‪Uruguay‬
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 5/2014

Uruguay officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay or the Eastern Republic of Uruguay, is a country in the southeastern region of South America. It is bordered by Argentina to its west and Brazil to its north and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to the south and southeast. 

Uruguay is home to 3.3 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the metropolitan area of its capital and largest city, Montevideo. With an area of approximately 176,000 square kilometres (68,000 sq mi), Uruguay is geographically the second-smallest nation in South America after Suriname.

Uruguay remained largely uninhabited until the establishment of Colonia del Sacramento, one of the oldest European settlements in the country, by the Portuguese in 1680. Montevideo was founded as a military stronghold by the Spanish in the early 18th century, signifying the competing claims over the region. Uruguay won its independence between 1811 and 1828, following a four-way struggle between Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Brazil. 

It remained subjected to foreign influence and intervention throughout the 19th century, with the military playing a recurring role in domestic politics until the late 20th century. Modern Uruguay is a democratic constitutional republic, with a president who serves as both head of state and head of government. It frequently ranks as one of the most developed and prosperous countries in Latin America.

Oriental Republic of Uruguay
República Oriental del Uruguay  (Spanish)

Motto: "Libertad o Muerte" (Spanish)
"Freedom or Death"

Anthem: Himno Nacional de Uruguay
National Anthem of Uruguay

Capital and largest city:
Montevideo (34°53′S 56°10′W

Official languages: Spanish

Ethnic groups: (2011)
• 90.7% White
•  4.8% Black
•  2.4% Indigenous
•  0.5% Asian
•  1.9% Other/None

Demonym: Uruguayan

Government:
Unitary presidential constitutional republic

Legislature: General Assembly
• Upper house: Chamber of Senators
• Lower house: Chamber of Deputies

Independence from the Empire of Brazil:
• Declaration: 25 August 1825 
• Recognition: 28 August 1828 
• Constitution: 18 July 1830 

Area:
• Total: 176,215 km2 (91st) 68,037 sq mi
• Water (%): 1.5

Population: 2013 estimate
3,324,460 (133rd) - 2011 census 3,286,314
Density: 18.87/km2 (198th) - 48.86/sq mi

GDP (PPP): 2014 estimate
• Total: $59.201 billion
• Per capita: $17,391

Currency: Uruguayan peso (UYU)
Time zone: UYT (UTC−3) - Summer (DST) UYST (UTC−2)

Drives on the right
Calling code: +598
ISO 3166 code: UY
Internet TLD: .uy