Country Information

Brief history

Uruguay is located between Argentina and Brazil, in the southern cone of South America. It is home to a population of 3.5 million people of whom 1.7 million live in the capital city, Montevideo. Ethnic groups are approximately:

European descent (mostly Spanish and Italian): 88%
Mestizo (mixed European and American Indian): 8%
African descent: 4%.

The Spanish were the first Europeans to settle in Argentina and Uruguay. Between 1880 and 1930, a large influx of Italians came to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Today, Argentina and Uruguay have the highest concentrations of Italians outside of Italy, making up approximately 50% of the population in each country.

Uruguay’s culture is strongly influenced by the descendants of Spanish and Italian immigrants.

Uruguay has the most European culture in Latin America.

Beaches

Uruguay is also known for miles of the most wonderful beaches and the lifestyle of the stylish coastal resort, Punta del Este. Whether you dream of a newly-restored colonial home with modern interiors and a view of the harbour…a small cottage with a quiet internal courtyard…or a lazy beachfront retreat where you can sit on your balcony and watch the waves crash up on the sand, you can find it in Uruguay.

Uruguay's countryside

The Uruguayan countryside, true gaucho territory, is blessed with mild climate and large green pastures where cattle graze naturally in the open all year round.

Some information of interest

Uruguay was ranked 9th by Reader's Digest among the world's greenest countries, and ranked 3rd by Yale in its Environmental Sustainability Index.

Uruguay is one of the most economically developed countries in Latin America judging by its GDP per capita (U$S 9500) and other key economic indicators.