Uruguay Capital – Montevideo

Facts About Uruguay Population: 3,368,595 (2011) Total Area: 68,037 sq. miles Currency:   Uruguayan peso 1 USD = 18.78 UYU

People in Uruguay Language in Uruguay white 88% mestizo 8% black 4% Amerindian (practically nonexistent) Official Language – Spanish English is spoken as the language of business Language in Uruguay

Religion in Uruguay Although 46% of its population practices Catholicism, Uruguay is the most non-religious country in the Americas Less than half church regularly Attendance in church is higher among women and those who are enjoying higher economic status in the society. Around 11% are Protestant, and they are more active in practicing their belief. Other A small percentage of the population claims to be Jews. 2% of the population belongs to The Church of Jesus of the Latter-Day Saints. Almost 17% of the populations are Atheist. Islam – 1% 33% believes in God but is not affiliated with any religious sect.

Government in Uruguay Constitutional republic 19 Departments Voting - 18 years – compulsory President – 5 year terms – may not serve consecutive terms

Living Conditions in Uruguay Montevideo is a modern city, with high-rise apartments and office buildings. Many of the poorer residents, however, live in small homes or shacks on the outskirts of the city. In rural areas, Uruguayan cowboys, called gauchos, live in simple communal housing on farms where they work. Other rural dwellers live in adobe homes.

Sports and Recreation In Uruguay Uruguayans love soccer (futbol) both as spectators and participants. They are equally passionate about horses. Rodeos always well attended Horse racing very popular passion for polo Many Uruguayan families flock to the beaches on weekends for rest and recreation. The coastal forests provide numerous sites for camping and fishing. Montevideo has a varied night life. Restaurants, cinemas, and musical shows are widely attended on weekends.

Fast Facts About Uruguay Uruguay is rated as the least corrupt country in Latin America, along with Chile. Uruguayans are known to eat lots of meat! They especially enjoy beef platters and steak sandwiches. Uruguay has won two FIFA world cups – the smallest populated country ever to do so. In 2009, Uruguay became the first nation in the world to provide every school child with a free laptop and wireless internet. Uruguay is the first South American country to legalize same-sex civil unions at the National level. Cities have spacious green areas and because of the continuity of the winds and the lack of pollutant industries, there is hardly any environmental pollution.