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Introduction - Uruguay
Background:
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
established 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.
Geography - Uruguay
Location:
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina
and Brazil
Geographic coordinates:
33 00 S, 56 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 176,215 sq km
country comparison to the world: 90
land: 175,015 sq km
water: 1,200 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than the state of Washington
Land boundaries:
total: 1,648 km
border countries: Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km
Coastline:
660 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or edge of continental margin
Climate:
Current Weather
warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Terrain:
mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m
Natural resources:
arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish
Land use:
arable land: 7.77%
permanent crops: 0.24%
other: 91.99% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,100 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
139 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 3.15 cu km/yr (2%/1%/96%)
per capita: 910 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
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
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous
waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
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
Geography - note:
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
People - Uruguay
Population:
3,510,386 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.1% (male 394,454/female 381,920)
15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,125,912/female 1,137,904)
65 years and over: 13.4% (male 188,719/female 281,477) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 33.7 years
male: 32.3 years
female: 35.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.447% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Birth rate:
13.67 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Death rate:
9.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Net migration rate:
-0.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Urbanization:
urban population: 92% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.037 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 10.99 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 149
male: 12.37 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.55 years
country comparison to the world: 68
male: 73.3 years
female: 79.92 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.89 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
10,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Nationality:
noun: Uruguayan(s)
adjective: Uruguayan
Ethnic groups:
white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%,
Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006)
Languages:
Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian
frontier)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 97.6%
female: 98.4% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 16 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 148
Government - Uruguay
Country name:
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
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Montevideo
geographic coordinates: 34 53 S, 56 11 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
Administrative divisions:
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
Independence:
25 August 1825 (from Brazil)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 August (1825)
Constitution:
27 November 1966; effective 15 February 1967; suspended 27 June 1973; revised 26
November 1989 and 7 January 1997
Legal system:
based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
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 elected president; percent of vote - Jose "Pepe"
MUJICA 54.8%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 45.2%
Legislative branch:
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
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year
terms by the General Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as the Progressive Encounter/Broad
Front Coalition or EP-FA [Jorge BROVETTO] (a broad governing coalition that
includes Movement of the Popular Participation or MPP, New Space Party (Nuevo
Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo
NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [Eduardo FERNANDEZ], Communist Party [Marina
ARISMENDI], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI], and Vertiente
Artiguista [Mariano ARANA]); Colorado Party (Foro Batllista) [Julio Maria
SANGUINETTI]; National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE and Jorge LARRANAGA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization); Chamber of Uruguayan
Industries (manufacturer's association); Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association
(professional organization); PIT/CNT (powerful federation of Uruguayan Unions -
umbrella labor organization); Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's
association); Uruguayan Construction League; Uruguayan Network of Political
Women
other: Catholic Church; students
International organization participation:
CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES,
LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL,
OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNOCI,
UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois
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
consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador David NELSON
embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200
mailing address: APO AA 34035
telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777
FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611
Flag description:
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
Economy - Uruguay
Economy - overview:
Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a
well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending. After averaging
growth of 5% annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major
downturn, stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems
of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. In 2001-02, Argentine citizens
made massive withdrawals of dollars deposited in Uruguayan banks after bank
deposits in Argentina were frozen, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayan peso,
a banking crisis, and a sharp economic contraction. Real GDP fell in four years
by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year. The unemployment rate rose, inflation
surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Financial assistance from the
IMF helped stem the damage. Uruguay restructured its external debt in 2003
without asking creditors to accept a reduction on the principal. Economic growth
for Uruguay resumed, and 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 1.7% in 2009. Nevertheless, the country managed to avoid a
recession and keep positive growth rates, mainly through higher public
expenditure and investment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$44.52 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$43.77 billion (2008 est.)
$40.2 billion (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$31.98 billion (2009 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
8.9% (2008 est.)
7.4% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
$12,600 (2008 est.)
$11,600 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9.3%
industry: 22.7%
services: 68% (2009 est.)
