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Uruguay republic, in east central South America, is the second smallest country on the continent. This country is bounded on the north by Brazil, on the east by Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Atlantic Ocean and the Ro de la Plata, and on the west by Argentina. The Uruguay River forms Uruguay's western boundary in full. Uruguay's land mass in whole is a small 176, 215 sq km.
Uruguay's capital city is Montevideo which is the main port, and economic center of the country. The currency of Uruguay is the peso uruguay (7. 97 peso uruguay equal U. S. $ 1). This country's main sport entertainment is soccer. In 1516 Uruguay was discovered by the Spanish explorer Juan Daz de Sols.
He was killed that same year by the Charrua, a local native tribe. Future attempts to colonize the territory during the 16 th century were discouraged by this native tribe also. In 1624 the first permanent settlement was made by the Spanish on the Ro Negro at Soriano. Between 1680 and 1683, Portuguese colonists in Brazil established several settlements along the Ro de la Plata opposite Buenos Aires. However, the Spanish didn't make any attempts to remove the Portuguese until the year of 1723, when the latter began fortifying the heights around the Bay of Montevideo. A Spanish expedition forced the Portuguese to abandon this site, and there the Spanish founded the city of Montevideo in 1726.
In present times, Uruguay has 660 km of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and its bay, the Ro de la Plata. The country also has an additional 813 km of frontage along its boundary rivers, including the Uruguay River. Uruguay's terrain varies for the different areas of the small country. In the southern areas of Uruguay the land consists of grassy plains, and the marshlands along the country's Atlantic coast. In the northern areas of Uruguay, not to mention the northwest area, there is a low plateau called the Cuchilla de Had. Uruguay's climate is a very temperate one.
The average temperature for the warmest months 71 F, and for the coldest month, June, 50 F. Rainfall is also very well distributed along the year, and averages about 35 in a year. During the winter months cold storms blow from the southwest, yet frost is almost unknown in most parts of this country. This country has some resources that contribute to their money intake. It's principal resources are mostly involved in agriculture. Minerals are not very common in this area of South America.
The soils are mostly very fertile, except for the sandy, marshy soils along the eastern coast. Hydroelectric power is of major importance in Uruguay. The principal hydroelectric power plant is Salto Grande on the Uruguay River. Two other plants are in operation on the Ro Negro, and another, on the Brazilian border, was constructed during the 1980 s. The electric power industry is under the control of the government. The people of Uruguay are mostly of European origin, many of them foreign-born, and come mainly from Spain and Italy They also come from Brazil, Argentina, and France.
Only about 5 to 10 percent are of mixed European and Native American ancestry, or as they call it, mestizos. The population of Uruguay is 3, 261, 709 in a poll taken in 1997. The average population density is 19 persons per sq km. Most of the population is concentrated near the coast line. Very little of the population is rural. Uruguay has many cities, but a few seem to show above the rest.
The principal cities of Uruguay are Montevideo, the country's capital, chief port, and economic center; Salto, a center of commerce, shipping, and the meat-salting and meat-packing industries; and Paysand, a port and center of the meat-packing and frozen-meat industries. Most of the major cities have ports, and can do business using the ocean as a mean of travel. Despite its small size, Uruguay has one of the highest rates of literacy in Latin America. Primary education is mandatory, and Uruguay is one of the few nations in the western hemisphere in which all education is free. This includes colleges as well as postgraduate works. Uruguay's economy relies on agriculture.
Agriculture, is of primary importance to the economy. Manufacturing is also increasing in importance. Most businesses in Uruguay are privately owned, but the government operates the state railways, electrical power and telephones, and the official broadcasting service. Uruguay's agriculture consist of farming, and stock raising. Stock raising is the main agricultural activity of Uruguay and the largest contributor to their economy. This accounts for the Uruguayan exports in the form of meat, wool, and hides.
With its moderate climate, and with few local variations in temperature, makes it possible to raise livestock throughout the year. A very small amount of land is given to crop usage, but the area under cultivation is gradually increasing. The main crops are sugarcane, sugar beets, wheat, rice, potatoes, sorghum, and corn. Uruguay has a democratic republican form of government with a popularly elected president and legislature. In 1973, however, the National Congress was destroyed by the military, and in 1976 the elected president was overthrown.
The country was subsequently ruled by a military-supported regime. General elections held in November 1984 maid way for a return to civilian rule. Thus Uruguay, despite it's small size is a large contributor to the South American culture, with it's strong economy, high education ratio, ever growing cities, and it's colorful history. It is almost certain that this country will not disappear any time soon.
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