With beaches and wide countryside, it is socially progressive and tranquil. Where exactly is Uruguay? Uruguay offers a unique location in South America that few people are aware of! Uruguay has a reputation for flying beneath the radar. Nothing much happens in this stable country of only 3,5 million people that makes international headlines.
Neither of these things draws attention away from our neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. While it is true that “no news is good news,” very few people are aware of who we are! Here are five facts about our country that set us apart.
- Uruguay is not the same as Paraguay
This may seem apparent, but it is a widespread misunderstanding. Paraguay is landlocked to the northwest, closer to the center of the continent. Uruguay is located on the Atlantic Ocean, further south.
- There has been a lot of rain, yet there has been no rainforest
Use North Carolina as a comparison for our humid subtropical climate. Summer temperatures average around 80°F, while winter temperatures remain above freezing. Summer also delivers a lot of severe lightning storms. The interior of the country is filled with rolling green hills and pasturelands, as well as scarce woods.
- Cows outnumber humans 4-1!
The vast bovine population explains why tourism and agriculture are critical sectors for us. They have the highest cow-person population per capita in the world! Ranches, on the other hand, are largely small-scale and run in the traditional manner. The Gaucho culture is very much alive and well in Uruguay. Agrotourism is extremely popular. It attracts visitors who want to experience traditional farm life or explore the countryside.
The beef sector in Uruguay has a sophisticated supply chain tracking system. Its goods have been certified as natural and grass-fed. They are also highly valued in the global market.
- What is the history of Uruguay?
The country was established in order to prevent colonial powers from going to war. The strategic position of Uruguay sparked a tug-of-war between the British, Portuguese, and Spanish. As a result, Montevideo was subjected to multiple sieges. A treaty in 1828 established Uruguay as an independent country and operated as a buffer zone.
- Marijuana is now legal in Uruguay
This is a fascinating Uruguayan fact. Registered Uruguayans can purchase cannabis from pharmacies. There are also cannabis clubs for those who want to produce their own cannabis. Numerous businesses are sprouting in order to enter the medical cannabis industry. This market aspires to become Uruguay’s next major industry.
- The beaches in Uruguay are famous for its security
Both beaches and safety are South America’s claims to fame. Uruguay has two beaches. One faces the Atlantic, while the other faces the River de la Plata. The famed resort of Punta del Este is where these two meet. During our summer season, wealthy vacationers take over this town (Dec-Feb). Many people consider the windswept beaches in the east to be the most beautiful.
They’re also ideal for surfing and communing with nature. Those looking for a family escape on the river outside of Montevideo are in luck. Several people have inherited vacation homes or ranches from previous generations. It’s quite typical to hear Portuguese spoken at the beach throughout the summer.
- The Uruguay Democracy Index
The Economist ranks Uruguay as the top Latin American country. We’re slightly ahead of the United Kingdom and ahead of the United States, which is ranked 25th. The date is November 15th, 2018.
- The middle class is the most numerous in this country
The World Bank estimates that the middle class accounts for 60% of Uruguay’s population. From 2006 to 2016, the proportion of people living in moderate poverty fell from 32.5% to 9.4%. In addition, extreme poverty fell from 2.5% to 0.2%. We have the most populous middle class in the Americas.
- Proposal for Free Laptops for Children
Ceibal is a state effort that promotes equity in public education. It also ensures that children in rural and underserved communities do not fall behind. In addition to laptops, the program offers online English sessions to rural pupils via teachers in Montevideo.
- The Biggest Software Exporter Per Capita
The government is working on expanding our technology sector while also enhancing technological infrastructure. Our internet connection is first-rate. WiFi is also available for free in public plazas and parks. The IT business also has significant advantages. Among these benefits is a tax break for technology exports.
- Uruguay is South America’s smallest Spanish-speaking country
Suriname is the smallest country in South America, yet because it was once part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dutch is still the official language. As a result, Uruguay is the smallest country in South America and the only one where Spanish is the primary language.
Uruguayans, like most South American countries, have Spanish and Italian ancestry, with few indigenous people remaining following colonization. The majority of citizens speak Portuguese after Spanish.
