Uruguay Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Uruguay, State of Southeastern South America; 176,220 km², 3.4 million residents (2019).Uruguay borders Brazil in the north, the Uruguay River forms in the west border with Argentina, and in the south and south-east Uruguay has a coast towards the Atlantic. The capital is Montevideo (1.3 million residents, 2012).

Country facts

Republic of Oriental del Uruguay / Republic of Uruguay
Country abbreviation: UY
Area: 176 220 km²
Population (2019): 3.4 million residents
Capital: Montevideo
Main language: Spanish
State: Republic
Head of State and Head of Government: Luis Lacalle Pou (President)
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 17,278
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 15,650
Currency unit: 1 peso = 100 cents
Currency code: UYU
Country Number (Telephony): 598
Internet Domain Name: uy
Time difference compared to Sweden: −4
National Day: August 25 (Declaration of Independence, 1825)

Nature

Land use: forest (15%), agricultural land (8%), other (77%)
Highest mountain: Catedral (513 m above sea level)
Longest river: Uruguay River (2,188 km)

Population

Population density (2019): 19 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 0.4%; birth rate 13 ‰, death rate 9 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (20%), 15-64 (66%), 65- (14%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 74 years, women 81 years
Infant mortality (2019): 9 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 4 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.804 (place 55 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 95%
Most populous city (2013): Montevideo (1.3 million residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (6%), industry (24%), service (70%)
Exports (2017): USD 11,410 million
Main export products: meat, soybeans, cellulose
Main exporting countries: China, Brazil, USA
Imports (2017): US $ 8,607 million
Main import products: oil and oil products, vehicles, mobile phones
Main importing countries: China, Brazil, Argentina
Railway network (2016): 1 600 km

Uruguay is located in the transition zone between the South Brazilian Plateau and Argentina’s Pampas and is for the most part a gently rolling backland between 200 and 400 meters above sea level. Along the Atlantic, a wide, low-lying plain is spreading. The climate is temperate with the most rainy season in the autumn (April – May).

According to the constitution, the executive power is exercised by the president and the government, while the legislative power lies with Congress, which consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. President, Vice President and Congress are elected on a joint election day through open and free elections every five years.

Agriculture, especially livestock management, is the most important industry in Uruguay. The unilateral dependence on agricultural products makes the country’s economy very sensitive to price fluctuations in the world market. Against this background, Uruguay has invested in developing other industries such as banking and tourism. The government is trying to make the economy competitive by means of moderate liberalization. Its efforts are hampered by widespread popular resistance to privatizations and restrictions in the social security system.