Uruguay: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:27, 10 March 2025

History[edit]

Uruguay, officially known as the República Oriental del Uruguay, is a country in the southeastern region of South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and the Río de la Plata to the south. The country has a rich history that dates back to the pre-Columbian era when it was inhabited by the Charrúa people.

The first European to explore Uruguay was the Spanish explorer Juan Díaz de Solís in 1516. However, it was the Portuguese who established the first European settlement in the region at Colonia del Sacramento in 1680. The Spanish later founded Montevideo in 1726 as a strategic move to counter Portuguese expansion.

During the early 19th century, Uruguay was caught in the struggle for independence from Spain, which was part of the larger Latin American wars of independence. The country declared its independence on August 25, 1825, after a series of conflicts known as the Cisplatine War

The 19th Century[edit]

The 19th century was marked by political instability and civil wars, including the Guerra Grande (1839-1851), a civil war between the Blancos and Colorados, the two main political parties. The Battle of Caseros in 1852 was a significant event that led to the end of the Juan Manuel de Rosas regime in Argentina, impacting Uruguay's political landscape.

20th Century to Present[edit]

In the 20th century, Uruguay became known for its advanced social legislation and welfare state, earning the nickname "the Switzerland of South America." The country experienced a period of economic prosperity in the early 20th century, but this was followed by economic decline and political turmoil in the 1960s and 1970s, culminating in a military dictatorship from 1973 to 1985.

Since the restoration of democracy in 1985, Uruguay has been a stable democracy with a growing economy. It is known for its progressive policies, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and the regulation of the cannabis market.

Geography[edit]

Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America, with a total area of approximately 176,000 square kilometers. The country is mostly flat, with a few hilly areas in the south. The Rio de la Plata and the Uruguay River are the main water bodies.

The climate is temperate, with warm summers and mild winters. The country is divided into 19 departments, each with its own local government.

Economy[edit]

Uruguay has a mixed economy with a high level of social spending. The country is known for its agricultural products, particularly beef and wool, and has a growing services sector. Montevideo is the economic and financial center of the country.

Uruguay is a member of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), which has helped boost trade with neighboring countries.

Culture[edit]

Uruguayan culture is a blend of European influences, particularly Spanish and Italian, with indigenous elements. The country is known for its tango music and dance, as well as its candombe and murga performances.

Football is the most popular sport in Uruguay, and the country has a rich football history, having won the FIFA World Cup twice, in 1930 and 1950.

Related pages[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Legislative Palace
Piria Palace, Montevideo
Map of the departments of Uruguay
Mercosur headquarters
M41A3 Walker Bulldog
GDP per capita development of Uruguay
World Trade Center Montevideo
Punta del Este
Colonia del Sacramento
Carrasco International Airport
Punta del Este Airport
Church of San Carlos
Faculty of Medicine, Montevideo
Italian Hospital in Montevideo
Casapueblo
Tango dancers in Montevideo
Murga performance
Estadio Centenario

