Page last updated on January 31, 2014
Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century launched widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil
total: 176,215 sq km
country comparison to the world: 91
land: 175,015 sq km
water: 1,200 sq km
slightly smaller than the state of Washington
total: 1,648 km
border countries: Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or edge of continental margin
warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m
arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish
arable land: 10.25%
permanent crops: 0.22%
other: 89.52% (2011)
total: 3.66 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%)
per capita: 1,101 cu m/yr (2000)
seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts
water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising
noun: Uruguayan(s)
adjective: Uruguayan
white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent)
Spanish (official), Portunol, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)
Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006)
Uruguay rates high for most development indicators and is known for its secularism, liberal social laws, and well-developed social security, health, and educational systems. It is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where the entire population has access to clean water. Uruguay's provision of free primary through university education has contributed to the country's high levels of literacy and educational attainment. However, the emigration of human capital has diminished the state's return on its investment in education. Remittances from the roughly 18% of Uruguayans abroad amount to less than 1 percent of national GDP. The emigration of young adults and a low birth rate are causing Uruguay's population to age rapidly.
3,324,460 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
0-14 years: 21.4% (male 361,589/female 349,257)
15-24 years: 16% (male 269,649/female 262,582)
25-54 years: 38.8% (male 635,252/female 655,518)
55-64 years: 9.9% (male 155,192/female 174,976)
65 years and over: 13.9% (male 183,450/female 276,995) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 56.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 34.1 %
elderly dependency ratio: 22 %
potential support ratio: 4.5 (2013)
total: 34.1 years
male: 32.4 years
female: 35.7 years (2013 est.)
0.25% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
13.28 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
9.52 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
-1.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
urban population: 92% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
MONTEVIDEO (capital) 1.633 million (2009)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
29 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 125
total: 9.2 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 149
male: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 76.61 years
country comparison to the world: 73
male: 73.47 years
female: 79.86 years (2013 est.)
1.86 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
77%
note: percent of women aged 15-50 (2004)
8% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 61
3.74 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
0.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
9,900 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
24.8% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 64
6% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 82
2.9% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 144
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.1%
male: 97.6%
female: 98.5% (2010 est.)
total: 16 years
male: 14 years
female: 17 years (2010)
total number: 51,879
percentage: 7 % (2006 est.)
total: 18.5%
country comparison to the world: 66
male: 14.7%
female: 23.6% (2012)
conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
conventional short form: Uruguay
local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay
local short form: Uruguay
former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province
name: Montevideo
geographic coordinates: 34 51 S, 56 10 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March
19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres
25 August 1825 (from Brazil)
Independence Day, 25 August (1825)
several previous; latest approved by plebiscite 27 November 1966, effective 15 February 1967; amended several times, last in 2004 (2013)
civil law system based on the Spanish civil code
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
chief of state: President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in October 2014)
election results: Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano elected president; percent of vote - Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano 54.8%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 45.2%
bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; vice president has one vote in the Senate) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 16, Blanco 9, Colorado Party 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 50, Blanco 30, Colorado Party 17, Independent Party 2
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 5 judges)
judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the president and appointed in joint conference of the General Assembly; judges appointed for 10-year terms, with re-election after a lapse of 5 years following the previous term
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; District Courts (Juzagados Letrados); Peace Courts (Juzagados de Paz); Rural Courts (Juzgados Rurales)
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as the Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [Monica XAVIER] (a broad governing coalition that includes Popular Participation Movement (MPP), New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [vacant], Communist Party [Eduardo LORIER], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI Saragoza], and Vertiente Artiguista [Enrique RUBIO])
Chamber of Commerce and Export of Agriproducts
other: B'nai Brith; Catholic Church; students
CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois (since 11 September 2012)
chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316
FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Julissa REYNOSO (since 30 March 2012)
embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200
mailing address: APO AA 34035
telephone: [598] (2) 1770-2000
FAX: [598] (2) 1770-2128
nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy; the stripes represent the nine original departments of Uruguay; the sun symbol evokes the legend of the sun breaking through the clouds on 25 May 1810 as independence was first declared from Spain (Uruguay subsequently won its independence from Brazil)
note: the banner was inspired by the national colors of Argentina and by the design of the US flag
Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)
name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay)
lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI
note: adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as "Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!" ("Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!"); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); generally only the first verse and chorus are sung
Uruguay has a free market economy characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending. Following financial difficulties in the late 1990s and early 2000s, economic growth for Uruguay averaged 8% annually during the period 2004-08. The 2008-09 global financial crisis put a brake on Uruguay's vigorous growth, which decelerated to 2.6% in 2009. Nevertheless, the country managed to avoid a recession and keep positive growth rates, mainly through higher public expenditure and investment, and GDP growth reached 8.9% in 2010 but fell to about 3.5% in 2012, the result of a renewed slowdown in the global economy and in Uruguay's main trade partners and Common Market of the South (Mercosur) counterparts, Argentina and Brazil. Uruguay has sought to expand trade within Mercosur and with non-Mercosur members. Uruguay''s total merchandise trade with Mercosur since 2006 has increased by nearly 70% to more than $5 billion while its total trade with the world has almost doubled to roughly $20 billion.
