1. Uruguay: the Switzerland of South America

2. Not because of any geographical similarity! 4 times larger than Switzerland highest peak is only 501 m no chocolate or watches! and certainly no Yodeling!

3. Swiss-like attributes (30-60s): peaceful country with a bountiful economy home to South America's first democracy cradle-to-grave welfare system urban, homogeneous and educated population Changes in world trade patterns led Uruguay into economic and political decline: not longer the Switzerland of South America

6. RIO DE LOS PAJAROS PINTADOS (RIVER OF COLORFUL BIRDS)

9. Denmark Albania Ireland Lesotho plus 9 x Andorra or 9000 Vatican cities!!!

10. ? Portugal Spain England Argentina Brazil Paraguay

11. Charrúas nomadic people fishing and foraging no permanent structures killed explorer Juan Díaz de Solís during his 1515 voyage up the Río de la Plata 1831: massacred at Salsipuedes ("Get-out-if-you-can") 4 survivors were taken to a museum and died in France

12. 1680: Portuguese founded Colonia as a rival to Spanish-held Buenos Aires 1726: Spain responded by building its own citadel at Montevideo 1815: the national hero, José Gervasio Artigas, declared independence 1816-1820: Portuguese captured Montevideo and Artigas fled to Paraguay 1821: Uruguay was annexed to Brazil

13. 1825: “33 orientales" ("33 Easterners") issued a declaration of independence Uruguay's first president, Rivera: the Colorados party (reds). The second president, Oribe: the Blancos party (whites) 1903-1929: President Batlle y Ordóñez: welfare state funded by meat and wool exports: “the Switzerland of South America” 1950s: decline as successive governments struggled to maintain a large bureaucracy and social benefits

14. 1960s: political and social crisis and left-wing terrorist activity 1973: military dictators control government, thousands of prisoners 1985: the brutal military regime ended; political and civil rights were restored 1980-90s: reforms to reduce inflation and public sector, and privatization 2002: recession and budget deficit, a growing public debt, and a weakening of the peso on international markets 2004: first victory of a left party: Socialist Broad Front won

15. Population white 94% (European) mestizo 6% amerindian nonexistent estimated 600,000 Uruguayans emigrated Spain, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Australia and USA Roman Catholic (62%) Protestant (4%) Jewish (3%), nonprofessing group (31%)

16. Education High literacy rate Compulsory for students aged 6–11 Free at all levels Montevideo: centre for higher education The University of the Republic (1849): distinguished medical school that draws students from the region Vocational training: Labour University of Uruguay (1878) Catholic University of Uruguay (1985): prominent private institution Discrepancy between university training and job opportunities Substantial level of emigration of the best-educated young professionals

17. December to March 80-100F June to September 40-60F September to December 60-70F March to June 60-70F

18. August 2005 120 miles/h wind 20,000 lost electricity and telephone airport was shut down 7 people killed

19. Economy Gross domestic product: U$11,646 (ranked 61 st ) Unemployment rate: 10.8% External debt: $11.4 billion Exports: $ 4.0 billion –Meat, rice, leather products, dairy, wool, electricity –Brazil, US, Argentina, China, Germany, Russia, Mexico Imports: $4.5 billion –Vehicles, electrical and industrial machinery, metals, petroleum –Brazil, Argentina, US, Paraguay, China, Venezuela

20. Economy Tourism –Seaside resorts –Punta del Este: jet set playground of South America –Ecotourism –International cruises: October to March –Montevideo: Mercosur secretariat, Common Market of the South (Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay) Software and consulting –well-educated workforce and lower wages: IT field –Tata Group: headquarters for the Spanish speaking world “Zona America” Business and Technology Park Financial and educational center for the Mercosur ???

21. Gauchos

22. Uruguayan food pyramid

24. Mate

26. Tango Carlos Gardel

27. Carnaval: candombe y llamadas

28. Soccer: Two world Cups 1930: vs Argentina 4-2 1950: vs Brazil 2-1 –Maracana stadium –Maracanazo: "The Maracana Blow“ –one of the biggest upsets in football history

29. Colonia del Sacramento

30. Montevideo

31. “Monte vide eu” “Monte VI De Este a Oeste”

32. La Rambla

33. Ciudad Vieja (Old Town)

35. Ferias

36. Punta del Este “Pearl of the Atlantic“ “the Hamptons of Latin America”

37. Punta del Este

38. Casapueblo - Carlos Paez Vilaró

39. Jose Ignacio Beach

40. Punta del Diablo (Devil's Point)

42. Cabo Polonio

43. Sierra de Minas (Minas range)

44. Towns……………..

45. Cerros Chatos (Flat Hills)

46. Thermal springs

47. Eco-estancias

49. “Uruguayans love beef, mate, soccer, the beach, and relaxing (but they are not lazy)!” Hector’ s tavern