25 Fascinating Facts About Uruguay
Welcome to Uruguay, a nation that surpasses expectations and captures the hearts of everyone who travels there. This fascinating area, located on South America’s southeast coast, offers a captivating fusion of scenic landscapes, cultural treasures, and friendly locals. The narrow borders of Uruguay allow visitors to enjoy a range of things, from the stunning beaches of Punta del Este to the busy streets of Montevideo.
Explore the rich tapestry of history, be amazed by architectural marvels, and become engrossed in the fervour of tango and candombe. Enjoy the renowned cuisine, which includes savoury asados and dulce de leche sweets, or explore the stunning landscape, which is dotted with wineries and estancias. Uruguay seamlessly combines excitement with leisure, making it a must-visit location for tourists.
1. Uruguay was first inhabited around 13,000 years ago by hunter-gatherers
Flag of Uruguay (Rivera).svg Guilherme Paula, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hunter-gatherer people initially lived in the region that would become Uruguay 13,000 years ago. The Charra people were the major tribe at the time of European settlement. Other tribes, such as the Guarani and Chaná, existed when the Portuguese first established Colónia do Sacramento in 1680. Uruguay was colonized by Europeans relatively late in comparison to its neighbours.
The eastern region of the nation is home to a sizable archaeological collection of man-made tumuli known as “Cerritos de Indios,” some of which date back as far as 5,000 years. The people who built them left no written records, thus very little is known about them. However, there is evidence of pre-Columbian agriculture and extinct pre-Columbian dogs.
2. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to enter the region of present-day Uruguay
In 1512, the Portuguese became the first Europeans to set foot in the area that is now Uruguay. The first people to set foot in what is now Uruguay were the Spanish, who claimed the region for the throne when they landed in 1515. During the 16th and 17th centuries, there was little European settlement in the area due to the staunch resistance of the native population to conquest and the lack of significant resources.
After it, the Portuguese and Spanish empires clashed over Uruguay. Cattle were first brought in by the Spanish in 1603, and they quickly became a source of riches for the area. At Soriano on the Rio Negro, the first permanent Spanish settlement was established in 1624.
3. Uruguay defeated the Spanish authorities in 1811 in the Battle of Las Piedras
Battle of Las Piedras.jpg Juan Manuel Blanes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
On May 18, 1811, the Battle of Las Piedras took place as a part of the Uruguayan independence war. The Spanish authorities were successfully overthrown by José Gervasio Artigas, who went on to become Uruguay’s national hero, at the Battle of Las Piedras on May 18.
At a constituent assembly called by the new government in Buenos Aires in 1813, Artigas distinguished himself as a proponent of federalism and demanded political and economic autonomy for each region, and for the Banda Oriental in particular. However, Buenos Aires followed a system based on unitary centralism and the assembly refused to seat the Banda Oriental representatives.
4. Leadership wrangles in Uruguay brought about the Uruguayan Civil War
The Guerra Grande (“Great War”), commonly referred to as the Uruguayan Civil War, was a series of violent clashes between the proponents of Uruguayan independence. Officially, the war lasted from 1839 to 1851, although it was actually a component of wars that began in 1832 and lasted until the Blancos faction was finally defeated militarily in 1904.
The Colorado Party and the National Party were founded by supporters of the two rival presidents Rivera and Oribe. Both parties received funding and assistance from foreign governments, including the Empire of Brazil, the Argentine Confederation, the Province of Buenos Aires, as well as the British Empire and the Kingdom of France. Italian volunteers, including Giuseppe Garibaldi, were also recruited.
Since the military forces assisting the Colorado Party were so diverse in terms of national origin, it was difficult to justify their struggle in terms of “national liberation”; instead, the Colorado Party side claimed that they were protecting “humanity” and “civilization” against “tyranny”.
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5. José Fructuoso Rivera y Toscana was the first president of Uruguay
Fructuoso Rivera.jpg Baldassare Verazzi ( – 1886), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Jose Fructuoso Rivera y Toscana (17 October 1784–13 January 1854) was a Uruguayan general and patriot who participated in the protracted Uruguayan Civil War and fought to free Banda Oriental from Brazilian dominion. He also served three terms as president of Uruguay.
In addition, he is credited with founding the Colorado Party, which controlled Uruguay continuously from 1865 to 1958. During the Salsipuedes Massacre in 1831, he took the contentious choice to virtually eradicate the indigenous Charra.
6. José Batlle y Ordóñez elected in 1903 introduced free high school education
José Batlle y Ordóñez3.jpg http://www.forojoven.8m.com/pepebatlle.htm, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Don Pepe, also known as José Pablo Torcuato Batlle y Ordóez, was a well-known Uruguayan politician who led the Colorado Party to two terms as president of Uruguay between 23 May 1856 and 20 October 1929. He was generally lauded for bringing his political ideology, Batllism, to South America and for his role in modernizing Uruguay by enacting major welfare state reforms. He was the son of a former president.
