Country Information on Uruguay

Terrain The south-eastern part of the country consists of vast plains covered with grass, with the exception of the marshland exposed to the tides along the Atlantic shore. Hilly ranges run through the country's north, with altitudes varying between 200 and 500 m. Cerro Catedral (part of the Sierra de Carapé) is the country's highest elevation with 513 m above sea level. The eastern part of the country is dominated by the hilly range of Cuchilla Grande, with the north being characterized by Cuchilla Haedo. Cuchilla Santa Ana and Negra are located in the region bordering Brazil. Lowland regions predominant in the south are suitable for husbandry. Woodland occurs mainly along river banks. Climate Uruguay's climate is temperate. The average temperature of the warm months of January and February is 21.7°C, of the coldest month of June 10°C. During the winter months cold storms - known as pamperos - blow from the south-west. Fauna/Flora Tall prairie grass is characteristic of Uruguayan vegetation. Other flowering plants are mimosa, evergreen, rosemary, and kapok trees. Palms grow in the south-east, in the north, and in the valleys of the central region. In the coastal areas pine and eucalyptus trees have been planted to stop the movement of sand. The widespread cypress, oak, cedar, mulberry, and magnolia trees also have been introduced. Pumas, seals, tapirs, and the rhea (American ostrich) used to be abundant, but are rather scarce nowadays. Deer, wild hogs, otters, foxes, wildcats, armadillos, anteaters, and various rodents are the most frequently seen mammals. Among the bird species vultures, burrowing owls, wild turkeys, parakeets, cardinals, and humming birds are worth mentioning. Reptiles include lizards, tortoises, and rattlesnakes. The habitat of alligators is restricted to the upper waters of the Uruguay River. History/Politics The area of present-day Uruguay was discovered by Spanish explorer Juan Díaz de Solís in 1516. However, colonization of the region started as late as 1611 with the introduction of husbandry. 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. Following unsuccessful attempts to become independent and annexation by Brazil, Uruguay finally achieved independence when the Oriental Republic of Uruguay was established in 1830. The following years were characterized by recurring struggles between the conservative Blancos or Nationalist Party and the more liberal Colorados. José Batlle assumed the presidency in 1903 and set the foundations of modern-day Uruguay by integrating European influences and winning the support of the immigrants. During the government of José Battle, high surplus earnings deriving from husbandry made possible the development of social and educational services and the promotion of a domestically oriented (less developed) 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 by a huge margin. Facing an economic recession, the new government was forced to introduce a reform programme which would not comply with their policy proper. The Colorados Party was back in government in 1966, but could not come to terms with the economic situation. Activities by the guerrilla movement Tupamaro resulted. In the 1971 elections the candidate of the Colorados, Juan María Bordaberry, and the candidate of the Blancos obtained almost exactly the same number of votes. In February 1972 the Electoral Court proclaimed Bordaberry president. At the same time, Tupamaro violence exploded leading to the declaration of the state of emergency between April and September 1972. The armed forces finally succeeded in defeating the guerrillas and gained more political power, in the end removing Bordaberry from office in 1976. Presidential elections (supervised by the armed forces) took place as late as 1984, with Julio María Sanguinetti of the Colorado Party becoming head of state. He 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 head of state and succeeded by his party colleague Jorge Batlle in 1999. Economy Livestock raising is the base of economic life, although manufacturing is increasing in importance. A major part of Uruguayan businesses are privately owned. However, the government operates the state railways, electrical power, telephones, the national airline company, and the official broadcasting service. The state has encouraged the development of export-oriented manufacturing industries. The leading branches of industry are the manufacture of woollen, cotton, and rayon textiles, and the processing of food, primarily meat. Further important industries are oil refining, the cement industry, and the production of clothing, steel, aluminium, electrical equipment, and chemicals. Culture Western European tradition is widespread in present-day Uruguay. By the 19th century the major part of the Amerindian population had been supplanted by Europeans, mainly by Spaniards and Italians. Since then Uruguay has adopted the cultural institutions of these immigrants. The country's folk music and dances are quite similar to those of Argentina, in both countries the gaucho (South American cowboy) has been the subject of folklore and music. The government and the middle class support the theatre, concerts, museums, and literary publications. International acclaim has greeted literary figures such as Pedro Figari, José Enrique Rodó, and Mario Benedetti. A very popular playwright is Mauricio Rosencof, who was in the past imprisoned on political grounds. Uruguayans have a passion for Carnival, which is celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday immediately preceding 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. In addition, polo, tennis, and golf are quite common, too.