Uruguay

Country

Uruguay is a country located in the southeastern part of South America. It is bordered by Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to the north, Uruguay River to the west, the estuary of the Rio de la Plata to the southwest, and by Atlantic Ocean to the south-east.Uruguay is geographically the 2nd smallest country in South America, with 660 km of coastline and a landscape that's filled with rolling plains and low hill ranges. Montevideo, the capital city, is the southernmost capital in the region, as well as the 3rd southernmost in the world.

Business Economy

Agriculture, specifically stock raising, is of primary importance to the economy, although manufacturing is increasing in significance. Most businesses are privately owned, but the government operates the state railways, electrical power and telephones, and the official broadcasting service. Textiles and textile products, meats, fish, rice, and hides are the most important exports. Tourism, especially from Argentina, is an increasingly important source of foreign currency. Uruguay imports raw materials for manufacturing, fuel and lubricants, food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, construction materials, synthetic plastics and resins, machinery and parts, and motor vehicles

Natural Resources

arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish.

The country's principal resources are agricultural; minerals are scarce. Except for the sandy, marshy soils along the eastern coast, the soils are generally very fertile. A lush grass cover provides ample supplies of organic matter, and moderate, evenly distributed rainfall prevents excessive leaching, which can wash nutrients out of soil. Hydroelectric power is of major importance in Uruguay.

Higher Education

Education is free and compulsory in Uruguay, for ages 4 to 14. There are 6 levels of education: early childhood, primary, basic secondary, upper secondary, and higher education. Uruguay is part of the One Laptop per Child project, and in 2009, became the first ever country in the world to provide a laptop to every child in the primary level.

Uruguay has only one public university, the University of the Republic founded in 1849, and four private universities; Universidad Católica del Uruguay (www.ucu.edu.uy), Universidad ORT Uruguay (www.ort.edu.uy), Universidad de la Empresa (www.ude.edu.uy), and Universidad de Montevideo. Education at the University of the Republic was free and, in general, open to all those possessing a bachillerato, or certificate awarded for completion of both cycles of general secondary education

Tourism

Uruguay is a South American country known for its verdant interior and beach-lined coast. The capital, Montevideo, revolves around Plaza Independencia, once home to a Spanish citadel. It leads to Ciudad Vieja (Old City), with art deco buildings, colonial homes and Mercado del Puerto, an old port market with many steakhouses. La Rambla, a waterfront promenade, passes fish stalls, piers and parks. Montevideo is the capital, and boasts of European and colonial architecture. Its top landmarks that are a must-visit are the Teatro Solis, the old city quarter, and the Rambla promenade of 13km of white sandy beaches.

Colonia de Sacramento is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a top destination. The town is filled with churches, museums, ancient homes, river promenades, cobble-stone streets, and its famous bullring - the Antique Plaza de Toros.

Climate Weather

Uruguay has a temperate climate. The average temperature for the warmest months, January and February, is 21.7°C (71°F), and for the coldest month, June, 10°C (50°F). Rainfall is well distributed and averages about 890 mm (about 35 in) a year. During the winter months cold storms, known as pamperos, blow from the southwest, but frost is virtually unknown in most parts of the country.

Required clothing

Look in your own closet. Uruguayans use western dress, so you can likely wear things that you already own.Keep it low key. Depending on where you’re traveling, consider dressing somewhat conservatively. This doesn’t mean you should dress like a nun, but super-tight and low-cut tops should probably be saved for the clubs.Avoid wearing flashy jewelry or other items that would draw too much attention to yourself.Wear simple colors and basic accessories.Uruguayans usually dress pretty casually. Jeans, shorts and t-shirts for men are acceptable as well as jeans, shorts and skirts for women.Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to do a lot of walki