He was the acting president for a few weeks in 1898. Later, he was chosen to serve as president for two terms, from 1911 to 1915 and from 1903 to 1907. He continues to be one of the most well-liked presidents in Uruguay, largely because of his work as a social reformer.
He is credited with establishing free high school education, universal suffrage, the eight-hour workday, and unemployment compensation, all of which were influenced by Krausist liberalism. He played a significant role in Uruguay’s secularization movement, which resulted in the separation of the state and the Catholic Church.
7. In 1968 a state of emergency was declared in Uruguay
My visit to salto uruguay.jpg Nahura99, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In 1968, President Jorge Pacheco proclaimed a state of emergency, and in 1972, he further suspended civil liberties. In 1973, as economic and political unrest grew, President Juan Mara Bordaberry ordered the armed forces to dissolve Parliament and install a civilian-military government. Operation Condor was the name of the CIA-backed campaign of political repression and state terror that included assassinations of political opponents and intelligence gathering.
After some writers’ works were prohibited, the media were regulated or outlawed, the trade union movement was decimated, and tons of volumes were burned. People who were listed as regime opponents were barred from employment in the government and from attending school.
7. Uruguay’s constitutional history has witnessed several amendments
Significant constitutional changes that have influenced Uruguay’s political scene and safeguarded individuals’ rights have occurred throughout the country’s history. The current governing text is the 1967 Constitution, which has undergone numerous modifications. Important turning points include the 1917 amendment, which established labour rights and universal suffrage for males.
Another amendment decreased the voting age and gave women more voting options in 1933. The 1951 amendment put a strong emphasis on defending human rights, particularly the ban on torture. A new constitution, which gave the military broad authority, was enacted in 1967 following a period of political unrest and a military coup in 1966.
Uruguay, which had become a democracy in 1985, passed a constitutional amendment in 1989 to restore democratic values and safeguard human rights.
8. Uruguay is the second smallest sovereign nation in South America
LocationUruguay.svg By Rei-artur pt en Rei-artur blog, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
With 176,214 km2 of continental land, 142,199 km2 of territorial water, and a few minor river islands, Uruguay is the third-smallest territory in the world, behind French Guiana and Suriname, and the second-smallest sovereign state in South America. The terrain is primarily made up of low, undulating hills (cuchillas) and rich coastal lowlands. With 660 kilometres of coastline, Uruguay.
9. Cerro Catedral is the highest point in Uruguay
Cerro catedral, RN BC.jpg Verónica ortellao, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
With an elevation of 513.66 m, Cerro Catedral, often referred to as Cerro Cordillera, is a summit and Uruguay’s highest point. It is situated in a hill range called Sierra Carapé, which is a part of a bigger range called Cuchilla Grande, in the municipality of Aiguá, north of Maldonado Department. Its name is derived from the unusual shapes of the rocky outcrops at its summit, which are quite typical in this country’s southern region.
With a height of 501 m, Cerro de las Nimas, formerly known as Mirador Nacional was thought to be Uruguay’s highest peak until 1973. The measurement of Cerro Catedral was altered that year by a team of experts from the Military Geographic Service.
10. Most of the country has a humid subtropical climate
Uruguay has a generally pleasant and consistent climate throughout the country due to its being wholly inside the southern temperate zone. Most of the nation has a humid subtropical climate, according to the Köppen Climate Classification. Oceanic climates are only present in a few locations along the Atlantic Coast and at the highest points of the Cuchilla Grande.
The nation has four distinct seasons, with winter lasting from June to September and summer lasting from December to March. Although there are noticeable seasonal fluctuations, temperature extremes are uncommon. Winds from the Atlantic help to cool summers, and extreme cold in the winter is unheard of.
11. Uruguay is a representative democratic republic with a presidential system
In Uruguay, which is a unitary state, all matters of law, order, health, security, foreign affairs, and defence are handled at the federal level. The president and a cabinet of 13 ministers exercise the executive branch of government. Uruguay is a presidential republic that practices representative democracy.
The General Assembly is made up of two chambers: the Chamber of Representatives, which consists of 99 members representing the 19 departments and is elected for a five-year term based on proportional representation; and the Chamber of Senators, which consists of 31 members, 30 of whom are elected for a five-year term based on proportional representation; the vice-president serves as chamber leader.
The Supreme Court, the Bench, and judges countrywide execute the judicial branch. The judges are appointed directly by the Supreme Court, whereas the members of the Bench are chosen by the Supreme Court with the approval of the Senate. The members of the Supreme Court are chosen by the General Assembly.
