World Country Guide

General Information

Area
176,215 sq km (68,037 sq miles).

Population
3,385,000 (2002).

Population Density
19.2 per sq km.

Capital
Montevideo. Population: 1,329,000 (UN estimate 2001).

Geography
Uruguay is one of the smallest of the South American republics. It is bordered to the north by Brazil, to the southeast by the Atlantic, and is separated from Argentina in the west and south by the River Uruguay, which widens out into the Rio de la Plata estuary. The landscape is made up of hilly meadows broken by streams and rivers. There is a string of beaches along the coast. Most of the country is grazing land for sheep and cattle. Montevideo, the most southern point of the nation, accommodates more than half of the population. About 90 per cent of the land is suitable for agriculture, although only 12 per cent is used in this way. Uruguay is known as the ‘Oriental Republic’ because it stands on the eastern bank of the Rio de la Plata.

Government
Republic since 1967. Formerly declared independence from Spain in 1825 and officially recognised in 1928. Head of State and Government: President Tabare Vazquez since 2004.

Language
Spanish. Some English is spoken in tourist resorts.

Religion
Roman Catholic is the predominant religion.

Time
GMT - 3.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Continental flat three-pin or round two-pin plugs.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available to Uruguay, but callers from Uruguay may experience difficulty, although direct dialling is possible. Country code: 598. Outgoing international code: 00. The local telephone service, which is operated by the Government, is good.

Mobile telephone
GSM 1900 network operated by AM Wireless Uruguay. GSM 1800 network operated by ANTEL (website: www.antel.com.uy).

Fax
Facilities are widely available.

Internet
ISPs include Movinet (website: www.movinet.com.uy) and Uruguay Net (website: www.uruguaynet.com.uy). There are Internet cafes in main urban areas.

Telegram
These can be sent worldwide through Italcable, ITT Comunicaciones, Mundiales SA and Western Telegraph Co Ltd.

Post
Post office hours: 0800-1800 (main post office in the old city, Montevideo: 0900-1900). Airmail to Europe takes three to five days.

Press
All newspapers are in Spanish; the most popular dailies include La Maana, El Observador, El Pas and Ultimas Noticias.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.