Uruguay

Oriental Republic of UruguayRepublica Oriental del Uruguay

constitutional republicIndependence 25 August 1825 (from Brazil)

Uruguay as the 2005 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 122 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalMontevideo

Position33 00 S, 56 00 W

Area176,220 sq km

LocationSouthern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil

Populationas each edition published it

3.42 million July 2005 est. · 3.04m in 1990

Population growth% a year

0.47% 2005 est. · 0.75% in 1993

Median ageyears

32.46 years 2005 est. · 31.8 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

76.13 years 2005 est. · 73.74 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

1.91 children per woman 2005 est. · 2.4 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

11.95 deaths per 1,000 live births 2005 est. · 22 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$14,500 2004 est. · $3,100 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

10.2% 2004 est. · 8% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to became an important commercial center. Annexed by Brazil as a separate province in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President BATLLE in the early 20th century established widespread political, social, and economic reforms.

A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement, the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to agree to military control of his administration in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold throughout the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.

Geography

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil

18 fields

Land useshare of 176,220 sq km

arable land 7.43%permanent crops 0.23%other 92.34% (2001)irrigated 1,800 sq km (1998 est.)

Area

176,220sq km

land: 173,620 sq kmwater: 2,600 sq kmslightly smaller than the state of Washington

Coastline

660km

territorial sea: 12 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Highest point

514m

Cerro Catedrallowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Land boundaries

1,564km

border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km

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

Climate

warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Terrain

mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

Natural resources

arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries

Natural hazards

seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which 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, Tropical Timber 94, 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

19 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2005 est.)

183,877

65 and over13.2%

266,782

1,076,960

15-6463.6%

1,095,833

403,041

0-1423.2%

389,427

MaleFemale

Population

3,415,920

(July 2005 est.)growth rate: 0.47% (2005 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2005 est.)

Birth

14.09Death

9.06Net migration

-0.28

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2005 est.)76.13

72.92 · 79.45Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)11.95

13.27 · 10.58

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2003 est.)98%

97.6% · 98.4%Median age years (2005 est.)32.46

31.02 · 33.95

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Religions

Roman Catholic 66% (less than half of the adult population attends church regularly)Protestant 2%Jewish 1%nonprofessing or other 31%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3%

(2001 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population:: 0.95 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.91 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

6,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Uruguayan(s)
adjective:: Uruguayan

Ethnic groups

white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent)

Languages

Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)

Government

Constitutional republic; President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2005) and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVA (since 1 March 2005); President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2005) and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVA (since 1 March 2005)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

50.5%

Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%Guillermo STIRLING 10.3%election last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)

Chamber of Senators, 99 seats, elected 31 October 2004one dot, one seat

EP-FA 52Blanco 36Colorado Party 10Independent Party 1

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

Montevideo

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 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 (since 1 March 2005) and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVA (since 1 March 2005);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2005) and Vice President Rodolfo NIN NOVA (since 1 March 2005);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
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; election last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009)
election results:: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote - Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.5%, Jorge LARRANAGA 35.1%, Guillermo STIRLING 10.3%

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) 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

Colorado Party [Jorge BATLLE Ibanez];
National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE Herrera];
New Sector/Space Coalition (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI];
Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition (Encuentro Progresista/Frente Amplio) or EP-FA [Tabare VAZQUEZ];
Independent Party (Partido Independiente) [leader NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Agrupacion UTE (powerful state worker's union), Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association), Uruguayan Construction League, Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association), Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization), Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization), the Catholic Church, students

International organization participation

CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Carlos 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, and New York
consulate(s):: San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Martin J. SILVERSTEIN
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;
there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy

Economy

Uruguay's well-to-do economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of social spending.

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GDP, purchasing power parity

$49.27billion

(2004 est.)

Real growth rate

10.2%

(2004 est.)industrial production growth: 22% (2004 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

7.6%

(2004 est.)

Unemployment rate

13%

(2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2004 est.)

agriculture 7.9%industry 27.4%services 64.8% (2004 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

6.2%

Argentina

19.5%

16%

Brazil

19%

17.3%

9.2%

Paraguay

12.9%

6.3%

Germany

China

4.2%

Mexico

Exports $2.2 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)Imports $2.071 billion f.o.b. (2003)(2004)

Budget

Revenues

$3.332 billionExpenditures

$3.787 billion (2004 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $193 million

Electricity

Electricity production

8.536 billion (2003)Electricity consumption

5.878 billion (2003)Electricity exports

954 million (2003)Electricity imports

434.2 million (2003)

Economy - overview

Uruguay's well-to-do economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, 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 massive withdrawals by Argentina of dollars deposited in Uruguayan banks led to a plunge in the Uruguyan 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 serious banking crisis.

Unemployment rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMF limited the damage. The debt swap with private creditors carried out in 2003, which extended the maturity dates on nearly half of Uruguay's $11.3 billion in public debt, substantially alleviated the country's amortization burden in the coming years and restored public confidence.

The economy grew about 10% in 2004 as a result of high commodity prices for Uruguayan exports, the weakness of the dollar against the euro, growth in the region, low international interest rates, and greater export competitiveness.

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $14,500 (2004 est.)

Labor force

1.56 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 14%, industry 16%, services 70%

Population below poverty line

21% of households (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44.8 (1999)

Investment (gross fixed)

9.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products

rice, wheat, corn, barley;
livestock;
fish

Industries

food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption

41,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

Oil - imports

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

64.5 million cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - imports

65 million cu m (2003 est.)

Current account balance

$181.8 million (2004 est.)

Exports

$2.2 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities

meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products

Imports

$2.071 billion f.o.b. (2003)

Imports - commodities

machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.362 billion (2004 est.)

Debt - external

$12.8 billion (March 2004)

Economic aid - recipient

Currency (code)

Uruguayan peso (UYU)

Exchange rates

Uruguayan pesos per US dollar - 28.704 (2004), 28.209 (2003), 21.257 (2002), 13.319 (2001), 12.1 (2000)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

652,000

(2002)

Internet users

87,630

(2003)

Fixed lines

946,500

(2002) · country code .uy

Telephone system

general assessment:: fully digitalized
domestic:: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network
international:: country code - 598; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 91, FM 149, shortwave 7 (2001)

Television broadcast stations

23 (2002)

Internet users

400,000 (2002)

Transportation

9 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

2,438 to 3,047 m

1,524 to 2,437 m

914 to 1,523 m

under 914 m

Paved 14Unpaved 50

Networkskm

Highways

8,983Railways

2,073Waterways

1,600 (2002)

Highways: paved: 8,081 km · unpaved: 902 km (1999 est.) · Railways: 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 (2004)

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 (2004)

Highways

total:: 8,983 km
paved:: 8,081 km
unpaved:: 902 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines

gas 192 km (2004)

Ports and harbors

Montevideo

Merchant marine

total:: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,918 GRT/10,342 DWT
by type:: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned:: 4 (Argentina 3, Greece 1)
registered in other countries:: 8 (2005)