12. Colorado Party has been in power the most in Uruguay’s history
Rick VanWie – Colorado Democratic Party (5228079759).jpg Aranami from Arvada, CO, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Colorado organization was established on September 17, 1836, in Montevideo, Uruguay. It is a liberal political organization.
Fructuoso Rivera, Venancio Flores, José Batlle y Ordóez, Luis Batlle Berres, Jorge Pacheco Areco, Juan Mara Bordaberry, Julio Mara Sanguinetti, Luis Bernardo Pozzolo, and Jorge Batlle were a few of its most notable historical leaders.
With nearly uninterrupted dominance during the 20th century, the party has a long history of being the most frequently elected party in Uruguay. Although its members have held a variety of beliefs since its inception, including social democracy, liberal conservatism, and general pragmatism, the party aims to bring together moderate and liberal organizations.
Almost without exception, it was the party in power during the Uruguayan Republic’s stabilization. Fructuoso Rivera, Venancio Flores, José Batlle y Ordóez, Luis Batlle Berres, Jorge Pacheco Areco, Juan Mara Bordaberry, Julio Mara Sanguinetti, Luis Bernardo Pozzolo, and Jorge Batlle were a few of its most notable historical leaders.
With nearly uninterrupted dominance during the 20th century, the party has a long history of being the most frequently elected party in Uruguayan history.
13. In 2023, Uruguay ranked 31st in the world on electoral democracy
According to a 2010 Latinobarómetro poll, Uruguayans are among those in Latin America who embrace democracy the most and are by far the most pleased with how it operates in their nation. In the Freedom House “Freedom in the World” index, Uruguay came in at number 27.
Uruguay ranked second behind Switzerland in terms of citizen-initiated direct democracy and 31st overall in terms of electoral democracy in 2023, according to the V-Dem Democracy Index.
In the World Corruption Perceptions Index created by Transparency International in 2022, Uruguay takes joint 14th place with Canada, Estonia, and Iceland as the least corrupt nation, surpassing nations like the UK, Belgium, and Japan.
14. Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay
Montevideo .jpg Daniel Stonek, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The city proper, which covers an area of 201 square kilometres, has 1,319,108 residents, or roughly one-third of the nation’s total population, as of the 2011 Census. On the northeastern bank of the Rio de la Plata, Montevideo is located on the country’s southern coast.
The city of Montevideo was ranked top in Latin America in the 2019 Mercer report on quality of life, a position it has held since 2005. As of 2010, Montevideo’s economy ranked 19th on the continent and 9th among major cities in terms of income. Its expected GDP for 2022 is $53.9 billion, or $30,148 per person.
15. Argentina and Brazil are Uruguay’s most important trading partners
In 2009, Argentine imports made up 20% of all imports. Uruguay refuses clearance to British naval ships heading for the Falkland Islands and forbids them from calling at Uruguayan territories and ports for supplies and gasoline because it prioritizes its bilateral relations with Argentina.
In an effort to hasten the political and economic integration of these two nearby nations, Brazil and Uruguay have inked cooperation agreements on fisheries, energy, science, and technology.
16. The Uruguayan armed forces are constitutionally subordinate to the president
According to the constitution, the president is in charge of the Uruguayan armed forces through the minister of defence. There are around 14,000 soldiers in the Army, 6,000 in the Navy, and 3,000 in the Air Force. In times of peace, enlistment is voluntary, but in times of emergency, the government has the power to conscript.
With 2,513 soldiers and officers serving in 10 UN peacekeeping missions, Uruguay leads the globe in terms of per-capita contributions to the UN peacekeeping forces. As of February 2010, Uruguay had 1,360 military men supporting MONUC in the Congo and 1,136 supporting MINUSTAH in Haiti.
Major General Gloodtofsky, a Uruguayan, was named Chief Military Observer and commander of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan in December 2010.
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17. Port of Montevideo is the most advanced container terminal in South America
Puerto de Montevideo aéreo.jpg Fedaro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The most sophisticated container terminal in South America is the Port of Montevideo, which handles over 1.1 million cargo yearly. Its quay can accommodate vessels with a 14-meter draft. There might be 80 to 100 movements per hour with nine straddle cranes. A significant regional hub for the transfer of goods, the port of Nueva Palmira is home to both government- and privately-owned terminals.
18. The tourism industry in Uruguay is an important part of its economy
According to estimates, the sector contributed 9% of GDP in 2012 and supported 97,000 employment. Colonia del Sacramento, a former Spanish colonial settlement
59% of the 2.8 million tourists who visited Uruguay in 2013 were from Argentina, 14% from Brazil, while the majority of the other visitors were from Chile, Paraguay, North America, and Europe.
In relation to its population, Uruguay is the Latin American nation that receives the most tourists. Argentine tourism is crucial for Uruguay because it accounts for 56% of the country’s annual outside tourists and 70% of that during the summer.
