Uruguay |
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Uruguay is located in the southeastern part of South America. Uruguay shares the borders of Brazil to the east and northeast, and Argentina to the west and northwest. The South Atlantic Ocean bounds the nation to the southeast. The city of Montevideo is the capital of the nation. According to Transparency International, the country is the 2nd least corrupt country in Latin America. It was also the first Latin American country and the second American country to legalize same-sex civil union. HISTORY:- The Charrúas people inhabited in the region before the arrival of the Europeans. Spanish navigator Juan Díaz de Solis visited the land in 1516. In 1680, Uruguay was first settled by the Portuguese. In 1778, the land was conquered by the Spanish from the Portuguese. In 1811, the nation passed to Brazil. In 1817, the Portuguese annexed the land, which was passed to Brazil again in 1822. In 1825, Uruguay became independent with the assistance of Argentina. In 1828, republic was established in the country. In 1973, civilian era was ended in a military coup. In 1985, civilian government was re-assumed power. GEOGRAPHY:- Uruguay is located at 33 00 S, 56 00 W in Southern South America. The nation possesses total 176,220 sq km area in which 173,620 sq km is covered with land portion and 2,600 sq km is covered with internal water sources. The coastline is 660 km long along with the South Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Atlantic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Cerro Catedral (514 m). Uruguay is mostly composed of rolling plains and low hills with fertile coastal lowlands. CLIMATE:- The climate of the country is mostly temperate although freezing temperatures are almost unknown. GOVERNMENT:- Uruguay has a constitutional republic. The constitution was adopted on 27th November 1966, which came to effect on 15th February 1967. The constitution was suspended on 27th June 1973. The new constitution was rejected by a referendum in 1980 and the two constitutional reforms were approved by plebiscite in 1989 and in 1997. The legal system is based on the Spanish civil law system. The three major branches of the government are: Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), the Vice President, and the Council of Ministers. Both the president and the vice president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote on 5-year terms. The council of ministers is appointed by the president with the approval of the parliamentary. Legislative branch comprises the bicameral General Assembly, comprising the Chamber of Senators (30 seats), and the Chamber of Representatives (99 seats). Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court of Justice. The judges are nominated by the president and are elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly. Colorado Party, Broad Front, Blanco (National) Party, Encuentro Progresista-Frente Amplio, and Nuevo Espacio are the most prominent political parties of Uruguay. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18. President Tabaré Vázquez Rosas ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Uruguay is composed of 19 departments: Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, and Treinta y Tres. CULTURE:- Uruguay is the home of various popular writers, artists, and musicians. Tango, candombe, and murga are the most popular dance forms of the country. Football is the most famous sport in Uruguay. ECONOMY:- An export-oriented agricultural sector and a State services sector are the pillars of the middle-income economy of the country. It has an educated work force, and high levels of social spending. Agricultural sector accounts for almost 11% of the total GDP of the nation while it is the main foreign currency earner. GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $37.19 billion; per capita $1,600. Real growth rate: 7%. Inflation: 8.1%. Unemployment: 9.2%. Arable land: 8%. Agriculture: Rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish. Labor force: 1.587 million; agriculture 9%, industry 15%, services 76%. Industries: Food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages. Natural resources: Arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries. Budget:
Debt - external: $11.42 billion (31 December 2007) Exports: $3.55 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products. Exports - partners: Brazil 15.6%, US 9.7%, Argentina 7.1%, Mexico 6.6%, China 5.8%, Russia 5.4%, Germany 5% (2006) Imports: $3.54 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum. Imports - partners: Argentina 21%, Brazil 17.7%, US 9.1%, China 8.4%, Paraguay 7.4%, Venezuela 4.8%, Nigeria 4.4% (2006) Major trading partners: U.S., Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay, China (2004). Monetary unit: Uruguay peso LANGUAGE:- Spanish, Portunol, and Brazilero are spoken in Uruguay. CITIES:- The city of Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay and the largest city of the country as well. POPULATION:- The estimated population of Uruguay is 3,447,496 with an average growth rate of 0.4%. RACE:- RELIGION:- HEALTH:- UNICEF:- UNICEF gives priorities to the issues like children, adolescents and women rights in Uruguay. UNICEF initiated Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. UNICEF partners with various NGOs to eliminate all discriminations against women and children. The Central Board of Public Education with the assistance of the UNICEF promotes child rights in school curricula. TRANSPORTATION:- Posted by subhasis on Sunday Aug 24 reply Comments |
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