Labor force:
1.636 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 15%
services: 76% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.6% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
7.6% (2008 est.)
Population below poverty line:
27.4% of households (2006)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 34.8% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
45.2 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 41
44.8 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
17.2% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Budget:
revenues: $8.74 billion
expenditures: $9.376 billion (2009 est.)
Public debt:
56.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
59.8% of GDP (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
7.9% (2008 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
10% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 45
10% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
12.45% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 124
7.25% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$2.247 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 89
$2.145 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$9.409 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 66
$7.919 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$9.096 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 79
$6.396 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 112
$159 million (31 December 2007)
$125.1 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
rice, wheat, soybeans, barley; livestock, beef; fish; forestry
Industries:
food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum
products, textiles, chemicals, beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
1.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Electricity - production:
9.265 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Electricity - consumption:
7.14 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Electricity - exports:
996 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
789 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
997.4 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Oil - consumption:
40,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Oil - exports:
7,100 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Oil - imports:
52,730 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - consumption:
70 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Natural gas - imports:
70 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Current account balance:
$184 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
-$1.51 billion (2008 est.)
Exports:
$6.395 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
$7.084 billion (2008 est.)
Exports - commodities:
meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products
Exports - partners:
Brazil 21.05%, China 9.45%, Argentina 7.36%, Germany 5.16%, Mexico 4.88%,
Netherlands 4.13%, US 3.96% (2009)
Imports:
$6.606 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
$8.811 billion (2008 est.)
Imports - commodities:
crude petroleum and petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, road vehicles,
paper, plastics
Imports - partners:
Argentina 20.77%, Brazil 17.53%, China 10.23%, US 9.82%, Paraguay 6.87% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$8.038 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
$6.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Debt - external:
$12.61 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
$10.73 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA (31 December 2009)
$4.19 billion (2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$156 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 78
Exchange rates:
Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 23.017 (2009), 20.936 (2008), 23.947
(2007), 24.048 (2006), 24.479 (2005)
Communications - Uruguay
Telephones - main lines in use:
959,300 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 83
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.508 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 100
Telephone system:
general assessment: fully digitalized
domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide
microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular
teledensity is 130 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) (2002)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 93, FM 191, shortwave 7 (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
62 (2005)
Internet country code:
.uy
Internet hosts:
498,232 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 48
Internet users:
1.34 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 79
Transportation - Uruguay
Airports:
57 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 82
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 9
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 48
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 20
under 914 m: 25 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 226 km; oil 155 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,641 km (1,200 km operational)
country comparison to the world: 79
standard gauge: 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)
Roadways:
total: 77,732 km
country comparison to the world: 63
paved: 7,743 km
unpaved: 69,989 km (2010)
Waterways:
1,600 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 52
Merchant marine:
total: 17
country comparison to the world: 102
by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 2, roll
on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 10 (Argentina 3, Greece 1, Spain 6)
registered in other countries: 3 (Liberia 3) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Montevideo
Military - Uruguay
Military branches:
Uruguayan Armed Forces: Uruguayan National Army (Ejercito Nacional Uruguaya, ENU),
National Navy (Armada Nacional; includes naval air arm, Naval Rifle Corps (Cuerpo
de Fusileros Navales, Fusna), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Air Force (Fuerza
Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for 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 (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 849,358
females age 16-49: 832,774 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 713,223
females age 16-49: 697,197 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 27,631
female: 26,703 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 95
Transnational Issues - Uruguay
Disputes - international:
in Jan 2007, ICJ provisionally ruled Uruguay may begin construction of two paper
mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina, while the
court examines further whether Argentina has the legal right to stop such
construction with potential environmental implications to both countries; two
uncontested boundary disputes with Brazil over Isla Brasilera at the tripoint
with Argentina at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Uruguay rivers, and,
in the 235 square kilometer Invernada River region, over which tributary
represents the legitimate source of the Quarai/Cuareim River
Illicit drugs:
small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through
sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of
strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier;
increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs
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