Climate | Population | Eduaction | Government

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay was named after the River Uruguay and its location on the West of the river. This geographical fact and other historical circumstances played their part in the fact that local people are still called “orientales”, which is the Spanish term for Easterners. However, it stands to reason that Uruguay is a Western country. As for the term “Uruguay” itself, it derives from the Guaraní language, and is translated as “river where the bird lives”.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• President: Sr. José Mujica
• Vice President: Cr. Danilo Astori
• Minister of Tourism: Mr. Héctor Lescano
• Territorial Surface: 176,215 km²
• Jurisdictional Waters: 137,567 km²
• Total Surface: 313,782 km²
• Population: 3,151,662 (1996)
• Capital city: Montevideo
• Language: Spanish
• Political System: Representative Democratic and Republican
• Currency: Uruguayan Peso
• VISA: Granted for 90 days

Migration Requirements:

• Coming from bordering countries: ID card
• Coming from the rest of the world: passport

Average Temperatures:

• Spring: 17ºC
• Summer: 23ºC
• Fall: 18ºC
• Winter: 12ºC

National Holidays:

• January 1st
• May 1st
• July 18th
• August 25th
• December 25th

Further information:

• Member of U.N, O.A.S., A.L.A.D.I. and MERCOSUR
• Last constitutional amendments: November 28th, 1996
• Population density: 17.8 inhabitants per km²
• Cultural Profile: Literacy: 96.2%, Pupils per teacher: 21
• Official Educational System: Secular, Free and Compulsory
• Religion: Catholics: 56.2%, Non-religious: 38.3%, Protestants: 2%, Jews: 1.7%

Source: Ministry of Tourism and Sports