19. Uruguay is one of the world’s largest producers of soybeans, wool, horse meat, beeswax, and quinces
The export-oriented agricultural sector in Uruguay contributed 9.3% of the country’s GDP and employed 13% of the labour force in 2010. According to official statistics from Uruguay’s Agriculture and Livestock Ministry, 59.6% of the country’s land is used for sheep and beef farming. When cow rearing is combined with other farm tasks like dairy, fodder, and crop rotation with rice, the percentage rises to 82.4%.
According to FAOSTAT, Uruguay is among the top producers of quinces (17th), horse meat (14th), beeswax (14th), wool (12th), and soybeans (9th).
The majority of farms (25,500 out of 39,120) are family-run, with beef and wool production accounting for 65% of their primary activities and sources of revenue, followed by vegetable and livestock farming at 12%, dairy production at 11%, hog production at 2%, and poultry production at 2%.
The primary export of the nation, worth over $1 billion in US dollars in 2006, is beef. Uruguay has 12 million cattle in its herds in 2007, making it the nation with the highest cattle density (3.8 animals per person).
20. The Telecommunication industry in Uruguay is more advanced
Since the United States was the first country in the Americas to attain full digital telephone coverage in 1997, the telecommunications sector is more developed than it is in the majority of other Latin American nations. The telephone network is entirely digital and offers excellent nationwide coverage.
Since the 1990s, there have been divisive attempts to partially privatize the system, which is currently held by the government. The government-owned ANTEL and the two private businesses Movistar and Claro split the market for mobile phones.
21. More than 97% of Uruguay’s electricity comes from renewable energy
RiveraCerroMarconi.jpg CITY MVD, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Over 97% of Uruguay’s electricity is generated by renewable sources. The remarkable change reduced electricity costs and decreased the nation’s carbon footprint in less than ten years without any government investment. The majority of the electricity is produced by hydroelectric plants and wind farms. No longer does Uruguay import power.
In terms of installed renewable electricity in 2021, Uruguay had 1,538 MW of hydropower, 1,514 MW of wind power (35th largest in the world), 258 MW of solar power, and 423 MW of biomass.
22. Uruguayans are of predominantly European origin
With almost 87.7% of the population claiming European ancestry according to the 2011 census, Europeans make up the majority of Uruguayans. Most European-born people in Uruguay are descended from immigrants who came to the country in the 19th and 20th centuries from Spain and Italy and to a smaller extent from Germany, France, and Britain. ( All these countries are of European origin)
Argentina had been the source of the earliest settlers. About 5% of the population are people of African heritage. There are also significant Japanese communities. Overall, the ethnic makeup is comparable to Southern Brazil and nearby Argentine provinces.
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23. Uruguay has no official religion
Puente americas canelones.jpg Maxpana3, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Church and state are formally separated in Uruguay, and there is a guarantee of religious freedom. According to a 2008 study by the INE of Uruguay, 45.7% to 81.4% of the population identified as Catholic Christians; the remaining 9.0% were non-Catholic Christians, 0.6% were Animists or Umbandists, and 0.4% were Jews.
14% of respondents identified as atheists or agnostic, while 30.1% said they believed in a god but did not practice any religion. Christianity, notably Armenian Apostolic, is the most popular religion in Montevideo’s sizable Armenian community.
24. Education in Uruguay is secular, free, and compulsory for 14 years
Starting at age 4, education in Uruguay is secular, free, and mandated for 14 years. Early childhood (3-5 years), primary (6-11 years), elementary secondary (12-14 years), upper secondary (15-17 years), higher education (18 and over), and post-graduate education are the six educational levels that make up the system.
Three organizations are primarily in charge of public education: the National Public Education Administration, which develops and implements policies for early childhood through secondary education, the University of the Republic, which is in charge of higher education, and the Ministry of Education and Culture, which coordinates educational policies. The government intended to allocate 4.5% of GDP to education in 2009.
25. Uruguayan food culture comes mostly from the European cuisine culture
Jean Philippe – Dulce de Leche Crepe.jpg Calgary Reviews, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Because of the immigration brought about by previous wars in Europe, the majority of cuisines in Uruguay come from Spain, France, Italy, and Brazil. Because Uruguay is one of the world’s top producers of high-quality beef, daily meals typically include meat in addition to other foods like rice, pasta of many kinds, sweet desserts, and others.
The “Asado Uruguay”, roasted lamb, the “Chivito”, a type of fried breaded beef called “Milanesa,” tortellini, spaghetti, gnocchi, ravioli, rice, and vegetables are typical dishes.
Dulce de leche is one of the spreads that are most popular in Uruguay. The most common dessert is Alfajor, a tiny cake with dulce de leche inside and a chocolate or meringue shell on top. There are numerous sorts, fillings, sizes, and brands available.
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