Country Information on Uruguay 

Terrain

The south-eastern part of the country consists of vast grassland plains, with the exception of the marshland exposed to the tides along the Atlantic shore. The north of the country has quite a steep topography with hilly ranges that range from 200 to 500 m. Cerro Catedral (part of the Sierra de Carapé) is the country's highest peak, at 513 m above sea level. The country is dominated by the hilly range of Cuchilla Grande in the east and the Cuchilla Haedo in the north. Cuchillas Santa Ana and Negra are located in the region bordering Brazil. The lowland regions that are predominant in the south are suitable for cattle rearing. Most of the country's woodland is found along the rivers.

Climate

Uruguay's climate is temperate. The average temperature during the warmest months (January and February) is 21.7°C and it is 10°C in the coldest month (July). During the winter months, cold storms, which are known as "pamperos," blow in from the south-west.

Fauna/Flora

Natural grasslands are the typical vegetation in Uruguay. Other evergreens are the mimosa, rosemary, and ceibo trees. Palms grow in the south-east, in the north, and in the valleys of the central region. Pine and eucalyptus trees have been planted in the coastal areas to stop the movement of sand. The cypress, oak, cedar, mulberry and magnolia trees are other trees that are commonly found that spread easily. Pumas, seals, tapirs, and the rhea (similar to an ostrich) have now become quite rare. Deer, wild boars, otters, foxes, wildcats, armadillos, anteaters, and various rodents are commonly found. Vultures, burrowing owls, wild turkeys, parakeets, cardinals, and humming birds are some of the bird species that are found. Reptiles that are found include lizards, tortoises and rattlesnakes. The habitat of alligators is restricted to the upper waters of the Uruguay River.

History/Politics

Before the arrival of the Spanish, three very different ethnic groups lived in present-day Uruguay. Although the Spanish explorer Juan Díaz de Solís discovered the country in 1516, the real colonization of the region did not begin until 1611, with the introduction of cattle rearing. Conflicts over territorial issues with Brazil led to the governor of Buenos Aires being assigned the task of establishing a fortress in Montevideo in 1724. After unsuccessful wars of independence and its annexation to Brazil, Uruguay finally gained independence when the Oriental Republic of Uruguay was established in 1830. The following years were characterized by ongoing conflicts between the conservative Blancos and the more liberal Colorados.

José Batlle assumed the presidency in 1903 and laid the foundations of modern-day Uruguay by taking European influences and winning the support of the immigrants. Under the José Batlle government, high surplus income from agriculture made it possible to develop social and educational services and promote a domestically oriented economy based on consumer goods. World War II saw the country's meat-processing industry profit from supplying the Allies. In 1958, after 93 years of Colorado rule, the Blancos won the elections in a landslide. Faced with economic recession, the new government was forced to introduce economic reforms which did not bring the desired results. The Colorado Party was re-elected in 1966, but was also unable to bring the economic situation under control, which led to the Tupamaro guerrilla movement becoming active.

The elections on 28 November 1971 saw the Colorado candidate, Juan María Bordaberry, and the Blanco candidate obtain almost exactly the same number of votes. In February 1972, the Electoral Court declared Bordaberry to be President. In the meantime, the Tupamaro became more violent, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency between April and September 1972. The armed forces finally succeeded in defeating the guerrillas and began to gain political power, until they removed Bordaberry from office in 1976.

Presidential elections (supervised by the armed forces) did not take place until 1984. Julio María Sanguinetti of the Colorado Party then became President and was succeeded by Luis Alberto Lacalle of the Blanco Party in 1989. In the 1994 presidential elections Julio María Sanguinetti, the candidate of the Colorado Party, was elected to a second term as President and was succeeded his party's candidate, Jorge Batlle in 1999. In March 2005, Tavaré Vásquez of the Frente Amplio party became President, which led to a radical change in Uruguayan politics.

Economy

Although industry is increasing in importance, livestock raising forms the base of economic life. Most Uruguayan businesses are privately owned. However, the government operates the state railways, electricity company, telephones, the national airline company and the state broadcasting service. The state has encouraged the development of export-oriented manufacturing industries. The leading branches of industry are the manufacture of wool, cotton and textiles, and the processing of food, primarily meat. Oil refining, the cement industry and the production of clothing, steel, aluminium, electrical equipment, and chemicals are other important sectors in industry. Unemployment was 18.4% in 2003 and inflation was 19.5%.

Culture

Western European traditions dominate present-day Uruguay. The local indigenous peoples were pushed out of their territories until the beginning of the 19th century by European immigrants, mainly from Spain and Italy, which is why Uruguay has adopted the culture and customs of these countries. The country's folk music and dances are quite similar to those of Argentina, in both countries the gaucho (South American cowboy) has become the subject of folklore and music. The government and the middle class support the theatre, concerts, museums, and literary publications. Literary figures such as Pedro Figari, José Enrique Rodó, and Mario Benedetti are internationally acclaimed. Mauricio Rosencof is a very popular playwright, who was imprisoned for long periods on political grounds. Uruguayans are passionate about Carnival, which is celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday immediately before Ash Wednesday. Lavish and seemingly endless processions of people in fancy dress move through the streets of Montevideo during these two days and are accompanied by a large variety of bands. Soccer is by far the most popular sport in Uruguay. Polo, tennis and golf are played.