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| Geography |
| 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. |
| Location: | Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil |
| Geographic coordinates: | 33 00 S, 56 00 W |
| Area: | total: 176,220 sq km
land: 173,620 sq km
water: 2,600 sq kmSize comparison: 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: | 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, fisheries |
| Land use: | arable land: 7.77%
permanent crops: 0.24%
other: 91.99% (2005) |
| Irrigated land: | 2,100 sq km (2003) |
| 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 |
| Current Environment Issues: | water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal |
| International Environment 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, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation |
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| People |
| Population: | 3,477,778 (July 2008 est.) |
| Age structure: | 0-14 years: 22.7% (male 401,209/female 388,315)
15-64 years: 64% (male 1,105,891/female 1,120,858)
65 years and over: 13.3% (male 185,704/female 275,801) (2008 est.) |
| Median age: | total: 33.2 years
male: 31.8 years
female: 34.6 years (2008 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 0.486% (2008 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 14.17 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
| Death rate: | 9.12 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | -0.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.04 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 (2008 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | total: 11.66 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 13.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 76.14 years
male: 72.89 years
female: 79.51 years (2008 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 1.94 children born/woman (2008 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | 0.3% (2001 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | 6,000 (2001 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths: | fewer than 500 (2003 est.) |
| 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.) |
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| Government |
| 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 second 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, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 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 Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval
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 31 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009)
election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote - Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%, Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%, Guillermo STIRLING 10.3%; other 4.1% |
| Legislative branch: | bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are 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 are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - EP-FA 16, Blanco 11, Colorado Party 3; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - EP-FA 52, Blanco 36, Colorado Party 10, Independent Party 1 |
| 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 [Jose MUJICA], New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [Eduardo FERNANDEZ], the 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, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, 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, Washington, DC
consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico) |
| Diplomatic representation from the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Frank E. BAXTER
embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200
mailing address: APO AA 34035
telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777
FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611 |
| Executive branch: | chief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ Rosas (since 1 March 2005); Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVOA (since 1 March 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval
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 31 October 2004 (next to be held in October 2009)
election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote - Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%, Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%, Guillermo STIRLING 10.3%; other 4.1% |
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| Economy |
| 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. For instance, in 2001-02 Argentina made massive withdrawals of dollars deposited in Uruguayan banks, which led to a plunge in the Uruguayan peso and a massive rise in unemployment. Total GDP in these four years dropped by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to the banking crisis. The unemployment rate rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMF helped stem the damage. Uruguay in 2007 improved its debt profile by paying off $1.1 billion in IMF debt, and continues to follow the orthodox economic plan set by the Fund in 2005. The construction of a pulp mill in Fray Bentos, which represents the largest foreign direct investment in Uruguay's history at $1.2 billion, came online in November 2007 and is expected to add 1.6% to GDP and boost already rising exports. The economy has grown strongly since 2004 as a result of high commodity prices for Uruguayan exports, a strong peso, growth in the region, and low international interest rates. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity): | $37.5 billion (2007 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate): | $22.95 billion (2007 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate: | 7.4% (2007 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP): | $10,800 (2007 est.) |
| GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 10.1%
industry: 32%
services: 57.9% (2007 est.) |
| Labor force: | 1.631 million (2007 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation: | agriculture: 9%
industry: 15%
services: 76% (2007 est.) |
| Unemployment rate: | 9.2% (2007 est.) |
| Population below poverty line: | 27.4% of households (2006) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 34% (2003) |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index: | 45.2 (2006) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): | 8.1% (2007 est.) |
| Investment (gross fixed): | 13.9% of GDP (2007 est.) |
| Budget: | revenues: $6.701 billion
expenditures: $6.807 billion (2007 est.) |
| Public debt: | 64.8% of GDP (2007 est.) |
| 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: | 7.9% (2007 est.) |
| Electricity - production: | 9.2 billion kWh (2007) |
| Electricity - consumption: | 7.03 billion kWh (2007) |
| Electricity - exports: | 995.4 million kWh (2007 est.) |
| Electricity - imports: | 788.4 million kWh (2007 est.) |
| Oil - production: | 935.7 bbl/day (2007 est.) |
| Oil - consumption: | 33,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) |
| Oil - exports: | 4,410 bbl/day (2007) |
| Oil - imports: | 43,670 bbl/day (2007) |
| Oil - proved reserves: | NA |
| Natural gas - production: | 0 cu m (2007 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption: | 102.8 million cu m (2007 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports: | 0 cu m (2007 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports: | 116.9 million cu m (2007) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves: | 0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) |
| Current account balance: | -$185.6 million (2007 est.) |
| Exports: | $5.063 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) |
| Exports - commodities: | meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products |
| Exports - partners: | Brazil 15.5%, US 9.4%, Argentina 8.4%, Mexico 6.6%, China 6.1%, Germany 4.8% (2007) |
| Imports: | $5.554 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) |
| Imports - commodities: | crude petroleum and petroleum products, machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, paper, plastics |
| Imports - partners: | Brazil 19.1%, Argentina 17.9%, US 9.5%, China 9.1%, Paraguay 7.7%, Nigeria 4.7% (2007) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: | $4.121 billion (December 2007 est.) |
| Debt - external: | $11.42 billion (31 December 2007) |
| Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: | $4.19 billion (2007) |
| Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: | $156 million (2007) |
| Market value of publicly traded shares: | $224 million (2007) |
| Currency (code): | Uruguayan peso (UYU) |
| Exchange rates: | Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 23.947 (2007), 24.048 (2006), 24.479 (2005), 28.704 (2004), 28.209 (2003) |
| Fiscal year: | calendar year |
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| Communications |
| Telephones in use: | 965,200 (2007) |
| Cellular Phones in use: | 3.004 million (2007) |
| 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 115 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: | 480,593 (2008) |
| Internet users: | 968,000 (2007) |
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| Transportation |
| Airports: | 60 (2007) |
| Airports (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 (2007) |
| Airports (unpaved runways): | total: 51
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 19
under 914 m: 29 (2007) |
| Pipelines: | gas 257 km; oil 160 km (2007) |
| Railways: | total: 2,073 km
standard gauge: 2,073 km 1.435-m gauge
note: 461 km have been taken out of service and 460 km are in partial use (2006) |
| Roadways: | total: 77,732 km
paved: 7,743 km
unpaved: 69,989 km (2004) |
| Waterways: | 1,600 km (2005) |
| Merchant marine: | total: 17
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 |
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| Military |
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| Military branches: | Uruguayan Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito), Navy (Armada Nacional; includes naval air arm, Marines, Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2008) |
| Military service age and obligation: | 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies (2007) |
| Manpower available for military service: | males age 16-49: 837,252
females age 16-49: 824,096 (2008 est.) |
| Manpower fit for military service: | males age 16-49: 703,955
females age 16-49: 690,296 (2008 est.) |
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