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Background Note: Uruguay
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%)."
PEOPLE
Uruguayans share a Spanish linguistic and cultural
background, even though about one-quarter of the population is
of Italian origin. Most are nominally Roman Catholic although
the majority of Uruguayans do not actively practice a religion.
Church and state are officially separated.
Uruguay is distinguished by its high literacy rate, large urban
middle class, and relatively even income distribution. The
average Uruguayan standard of living compares favorably with
that of most other Latin Americans. Metropolitan Montevideo,
with about 1.4 million inhabitants, is the only large city. The
rest of the urban population lives in about 20 towns. During the
past two decades, an estimated 500,000 Uruguayans have
emigrated, principally to Argentina and Spain. Emigration to the
United States also rose significantly. 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. |