30 fascinating facts about Uruguay - Uruguay is a South American country rich in history and culture. It belonged to the Empire of Brazil until 1825, when it became independent. Learn more about Uraguay in this fascinating gallery!

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Territory - The Eastern Republic of Uruguay is a country in the southeast of South America. it borders Brazil to the northeast and Argentina to the west across the Rio de la Plata.

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Metropolis - The largest cities in the country are the capital of Montevideo, Salto, and Paysandu. Uruguay has a population of approximately 3.5 million, more than half of whom live in Montevideo.

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Population - The population is largely of European descent, mainly from Spanish and Italian colonizers. There is also a significant mestizo population and direct descendants of African immigrants.

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Independence - Uruguay gained independence from the Empire of Brazil on 25 August 1825, after numerous revolts. The country then joined a regional federation with Argentina.

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Independence - The regional federation defeated Brazil after three years of war. The 1828 Treaty of Montevideo, mediated by the British, gave birth to Uruguay as an independent state. The country's first constitution was adopted in 1830.

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Politics - The country has a Presidential Republic and has been governed by President Tabaré Vázquez since 2015.

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Beef - The country is one of the largest meat exporters on the American continent. Uruguay has more than 10 million cattle, which is almost three times its human population.

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Social equality - Uruguay was the first Latin American country to recognize same-sex civil unions, in 2007. In 2009, the adoption of children by gay couples was allowed and in 2010, a ban that prohibited homosexuals from enlisting in the armed forces was lifted.

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Soccer - Uruguay was the first country to host the World Cup, in 1930. Thirteen teams competed and Uruguay won the title!

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Soccer - Soccer is the country's favorite sport and Uruguay has won two world titles: in 1930 and 1950. The main teams are National, Peñarol, and Montevideo Wanderers.

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Carnival - Uruguay has the longest carnival festival in the world, lasting 40 days. In addition to parades by groups called comparsas, the event includes theater, music, and dance performances.

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Typical drink - Mate is the favorite drink of Uruguay. This caffeine-rich infusion is popular throughout Latin American and you can spot people drinking it in public throughout Uruguay.

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Meaning - The country's name means "river of the painted birds."

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National anthem - The Uruguayan national anthem is the longest in the world, with 92 verses and a duration of six minutes.

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Sports - Cricket was once one of the most popular sports in the country, particularly during the 18th century. The sport was later surpassed by soccer.

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Extra vacation - In addition to work and school vacations, Uruguayans have a secular holiday of up to nine consecutive days to travel. Tourism Week coincides with Easter and is much appreciated.

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Education - Uruguay places high priority on teaching and in 2009 it was the first country in the world to provide a computer to every pupil aged 6 to 11.

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Language - The most widely spoken language in Uruguay is Spanish. It has some differences from Spanish in Europe due to the Italian influence here. English is common in the business world and its study has increased significantly in recent years, especially among young people.

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Religion - Uruguay does not have an official religion and church and state are officially separated. Religious freedom is a constitutional right. A survey conducted in 2008 by the Uruguayan National Statistics Institute indicated that 45.7% of the population is Catholic.

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Rights - On 3 July 1927, Uruguay became the first country in Latin America to approve women's right to vote. Years earlier, in 1907, divorce laws were implemented in the country.

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Legalization - In 2014, Uruguay was the first country in the world to regulate the consumption of marijuana, which from that moment was sold to registered users in pharmacies.

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Climate - Uruguay is the only Latin American country outside the tropical zone, which makes its climate mild.

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Animals - There are three sheep for each person in Uruguay.

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Military - The country's military expenditures are reimbursed by the UN because most of the budget is spent on peacekeeping forces.

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Flag - The sun on the Uruguayan flag represents the Sun of May. This symbol makes reference to the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata, a Spanish colony that included Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

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Gastronomy - The typical dish of Uruguay is the chivito: a meat sandwich usually covered with mayonnaise and served with fries, Russian salad, and other sides.

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Historical city - The city of Colonia do Sacramento was founded by the Portuguese in 1680, 137 years before Uruguay was incorporated into Brazil. In 1995 it was listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Rio de la Plata - Montevideo and Buenos Aires (the capital of Argentina) are separated by the Rio de la Plata. The easiest way to get from one capital to another is by boat. The proximity of these cities has led to shared culture between the two.

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Pets - Uruguayans love dogs. In Montevideo it is rare to find a family who does not have one. In addition, the country has a strict law that severely punishes animal cruelty.

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Tourism - Marinas are spread throughout the nation and are one of the country's tourist attractions. Uruguay is also a paradise for beach lovers and in 2008, it was considered the most luxurious resort in South America by Forbes magazine.

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Table salt - Uruguay has banned salt from restaurant tables. To circumvent the law, some restaurants make the salt available elsewhere.

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