)
Import goods:
refined oil, crude oil, passenger and other transportation vehicles, vehicle parts, cellular phones
Main import partners:
Brazil 19.3%, China 14.2%, Germany 6.0%, Venezuela 4.3% (2011)
Natural Hazards:
seasonally high winds, droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts
Environmental issues:
water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal
People
Ethnic groups:
white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (almost non-existent)
Population Growth Rate:
0.24%
Birth Rate:
13.4 births/1,000 population
Death Rate:
9.55 deaths/1,000 population
Net Migration Rate:
1.45 migrants/1,000 population
Urban Population:
92% of total population
Life Expectancy:
76.41 years
Unemployment rate (ages 15-24):
male: 16.1%; female: 25.4%
white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (almost non-existent)
Population Growth Rate:
0.24%
Birth Rate:
13.4 births/1,000 population
Death Rate:
9.55 deaths/1,000 population
Net Migration Rate:
1.45 migrants/1,000 population
Urban Population:
92% of total population
Life Expectancy:
76.41 years
Unemployment rate (ages 15-24):
male: 16.1%; female: 25.4%