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-'''Uruguay''', officially known as the '''Oriental Republic of Uruguay''' (República Oriental del Uruguay), is a country located in the southeastern region of [[South America]]. It is bordered by [[Brazil]] to the north and east, the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the southeast, and [[Argentina]] to the west and southwest. The country's capital and largest city is [[Montevideo]].
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
+==History==
+[[File:Sol_de_Mayo-Bandera_de_Uruguay.svg|Flag of Uruguay|thumb]]
+[[File:PortugueseMuseum-Colonia4_(cropped).jpg|Portuguese Museum in Colonia|thumb]]
+[[File:Juan_Manuel_Blanes_-_El_Juramento_de_los_Treinta_y_Tres_Orientales.jpg|The Oath of the Thirty-Three Orientals|left|thumb]]
+[[File:Caseros.jpg|Battle of Caseros|thumb]]
+[[File:Palaciosalvouruguay.jpg|Salvo Palace, Montevideo|left|thumb]]
+Uruguay, officially known as the República Oriental del Uruguay, is a country in the southeastern region of South America. It is bordered by [[Brazil]] to the north, the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the southeast, and the [[Río de la Plata]] to the south. The country has a rich history that dates back to the pre-Columbian era when it was inhabited by the [[Charrúa]] people.
-== History ==
+The first European to explore Uruguay was the Spanish explorer [[Juan Díaz de Solís]] in 1516. However, it was the Portuguese who established the first European settlement in the region at [[Colonia del Sacramento]] in 1680. The Spanish later founded [[Montevideo]] in 1726 as a strategic move to counter Portuguese expansion.
-Uruguay's history dates back to the times of the indigenous [[Charrúa people]], who were the region's primary inhabitants before the arrival of Europeans. The first European to set foot in what is now Uruguay was the Spanish explorer [[Juan Díaz de Solís]] in 1516. Uruguay remained under Spanish rule until 1825, when it gained independence following a series of conflicts involving Spain, Argentina, and Brazil, known as the [[Cisplatine War]].
-== Geography ==
+During the early 19th century, Uruguay was caught in the struggle for independence from Spain, which was part of the larger [[Latin American wars of independence]]. The country declared its independence on August 25, 1825, after a series of conflicts known as the [[Cisplatine War]]
-Uruguay is the second-smallest country in South America, with a total area of approximately 176,000 square kilometers. The country's landscape is characterized by rolling plains and low hill ranges (cuchillas) with a fertile coastal lowland. Uruguay has a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters.
-== Economy ==
+===The 19th Century===
-Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of social spending. The country's main exports include beef, soybeans, cellulose, rice, wheat, dairy products, and wool. Uruguay is also known for its strong [[IT industry]] and has one of the highest software exports per capita in Latin America.
+The 19th century was marked by political instability and civil wars, including the [[Guerra Grande]] (1839-1851), a civil war between the [[Blancos]] and [[Colorados]], the two main political parties. The [[Battle of Caseros]] in 1852 was a significant event that led to the end of the [[Juan Manuel de Rosas]] regime in Argentina, impacting Uruguay's political landscape.
-== Culture ==
+===20th Century to Present===
-Uruguayan culture is a blend of indigenous and European influences, with strong ties to its neighbors Argentina and Brazil. The country is known for its rich literary tradition, with notable authors such as [[Juan Carlos Onetti]] and [[Mario Benedetti]]. Uruguay is also famous for its music, particularly the tango, and its national dance, the [[Candombe]].
+In the 20th century, Uruguay became known for its advanced social legislation and welfare state, earning the nickname "the Switzerland of South America." The country experienced a period of economic prosperity in the early 20th century, but this was followed by economic decline and political turmoil in the 1960s and 1970s, culminating in a military dictatorship from 1973 to 1985.
-== Government and Politics ==
+Since the restoration of democracy in 1985, Uruguay has been a stable democracy with a growing economy. It is known for its progressive policies, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and the regulation of the cannabis market.
-Uruguay is a democratic republic with a presidential system. The President of Uruguay is both the head of state and head of government. Uruguay is known for its progressive policies in Latin America, with laws supporting same-sex marriage, abortion, and cannabis.
-== See Also ==
+==Geography==
-* [[History of Uruguay]]
+Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America, with a total area of approximately 176,000 square kilometers. The country is mostly flat, with a few hilly areas in the south. The [[Rio de la Plata]] and the [[Uruguay River]] are the main water bodies.
-* [[Geography of Uruguay]]
-* [[Economy of Uruguay]]
+The climate is temperate, with warm summers and mild winters. The country is divided into 19 departments, each with its own local government.
-* [[Culture of Uruguay]]
-* [[Politics of Uruguay]]
+==Economy==
+Uruguay has a mixed economy with a high level of social spending. The country is known for its agricultural products, particularly beef and wool, and has a growing services sector. [[Montevideo]] is the economic and financial center of the country.
+Uruguay is a member of the [[Southern Common Market]] (Mercosur), which has helped boost trade with neighboring countries.
+==Culture==
+Uruguayan culture is a blend of [[European]] influences, particularly Spanish and Italian, with indigenous elements. The country is known for its [[tango]] music and dance, as well as its [[candombe]] and [[murga]] performances.
+[[Football]] is the most popular sport in Uruguay, and the country has a rich football history, having won the [[FIFA World Cup]] twice, in 1930 and 1950.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Montevideo]]
+* [[Jose Gervasio Artigas]]
+* [[Candombe]]
+* [[Uruguayan cuisine]]
+==Gallery==
+<gallery>
+File:Palacio_Legislativo--.JPG|Legislative Palace
+File:Palacio_Piria,_Montevideo_05.jpg|Piria Palace, Montevideo
+File:Departments_of_Uruguay_(map).png|Map of the departments of Uruguay
+File:Sede_Del_Mercosur_02.jpg|Mercosur headquarters
+File:R.O.C_Marine_Corps_M41A3_Walker_Bulldog_front_view.jpg|M41A3 Walker Bulldog
+File:GDP_per_capita_development_of_Uruguay.svg|GDP per capita development of Uruguay
+File:World_Trade_Center_Montevideo.jpg|World Trade Center Montevideo
+File:Punta_del_este3.jpg|Punta del Este
+File:Colo_do_sac_1.jpg|Colonia del Sacramento
+File:Aeropuerto_carrasco.jpg|Carrasco International Airport
+File:Aeropuerto_Punta_del_Este.png|Punta del Este Airport
+File:Iglesia_de_San_Carlos_1.jpg|Church of San Carlos
+File:Facultad_de_Medicina,_Montevideo_25.jpg|Faculty of Medicine, Montevideo
+File:2016_Edificio_del_Hospital_Italiano_Umberto_I,_ubicado_en_la_Av._Italia,_Br._Gral._Artigas_y_Jorge_Canning_en_Montevideo_(Uruguay).jpg|Italian Hospital in Montevideo
+File:Casapueblo.jpg|Casapueblo
+File:Tango_dancers_in_Montevideo.png|Tango dancers in Montevideo
+File:Murgas_(Vazquez,_Marzo_2005_-2).jpg|Murga performance
+File:Estadio_centenario_2.JPG|Estadio Centenario
+</gallery>
-[[Category:South America]]
-[[Category:Countries in South America]]
 [[Category:Uruguay]]
-{{SouthAmerica-stub}}
-{{Uruguay-stub}}