PROFILE

OFFICIAL NAME:
Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Geography
Area: 176,000 sq. km. (68,000 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than Oklahoma.
Cities: Capital--Montevideo (est. pop. 1.4 million).
Terrain: Plains and low hills; 84% agricultural.
Climate: Temperate.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Uruguayan(s).
Population (2006): 3.3 million.
Annual growth rate: 0.6%.
Ethnic groups (est.): European descent 93%, African descent 6%, mestizo 1%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 52%, Protestant and other Christian 16%, Jewish 2%, non-professing or other 30%.
Language: Spanish.
Education: Literacy (2004)--97%.
Health (2005): Life expectancy --75.6 yrs. (79.4 yrs females; 72.0 yrs. males). Infant mortality rate--14.3/1,000.
Work force (1.3 million, 2006): Manufacturing--16%; agriculture--7%; commerce, restaurants & hotels--23%; other services--43%.

Government
Type: Republic.
Independence: 1825.
Constitution: First 1830, current 1967, most recently amended December 1996.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state and head of government). Legislative--General Assembly consisting of a 99-seat Chamber of Deputies and a 30-seat Senate. Judicial--Supreme Court of Justice.
Administrative subdivisions: 19 departments with limited autonomy.
Political parties/coalitions: Colorado Party, Blanco (National) Party, Encuentro Progresista-Frente Amplio, Nuevo Espacio.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy (2005 unless noted)
Gross domestic product (GDP): $16.8 billion; $13.2 billion (2004).
Annual growth rate: +6.6%; +12.3% (2004); +2.5% (2003); -11.0% (2002).
Per capita GDP: $5,200; $4,100 (2004).
Natural resources: Arable land, pastures, hydroelectric power, granite, marble.
Agriculture (8.9% of GDP): Products--beef, wool, rice, wheat, barley, corn.
Industry (22.2% of GDP): Types--meat processing, wool, textiles, leather, leather apparel, beverages and tobacco, chemicals, cement, petroleum refining.
Services: About 60% of GDP.
Trade: Exports (f.o.b.)--$3.4 billion: meat, wool, hides, leather, wool products, fish, rice, furs. Major markets--United States (22%), Brazil (13%), Argentina (8%), Germany (4%). Imports (c.i.f.)--$3.9 billion: machinery, chemicals, fuel, vehicles. Major suppliers--Brazil (26%); Argentina (25%), United States (8%), China (8%), Germany (3%)."