Map of Uruguay
Uruguay is a small country
on the southeastern coast of
South America.
Long sandy beaches line
the Atlantic coast, attracting
many tourists and gently
rolling grasslands cover
almost all of the interior.
Most Uruguayans are descended
from Spanish settlers who came
to the country in the 1600's
and 1700's and Italian immigrants who arrived
during the 1800's and early 1900's.
Spanish is the nation's official
language.
Most Uruguayans live
in urban areas, Montevideo, the capital
and largest city, has about half
of the nation's total population, and
serves as the commercial, political,
and cultural hub of the
nation.
Mild climate and
abundant natural pasture with
large cattle and
sheep ranches are the main base
of the economy.
The processing of meat,
wool, and other livestock
products are the main
manufacturing industries.
Government, tourism, and
transportation, employ more
than half of the
working force.
American Indians were the
original inhabitants of
Uruguay.
Almost all of them were
eventually killed by the early
settlers or died of
diseases brought by them.
Spanish and Portuguese
forces fought for over Uruguay
during the 1700's, and
Brazil later tried
to dominate the country.
In 1828, Uruguay became an
independent republic.
It developed into a prosperous
and democratic nations in the early
1900's.
During the 1950's, 1960's
and 1970's economic decline brought
about a period of unrest
and military rule.
Uruguay is a republic.
Democratic governments have
ruled Uruguay during most of the
1900's, but remains saddled
with substantial external debts.
The president
is elected to a five-year term.
he president appoints a Council of
Ministers, that head various
government divisions.
The country is
divided into 19 departments for
purposes of local government, with a
governor and a legislature to
handle departmental affairs.
Uruguay has
over 3 million people.
Official language is Spanish.
Despite inflation
and other economic problems most
Uruguayans enjoy a comfortable standard
of living with adequate housing
and food and medical care.
Uruguay has
fewer urban slums than do most
other Latin American countries.
Electricity, running water,
and sewers are available to all but the
poorest city dwellers.
Most Uruguayans dress in
Western style, but some
gauchos still wear at least
part of the traditional costume, including a
flat, wide-brimmed hat, a
blanket-like poncho, and
baggy trousers tucked
into boots.
A favourite Uruguayan meal
is a gaucho speciality called
parrillada criolla.
A typical version consists of a
mixture of barbecued
chorizos (sausages), rinones
(kidneys), and strips of beef, and the common
beverage is a kind of tea
called yerba mate or simply mate.
Soccer is the most popular
sport and games usually
draw huge crowds.
Most Uruguayans belong to the
Roman Catholic Church.
The government provides
free public schooling up
to university level.
Uruguay also has many
private schools.
The nation's
large university is in Montevideo.
The Rio Negro, one of the
largest river in the interior, flows
southwestward through the
heart of the lowlands.
A dam on the river
formed Uruguay's only large
lake, Lake Rincon del Bonete.
Uruguay has a mild, humid climate.
Temperatures in Montevideo average 11 °C in July,
the coldest month, and 23 °C in
January, the warmest month.
Good roads and railway system
link all parts of Uruguay.
An excellent government-operated
bus system that serves
the entire nation.
A number of private companies
also offer bus services.
Montevideo serves as
Uruguay's major ocean port.
The main international
airport is located
near Montevideo.
In 1825, a group of Uruguayan
patriots called "The
Immortal Thirty-three" revolted
against Brazil and renewed the struggle
for independence.
Within a few months,
their armies held much of the
countryside.
Argentina and the British
supported the patriots in the
war against Brazil.
In 1828, Brazil and
Argentina recognized Uruguay as
an independent republic.
Uruguay adopted its first constitution in
1830.
Jose Fructuoso Rivera,
one of the patriot leaders, became the
nation's first president.
In 1836 civil war broke out
between Colorados
(mainly urban dwellers) and
the Blancos (rural dwellers and ranch
owners).
Even today's main
parties are successors
of these parties.
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