$53.63 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$49.24 billion (2012 est.)
3.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$15,900 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
15.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
household consumption: 68.7%
government consumption: 13.6%
investment in fixed capital: 22.1%
investment in inventories: -0.9%
exports of goods and services: 26.3%
imports of goods and services: -29.7%
agriculture: 7.4%
industry: 20.9%
services: 71.8% (2012 est.)
soybeans, rice, wheat; beef, dairy products; fish; lumber, cellulose
food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages
3.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
1.691 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
agriculture: 13%
industry: 14%
services: 73% (2010 est.)
6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 34.4% (2010 est.)
45.3 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 40
revenues: $14.25 billion
expenditures: $15.63 billion (2012 est.)
28.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
-2.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
59.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
note: data cover general government debt, and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions.
8.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
9% (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 29
note: Uruguay's central bank uses the benchmark interest rate, rather than the discount rate, to conduct monetary policy; the rates shown here are the benchmark rates
11.2% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$5.32 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$16.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$16.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$231 million (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 112
$-2.69 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
$9.89 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
beef, soybeans, cellulose, rice, wheat, wood, dairy products; wool
Brazil 18.6%, China 17.9%, Argentina 6.2%, Germany 4.3% (2012)
$12.26 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
refined oil, crude oil, passenger and other transportation vehicles, vehicle parts, cellular phones
China 16.4%, Brazil 14.9%, Argentina 14.6%, US 9.1%, Paraguay 7.3% (2012)
$13.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$16.02 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
$17.76 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$357 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar -
9.5 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
7.96 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
19 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
477 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
2.588 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
39.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
59.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
0.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
1,183 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
38,680 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
0 bbl (1 January 2009 es)
country comparison to the world: 198
43,440 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
51,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
4,656 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
16,420 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
80 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
80 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 201
8.326 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
1.01 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 76
5 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 111
general assessment: fully digitalized
domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has reached 170 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
mixture of privately owned and state-run broadcast media; more than 100 commercial radio stations and about 20 TV channels; cable TV is available; many community radio and TV stations; adopted the hybrid Japanese/Brazilian HDTV standard (ISDB-T) in December 2010 (2010)
1.036 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 45
1.405 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 86
133 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 43
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 2 (2013)
total: 122
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 40
under 914 m:
gas 257 km; oil 160 km (2013)
total: 1,641 km
country comparison to the world: 77
standard gauge: 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (1,200 km operational) (2010)
total: 77,732 km
country comparison to the world: 63
paved: 7,743 km
unpaved: 69,989 km (2010)
1,600 km (2011)
country comparison to the world: 50
total: 16
country comparison to the world: 100
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 8 (Argentina 1, Denmark 1, Greece 1, Spain 5)
registered in other countries: 1 (Liberia 1) (2010)
major seaport(s): Montevideo
Uruguayan Armed Forces: Uruguayan National Army (Ejercito Nacional Uruguaya, ENU), Uruguayan National Navy (Armada Nacional del Uruguay; includes naval air arm, Naval Rifle Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales, Fusna), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Uruguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2012)
18-30 years of age (18-22 years of age for navy) for male or female voluntary military service; up to 40 years of age for specialists; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies; minimum 6-year education (2013)
males age 16-49: 771,159
females age 16-49: 780,932 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 649,025
females age 16-49: 654,903 (2010 est.)
male: 27,564
female: 26,811 (2010 est.)
1.95% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 133
in 2010, the ICJ ruled in favor of Uruguay's operation of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina; the two countries formed a joint pollution monitoring regime; uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border
current situation: Uruguay is a source country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking and, to a lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children exploited in forced labor; most victims are women and girls exploited in sex trafficking; some Uruguayan women lured by fraudulent employment offers in Spain, Italy, and Argentina are forced into prostitution; foreign workers in domestic service and agriculture are vulnerable to forced labor in Uruguay; some human trafficking cases are reportedly linked to crime rings
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Uruguay does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government investigated and prosecuted several trafficking cases during 2012 but reported no convictions; authorities have increased funding and staffing for the national women's institute unit that is focused on sex trafficking and domestic violence, but specialized services remain inadequate and victim care services outside the capital are uneven; officials lack formal procedures for identifying trafficking victims (2013)
