Uruguay Geography: Location, Facts & Overview

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Introduction to Geography of Uruguay

Uruguay, or Oriental Republic of Uruguay, a country in South America. It is on the Atlantic Ocean and is bordered by Brazil and Argentina. (The word "Oriental" refers to the country's location east of the Uruguay River.)

Facts in brief about UruguayCapital: Montevideo.Official language: Spanish.Official name: Republica Oriental del Uruguay (Eastern Republic of Uruguay).Area: 68,037 mi2 (176,215 km2). Greatest distances—north-south, about 330 mi (530 km); east-west, about 280 mi (450 km). Coastline—about 410 mi. (660 km).Elevation: Highest—Mirador Nacional, 1,644 ft (501 m) above sea level. Lowest—sea level.Population: Current estimate—3,370,000; density, 50 per mi2 (19 per km2); distribution, 93 percent urban, 7 percent rural. 2004 census—3,241,003.Chief products: Agriculture—cattle, sheep, wheat, corn, sugar cane, rice. Manufacturing—meat products, leather goods, textiles, beer, cement. Mining—gravel, sand, stone.National anthem: "Himno Nacional del Uruguay" ("National Hymn of Uruguay").Flag: Uruguay's flag and coat of arms were adopted in 1830. The flag has nine horizontal alternating stripes of blue and white. The sun, in the upper-left corner of the flag and at the top of the coat of arms, is a symbol of independence. The flag's stripes represent the nine departments in which the country was originally divided after gaining independence. On the coat of arms, the scales symbolize equality and justice, the horse and ox symbolize liberty and plenty, and the hill of Montevideo symbolizes strength.Money: Basic unit—Uruguayan peso. One hundred centisimos equal one peso.

Physical Geography

Uruguay is a country on the southeastern coast of South America.Land

Most of Uruguay's land is low-lying and flat to gently rolling. Grassy plains predominate, especially in the southwest, which is part of the Pampas region. Hilly land occurs as ridges called cuchillas. Uruguay's highest point, 1,644 feet (501 m), is in the Cuchilla Grande near the Atlantic coast. Sandy beaches, dunes, and shallow lagoons are among the features along the coast.

Water

Most of Uruguay is drained by the Uruguay and Negro rivers. The Uruguay flows southward along the western border and joins the Paraná River, forming the broad estuary known as the Río de la Plata. The Negro River flows southwestward across Uruguay from Brazil, draining the land between the Cuchilla Grande and the Cuchilla de Haedo. Large amounts of hydroelectric power are generated on the Uruguay and Negro rivers. Río Negro Reservoir, impounded by a hydroelectric dam on the Negro, is one of the largest human-made lakes in South America. Uruguay shares the Mirim Lagoon with Brazil.

Climate

A mild climate has helped make Uruguay's coast one of South America's most popular tourist attractions. January, the warmest month, averages 74° F. (23° C); June, the coldest, averages nearly 50° F. (10° C.). There are hot periods occasionally during summer. Rainfall totals about 40 to 50 inches (1,020 to 1,270 mm) a year. Short droughts periodically occur.

Economy

Uruguay has substantial amounts of hydroelectric power but few mineral resources. It has rich grazing and farm land, and agriculture has long been important, particularly the production of livestock and grains. Other important sectors of the economy include manufacturing, the service industries, and construction.

The government owns and operates the public transportation system, all public utilities and numerous other enterprises. Government-run enterprises employ a major share of Uruguay's workforce.

Agriculture and Fishing

More than 75 per cent of the land is used for grazing, and the raising of cattle and sheep is a major economic activity. Beef, milk, and wool are the main livestock products. Meat and other processed foods, wool, hides and skins, and leather goods make up most of Uruguay's exports. Uruguay's crops consist mainly of grains, chiefly wheat, rice, sorghum, and corn. Fishing is of increasing significance.

Manufacturing

Food processing, especially meat packing and the preparation of dairy products, is the leading manufacturing activity. Most of the other production is of personal and household items, such as textiles and clothing, leather and leather goods, metalwares, and paper, rubber, and tobacco products. Chemicals, transportation equipment, wine, and petroleum products are also significant.

Tourism is a large and growing industry. Sandy beaches and excellent seaside hotels and resorts attract many visitors each year. Punta del Este and Montevideo, the capital, are the main tourist centers.

Transportation

Uruguay has an efficient, nationwide transportation system. Highways radiate from Montevideo to the principal interior cities. Many of Uruguay's railways converge at the capital. The Río de la Plata and the Uruguay River are the country's most important waterways. Montevideo's airport and seaport are the largest and the busiest in the nation.

People

Population

More than 90 per cent of the people are of European descent, principally Spanish and Italian. Most of the rest are mestizos (of mixed Indian and Caucasian ancestry). Blacks and mulattoes form small minorities. Approximately half of the people live in and around Montevideo, the capital. The next largest cities are Salto, Paysandú, Las Piedras, and Rivera.

Language and Religion

Uruguay's primary language is Spanish Portunol and Brazilero are also spoken. About 65 per cent of the people are Roman Catholic. There are also numerous small Protestant groups, most of which are evangelistic. Since the adoption of the country's first constitution in 1830, there has been freedom of religion. Roman Catholicism was the official religion until 1919, when church and state were separated.

Education

Primary education is compulsory. Education at public institutions, including those at the college level, is free. The country has virtually eliminated illiteracy. Academic education is highly valued, and many more persons are trained in the professions than are needed, while serious personnel shortages exist in technical and vocational trades. The University of the Republic, founded in 1849, is in Montevideo. The Artigas Institute for Professors (1949) is a college-level institution for the training of secondary-school teachers.

Culture

Uruguay has a rich tradition in the arts. Its most famous literary figure is José Enrique Rodó (1871–1917), who in his essays fostered the idea of a purely Latin American culture. Other notable Uruguayan writers include the poet Juan Zorilla de San Martín, the novelist Eduardo Acevedo Díaz, and the playwright Florencio Sanchez. Most of the nation's classical music has been inspired by European music, but Eduardo Fabini, the country's best-known composer, utilized Uruguayan folk music. Styles of painting and sculpture generally follow international trends.

Much of the country's popular culture is based on the folklore, songs, dances, and handicrafts of the gaucho (cowboy).

The government sponsors a national orchestra, schools of drama and ballet, and a national theater. In Montevideo, there are numerous libraries, learned societies, and museums. The most important of these are the National Library, National Academy of Letters, National Historical Museum, National Museum of Fine Arts, and National Museum of Natural History.

Sports and Recreation

Soccer is the most popular sport. Horse racing, basketball, cycling, boxing, tennis, and golf are also popular. Uruguayans make much recreational use of the country's more than 200 miles (320 km) of beaches.

Government

Uruguay is governed under a constitution ratified in 1966 and revised in 1989 and 1997, which provides for a popularly elected president, a 30-member senate, and a 99-member chamber of representatives. Elections for national office are held every five years, and suffrage is universal for all citizens age 18 and over.

The president is assisted by the vice president and the Council of Ministers. The vice president also serves as the president of the senate and the chamber of representatives.

A five-member supreme court is the highest judicial body.