URUGUAY:
Surface: 176.215 km2
Population: 3.334. 052 (estimated for 2008)
Language: Spanish
Political System: Democratic Representative Republican
Currency: Uruguayan peso
Visa:  90 days
Official Educational System: secular, free and compulsory
Religion: Catholic 56,2 % - Atheist 38,3 % - Protestant 2 % - Jews: 1,7 %
Capital: Montevideo

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is located in South America, facing the Atlantic Ocean, in the mild zone of the Southern Hemisphere. Its name comes from the location of its land, to the east of river “Uruguay,” a guarani term that means: “River of the colored birds“. Its 650 Km. coast configures a necklace of enjoyable beaches, where the quality of the waters and its white sands, constitute an optimal environment for leisure and the practice of nautical sports.

The capital of Uruguay is one of the most important cities of South America, It is also the headquarters of the Mercosur.  It’s located on the shore of the River Plate, and it has a population of 1.330.405 inhabitants. It has an excellent natural port that together with the port of Buenos Aires are the main gates for the whole region’s commerce.

It’s a contemporary metropolis with a great cultural, economical, and commercial activity, with excellent level of environmental quality, and a highly educated population.

The population of Uruguay is from European origins, mostly Spanish and Italian, result of an open doors immigration policy. There is also a small afro-Uruguayan community that arrived to the country from the African coast. Regarding its native population, It’s been more than a century that the last natives disappeared from the whole national territory, what makes its population different from the rest of South America.

Uruguayan people present  high cultural level, they are open minded and attentive with the visitor, they have simple and familiar tastes and habits, they love outdoor life and sports specially football, passion and national sport par excellence.

The country economy is based in livestock production. Ovine and bovine cattle are the most important ones; meat, wool, leather and other sub products constitute the main exports. Although to a lesser degree, agriculture is also relevant, among the main crops we find wheat, rice, and soy.

Among the main attractions of Uruguay we can find Punta del Este, which is considered one of the most important and exclusive seaside resorts of South America.    

The city has a great infrastructure, a remarkable architecture, beautiful beaches, and an active night life.

Going farther east, the coast of Rocha offers the possibility of an intimate encounter with nature. It’s a place where little towns have emerged next to the impressive ocean. One of these rustic towns is “Cabo Polonio.” A rocky point with huge mobile sand dunes and two islands in front where of the most important sea lion reserves of the world is located. 
To the west of Montevideo, also on the sores of the River Plate, you can find Colonia del Sacramento, the oldest city of the country. It’s a place of charming beauty due to its colonial architecture, churches, military constructions, houses with yards and wells, streets made of stone that give testimony of the colonization period.