Uruguay

Uruguay

area:	177,410sq km (68,498 sq mi)
population:	3,322,141
capital (population):	Montevideo (1,380,962)
government:	Multiparty republic
ethnic groups:	White 86%, Mestizo 8%, Mulatto or Black 6%
languages:	Spanish (official)
religions:	Christianity (Roman Catholic 66%, Protestant 2%), Judaism 1%
currency:	Uruguay peso = 100 centésimos

Republic in South America; the capital is Montevideo.

Land and climate

Uruguay consists of low-lying plains and hills, rising to a highest point, Mirador Nacional, which is only 501m (1644 ft) above sea level. The main river in the interior is the Río Negro. The River Uruguay, which forms the country's w border, flows into the Río de la Plata, a large estuary leading into the South Atlantic Ocean. Uruguay has a mild climate, with rain throughout the year, although droughts sometimes occur. The summer months are pleasantly warm, especially near the coast. Grasslands cover 77% of Uruguay and arable land about 7%. Trees such as acacia, aloe, eucalyptus, and willow grow along the river valleys. Uruguay also has commercial tree plantations, including trees such as quebracho.

History

The original Native American inhabitants of Uruguay have largely disappeared. Many were killed by Europeans, others died of European diseases, while some fled into the interior. The first European to arrive in Uruguay was a Spanish navigator in 1516, but few Europeans settled there until the late 17th century. In 1726, Spanish settlers founded Montevideo in order to prevent the Portuguese gaining influence in the area. By the late 18th century, Spaniards had settled in most of the country, and Uruguay became part of a colony called the Viceroyalty of La Plata, which also included Argentina, Paraguay, and parts of Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile. In 1820 Brazil annexed Uruguay, ending Spanish rule. In 1825, Uruguayans, supported by Argentina, began a struggle for independence. Finally, Brazil and Argentina recognized Uruguay as an independent republic in 1828. Social and economic development was slow in the 19th century, with many revolutions and counter-revolutions. Following the election of Batlle y Ordóñez as president in 1903, however, Uruguay became a more democratic and stable country. From the 1950s, economic problems caused unrest. Terrorist groups, notably the Tupamaros, carried out murders and kidnappings. The army crushed the Tupamaros in 1972, and then took over the government in 1973. Repressive military rule continued until 1984, when civilian rule returned. Economic difficulties and high foreign debt continued to threaten stability, provoking massive emigration. Julio María Sanguinetti, who led Uruguay back to civilian rule in the 1980s, was re-elected president in 1994. In 2000, he was succeeded by Jorge Batlle.

Economy

Uruguay is an upper-middle-income developing country (2000 GDP per capita, US$ 9300). Agriculture employs only 5% of the workforce, but farm products, notably hides and leather goods, beef and wool, are the leading exports. The leading manufacturing industries, situated mainly in and around Montevideo, are concerned with processing farm produce. Other manufactures include beer, cement, textiles, and tyres. Tourism is important.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.turismo.gub.uy/conozca/ingles