Uruguay
Uruguay, also known as the Oriental Republic of Uruguay is located in southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil. It’s geographic coordinates are 33 00 S and 56 00 W. It’s capitol city is Montevideo. To give an example of the size of Uruguay, it is slightly smaller than the state of Washington. The climate is almost ideal, with warm temperatures all year. Uruguay’s terrain is common among many other territories in South America. It has mostly rolling plains and low hills, and fertile coastal lowland. Elevation of the land is not very extreme. It’s natural resources are very limited, having only arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, and fisheries. The natural hazards in Uruguay are not as bad as in other countries. They are only threatened with seasonally high winds, droughts, and floods, because of the lack of mountains. Current environmental issues consist of water pollution from the meat packing industry and inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal.
Uruguay is the second-smallest South American country besides Suriname. It’s population is a mere 3,477,778 people. The birthrate is only 14.17 births per thousand a year. The nationality of the people of Uruguay is referred to as Uruguayan. Ethnic groups are limited. Predominately white, Mestizo, black, and Amerindian are the only races and cultures there. Religion is a big part of the Uruguayan life. Roman Catholic, non-Catholic Christians, nondenominational, Jewish, and atheist or agnostic are some of the major religions that are practiced there. The only languages regularly practiced there are Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero, which is a Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier. The literacy rate in Uruguay is very limited. Most children over the age of fifteen cannot even read or write.
On August 25, 1825, Uruguay received it’s independence from Brazil. It’s flag has nine equal horizontal stripes of white...