The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is a sovereign country located in southeastern South America.[1] It is home to 3.46 million people, of which 1.7 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area.
It is bordered by Brazil to the north, by Argentina across the bank of both the Uruguay River to the west and the estuary of Río de la Plata to the southwest, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. Its surface is 176.215 km² being by its territorial extension the second smallest country in South America, larger only than Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana.
Montevideo was founded by the Spanish in the early 18th century as a military stronghold. Uruguay won its independence in 1825-1828 following a three-way struggle between Spain, Argentina and Brazil. It is a constitutional democracy, where the president fulfills the roles of both head of state and head of government.
The economy is largely based on agriculture (making up 10% of GDP and the most substantial export) and the state sector, Uruguay's economy is on the whole more stable than in its surrounding states, and it maintains a solid reputation with investors.
According to Transparency International, Uruguay is the second least corrupt country in Latin America (after Chile),[2] with its political and labor conditions being among the freest on the continent.
In November 2007 it became the first Latin American country and the second in all of the Americas to recognize same-sex civil unions at the national level.[3]
94.6% of the population are of European descent.[4] Just under half of the population are declared Roman Catholics. However, the majority of Uruguayans are only nominally religious.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Uruguay:
The Eastern Republic of Uruguay is a member of:[1]
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