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 (2004): 3.2 million.
Annual growth rate: 0.6%.
Ethnic groups (est.): European descent 93%, African descent 5%,
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: Life expectancy (2004)--75.4 yrs. (79.2 yrs females;
71.3 yrs. males). Infant mortality rate--15/1,000 (2003).
Work force (1.3 million, 2004): Manufacturing--13.5%;
agriculture--4.0%; services--75%.
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 (2004 unless noted)
Gross domestic product (GDP): $13.2 billion; $11.2 billion (2003)
Annual growth rate: 12.3%; +2.5% (2003); -11.0% (2002); -3.4%
(2001).
Per capita GDP: $4,078; $3,309 (2003).
Natural resources: Arable land, pastures, hydroelectric power,
granite, marble.
Agriculture (13% of GDP): Products--beef, wool, rice, wheat,
barley, corn.
Industry (31.7% of GDP): Types--meat processing, wool,
textiles, leather, leather apparel, beverages and tobacco,
chemicals, cement, petroleum refining.
Services: 55% of GDP.
Trade: Exports (f.o.b.)--$2.9 billion: meat, wool, hides,
leather, wool products, fish, rice, furs. Major markets--United
States (19.8%), Brazil (16.3%), Argentina (7.6%), Germany (5.1%),
Mexico (4.0%), China (3.9%). Imports (c.i.f.)--$3.1 billion:
machinery, chemicals, fuel, vehicles. Major suppliers--Brazil
and Argentina (25.7% each), United States (9.0%), China (7.1%),
Germany (3.4%).