One of the smallest of the countries of South America, the Republic of Uruguay
(Republica Oriental del Uruguay) is a buffer between Latin America's two largest and most
powerful republics. Covering an area of about 68,000 square miles (176,000 square kilometers),
the nation is dwarfed by its giant neighbors Brazil, to the north, and Argentina, to the west and
south. The Atlantic Ocean on the east and the estuary of the Rio de la Plata on the south create
a maritime influence that somewhat modifies climatic extremes. They also give Uruguay
immediate access to international trade. Roughly triangular in shape, Uruguay stretches less than
350 miles (560 kilometers) from north to south and about 300 miles (480 kilometers) from west
to east.
Official Name. Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
Capital. Montevideo.
Area. 68,037 square miles (176,215 square kilometers).
Population (1987 estimate). 3,058,000; 45.3 persons per square mile (17.5 persons per
square kilometer); 86.2 percent urban, 13.8 percent rural.
Major Language. Spanish (official).
Major Religion. Roman Catholicism.
Literacy. 95.3 percent.
Highest Peak. Mirador Nacional.
Major Rivers. Guareim, Negro, Rio de la Plata, Uruguay.
Form of Government. Republic.
Head of State and Government. President.
Legislature. General Assembly.
Voting Qualification. Age 18.
Political Divisions. 19 departments.
Major Cities (1985 estimate). Montevideo (1,246,500), Salto (77,400), Paysandu (75,200),
Las Piedras (61,300), Rivera (55,400).
Chief Manufactured and Mined Products. Textiles, chemicals, cement, processed food,
refined petroleum, beverages, shoes, transport equipment, sand, amethyst, granite, marble.
Chief Agricultural Products. Crops sugarcane, wheat, rice, sugar beets, sorghum, potatoes,
grapes, corn. Livestock cattle, sheep.
Monetary Unit. 1 Uruguayan new peso = 100 centesimos.
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Excerpted from Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia
Copyright (c) 1994, 1995 Compton's NewMedia, Inc. All Rights Reserved