- Uruguay translates as “river of painted birds.”
Uruguay is named after the Uruguay River, which means “river where the bird resides,” “river of the painted birds,” “river of the snails,” or “winding river” in Guaran. The Uruguay River forms the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay, which is why the country’s official name is “The Oriental Republic of Uruguay” because it is located to the east of the Uruguay River.
- Uruguay is the world’s largest consumer of beef
Despite having a far lower population than their beef-loving Argentine neighbors, Uruguay consumes the most beef (per person) in the world! Therefore, while theoretically more beef is consumed in Argentina, each Uruguayan consumes more meat than each Argentine.
And we all know how much Argentines adore meat, so the Uruguayans must be crazy about it! Uruguay, like Argentina, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand, has more cows than people, which makes sense for a carnivorous country. In fact, sheep and cattle farming account for 59.6% of Uruguay’s land area.
- It has the world’s longest national anthem.
Uruguay gained complete independence in 1828, although there was no national anthem at the time. Francisco Esteban Acua de Figueroa, a poet (say that five times fast!), offered to write one. It was so warmly welcomed that it was swiftly authorized by the government.
- Uruguay hosted the first World Cup
Soccer/football is the most popular sport in Uruguay, as it is in many other South American countries. Uruguay hosted the first international soccer match in 1902, as well as the inaugural World Cup event in 1930. This occurred when soccer was removed from the Olympic schedule, despite the fact that Uruguay had won back-to-back gold medals in Paris in 1924 and Amsterdam in 1928!
Uruguay won the first World Cup and again in 1950, which was especially significant because they defeated the favorites, Brazil, in Brazil!
- Mate is a national obsession in Uruguay
The Guaran is a South American indigenous tribe that typically came from the regions surrounding Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil. As we previously discussed, the term Uruguay is derived from their native tongue. Mate is one of their traditional drinks, and it is still extremely popular in the region, even going so far as to be the national drink of Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina.
- Every month on the 29th, Uruguayans celebrate Gnocchi Day!
Gnocchi Day (Dia de oquis) is celebrated on the 29th of each month in Uruguay, and it is the day when most families prepare this potato-based pasta. Because gnocchi is produced from inexpensive components like potatoes and flour, it was the perfect satisfying supper on the day before payday when people were running low on money.
- In Uruguay, there is no salt in the eateries
Uruguay has struggled with obesity and high blood pressure as a result of many residents ingesting more salt than the WHO recommends. To remedy this, the government enacted legislation to make salt more difficult to obtain: the salt shaker has been banned!
Salt is prohibited in schools and on restaurant tables in Uruguay. If you want salt, you must request it from the waiter. The same is true for ketchup and mayonnaise. The regulation also mandates eateries to post warnings about salt intake on their menus and to offer low-sodium alternatives to their customers.
- Uruguay is a leader in LGBTQ rights
Many people are unaware that Uruguay is a very gay country (due to its tiny size and unassuming nature). It’s so gay that our Argentine friends frequently remark, “There are no truly straight males in Uruguay – they’re all bi or gay!”
Being gay was legalized in Uruguay in 1934 (far before the United States in 2003 and the United Kingdom in 1967), and there have been anti-discrimination laws in effect since 2003, adoption legislation since 2009, and gay marriage since early 2013. Uruguay has long been regarded as a liberal country. For example, it legalized divorce in 1907 and was the first South American country to establish a welfare state in 1903.
- Tango originated in Uruguay
This is not entirely correct. Argentina and Uruguay cannot claim sole ownership of the tango. The urban lower classes of Buenos Aires and Montevideo in the Río de la Plata Basin invented this seductive dance. Tango arose from the blending of African musical traditions with European and Creole instruments and rhythms.
Nowadays, the tango is a world-renowned dance of drama and passion. Tango scenes can be found in several well-known films, including Evita, Moulin Rouge, True Lies, Chicago, and, of course, Last Tango in Paris.
Thus, in this article, we have discovered some of the most interesting facts about Uruguay. To know more, follow this website.
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my Next startup Cledemy.Com)
