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The Eastern Republic of Uruguay (translated from the Spanish Republica Oriental del Uruguay, also translated as the Republic East of the River Uruguay), is a country in southern South America. The nation is triangular in shape and is bordered by Brazil to the north, the Uruguay River to the west, the estuary of the Rio de la Plata (River Plate) to the southwest, with Argentina on the other bank of both, and finally the South Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. About one-half of its people live in the capital and largest city, Montevideo.

The name "Uruguay" comes from the language of the Guarani of Paraguay, "Uru" meaning "other side" and "guay" meaning "river." The nation is the second-smallest country in south America and is one of the most politically and economically stable.

Uruguay is the second-smallest country in South America and the landscape features mostly rolling plains and low hills (cuchilla) with a fertile coastal lowland; most of it grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising. The highest point in the country is the Cerro Catedral at 514 m. To the southwest is the Rio de la Plata (Silver River), the estuary of the Uruguay River that forms the western border, and the Parana River, that does not run through Uruguay itself. The only other major river is the Rio Negro and several lagoons are found along the Atlantic coast.

The climate in Uruguay is temperate, but fairly warm as freezing temperatures are almost unknown. The predominantly flat landscape is also somewhat vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts, as well as to the pampero, a chilly and occasionally violent wind blowing north from the pampas plains in Argentina.

As a Spanish-speaking country of Latin America, most Uruguayans share a Spanish cultural background, even though about one-quarter of the population is of Italian origin. Some 88% of the population is of European descent, with mestizos (8%) and blacks (4%) forming the only significant ethnic minorities. Church and state are officially separated, with most adhering to the Roman Catholic faith (66%), with smaller Protestant (2%) and Jewish (1%) communities, as well as a large nonprofessing group (31%).

Uruguay is distinguished by its high literacy rate, large urban middle class, and relatively even income distribution. During the past two decades, an estimated 500,000 Uruguayans have emigrated, principally to Argentina and Brazil. As a result of the low birth rate, high life expectancy, and relatively high rate of emigration of younger people, Uruguay's population is quite mature.

Uruguay consists of '19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento):

Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres

Places to go:

Montevideo is the very lively capital of Urugay. It is a stylish city with a strong European feel to it. The city was founded in 1726 on a promontory between the Rio del Plata and an inner bay; this area is still known as the Ciudad Vieja and is the area of main interest for visitors. The heart of the old city beats on the Plaza de la Constitucion. On one site is the Catedral with the historic Cabildo, opposite is the Museo Historico Nacional. On the south side is a quite unusual fountain dating from 1881 with an inscription in Spanish that contains a few spelling errors.

Just west along the Calle Rincon is the Plaza Zabal with a monument to the founder of the city: Zabala. Three blocks north of here and you are in the docks, three blocks south and you are on the rambla Francia, on the Rio del Plata.

Going east from here via the pedestrianized Calle Sarandi, you enter the new city after crossing the Plaza de la Independencia. This is the biggest Plaza of the city. On it you will find the mausoleum of Artigas, the Casa de Gobierno Historico and the Palacio Salvo.

East from here the Avenida 18 Julio takes you to the Tres Cruses Bus Terminal.

The Parque Nacional Santa Teresa is a very well kept national park with palm lined avenues and plantation of exotic trees. There are also botanical gardens, a zoo, some fresh water pools for bathing and good beaches - note that the surf is very rough here. On the site you also find an old Portuguese fort (also called Santa Teresa) which is well worth a visit.

There are different campsites on the premises where you can spend the night. There are also a few bungalows.

Punta del este The tiny peninsula of Punta del Este, with its yacht harbor and expensive hotels, is Uruguay's most spectacular beach resort. There are two kind of beaches, one at the ocean side and one at the bay side. Each summer, this glamorous Atlantic town draws rich and famous tourists from Europe and South America. Apart form its fantastic beaches, the lively, chic resort of Punta del Este has superb food and scenery. The area is clean and not too pricey: a weekend would cost a couple about $200 (U.S.) for lodging and meals. All the Argentinean and Brazilian jet sets spend their summers ( Dec. to March )there. The nightlife is amazing. There are three casinos with the most beautiful women in the world. but be careful, there are drugs, too.

Salto' is a pretty town of about 80,000 people in the centre of an Orange growing area. The main attraction is the Salto Dam, some 20 km from town. Tours to the dam can be arranged through the tourist office. The Parque Solari is northeast of the centre of town and although it is a bit run down it is still well worth a visit. Salto is close to the border with Brazil and most travelers will probably either be going or coming that way.

Close to town are a number of hot springs. Fuente Salto is 6 km north of town, Termas del Dayman are 10 km south.

Culture
Uruguay may be a small country but it has impressive artistic and literary traditions. International acclaim has greeted artists such as Pedro Figari, a painter of bucolic scenes, and Jose Enrique Rodo, arguably the nation's greatest writer. Theater is popular and playwrights such as Mauricio Rosencof - a former Tupamaros founder tortured by the military government in the 1970s - are prominent in cultural life. Most of the country's musical and dance traditions (folk songs, polkas, waltzes, tangos, etc) came from Europe but developed local hybrids. Football is a national obsession.

Uruguayans who profess a religion are almost exclusively Roman Catholic, but the Church and state are officially separate. Other religions have made small inroads: There is a small Jewish community in Montevideo, several evangelical Protestant groups and traces of Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church.

Uruguayans are voracious meat eaters and the parrillada (beef platter) is a national standard. Another standard is chivito, a tasty and substantial steak sandwich with all the trimmings. Typical snacks include olimpicos (club sandwiches) and hungaros (spicy sausage wrapped in a hot dog roll). Tea or mate is quaffed in enormous quantities. Clerico, a mixture of white wine and fruit juice, and medio y medio, part sparkling wine and part white wine, are popular, and the beer is pretty good.

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