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President: Dr. Tabaré Vázquez Vice-President: Mr. Rodolfo Nin Novoa Earth’s Surface in Hectares: 176.215 Km2 Territorial Waters: 137.567 Km2 Total Area: 313.782 Km2 Population: 3.151.662 (1996survey) Capital City: Montevideo Language: Spanish
Political Regime: Representative Republican Democracy Currency: Uruguayan Peso Visa: Granted for 90 days Migration Requirements: Neighboring Countries: Identity Card Rest of the World: Passport Average Temperatures: Spring: 17ºC; Summer: 23ºC; Autumn: 18ºC; Winter: 12ºC National Public Holidays: 01/01; 05/01; 07/18; 08/25; 12/25.
Member of: U.N.O.; A.C.O.; ALADI; MERCOSUR. Current Constitution: November 28th, 1996 Population Density: 17.8 inhabitants per Km2 Cultural Profile: Literacy: 96.2%; Students per teacher: 21 Official Educational System: Secular, Free, Compulsory Religion: Catholics: 56.2%; Non religious: 38.3%; Protestants: 2%; Jews: 1.7% Geographical Position: República Oriental del Uruguay is situated between 30º and 35º South Latitude and between 53º and 58º West Longitude, in the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere. It has boundaries with 2 big countries: N and NE with Brazil; W and S with Argentina. It has a wide and convenient way out into the Atlantic Ocean and is situated at the end of a large fluvial bowl, that of the “El Plata” which takes in 3 million Km2 and includes areas from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. All this gives Uruguay vital importance from the Regional point of view that makes this country final receptor of the commerce in these areas. Earth Surface, Geomorphologic Structure and Relief Map: Although Uruguay looks small, the continental area can keep Denmark, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland comfortably, besides 90% of its territory is habitable. The Uruguayan territory is firmly seated on the continental South American basement with most stable geological calm. 80% of the territory are planes, there are no mountains, the highest point is Cerro Catedral in Maldonado of 514 m. The plains are mainly in the W, S and E. Hydrography: The fluvial net is dense and rich, wide rivers run over the country. These rivers belong to the Atlantic slope, among them 4 slopes can be distinguished: Rio de la Plata, Rio Uruguay, Laguna Merin and Rio Negro. Obviously these are important navigable flows, for commerce and communications, suppliers of drinkable water and generators of electricity through big dams. Shores: Uruguay has 450 km of coasts along the Rio de la Plata and 220 km of maritime coasts along the Atlantic Ocean, which offer a chain of beautiful beaches all along. Political Map: The country is divided into 19 departments of which Montevideo is the Capital City, built on the Rio de la Plata with an exceptional natural harbor, besides it has the characteristics of a modern metropolis regarding services and architecture. Climate: As it is situated in the Austral temperate zone of the Southern hemisphere, Uruguay enjoys a moderate climate. The average temperature in Spring is 17ºC; in Summer it’s 25ºC; Autumn, 18ºC and Winter 12ºC. The extreme temperatures exceptionally reach 40ºC in Summer and –2º or –3ºC in Winter. All the year round there are frequently sunny days, although weather changes are common. The predominant winds are from the N, damp and warm, and the “Pampero” (W) and from the South which are dry and cold. The winds flow at an average speed of 15km/h. Rainfall: The average annual rainfall is 1175mm Population: The population in Uruguay is from European origin, from Italy and Spain mainly and due to the open door migratory policy, there are also from other origins. There is also some presence of black race descendants of the Africans brought by the Spaniards during the Colony. As for the aboriginal race, disappeared more than a century ago from all over the territory which makes the Uruguayan population different from the rest of the Latin American countries populations. According to the last National Survey, the population is 2.940.300 inhabitants. It is a quantity, that, due to the amount of km2 of the country, makes it a low density. Nevertheless, in spite of being Uruguay a cattle breeding country its population is mainly urban (80%), of which 43% live in Montevideo, nearly half of it. Its birth rate is low, the lowest in South America. However, its life expectancy is high, reaching 72 years for the man and 74 for the woman, this indicates satisfactory degree of health and food. The Uruguayan people show a good cultural level. They are open and obliging. Of simple tastes and family habits. They love being in the open and sports like football above all, which is the passion and the national sport for excellency. As for their gastronomic tastes, the famous “churrasco” and cow grilled meat with its leather, are their preferences.
Education: The official educational system in Uruguay imparts a secular, free and compulsory education. This is so since 1877 for primary school, and now it has been extended for secondary school too, and free education for University students. Regarding secular, it does not prohibit religious education in private institutes. One of the achievements in Uruguay is the high level of literacy, which is about 95% in people over 10 years old.
Government: Uruguay has adopted republican and democratic way of government with presidential system. The works of the Government are divided into the classical powers: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. According to the present Constitution, the people are called to vote democratically for the authorities to rule the country.
Religion: The Constitution of the country guarantees total freedom of worship so there exist several different religions, but the Catholic one has been present in the country during all its history and is the predominant one among the Uruguayans.
(Source: Presidency of the Republic. Portal of the Uruguayan State: www.uruguay.gub.uy )
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