Uruguay

1830 (August 25, Wednesday): Uruguay gains independence from Brazil

1843 (July 18, Tuesday): Start of the Great War (Guerra Grande) between the Blancos and Colorados

1864–1865 (October 13, Thursday): The Paraguayan War begins, with Uruguay participating alongside Brazil and Argentina

1870 (March 1, Tuesday): Treaty of Peace between Uruguay and Paraguay after the war

1933 (March 9, Thursday): The dictatorship of Gabriel Terra begins, following a coup d’état

1973 (June 27, Wednesday): Military dictatorship takes power, ending democratic rule

1985 (February 28, Thursday): Transition to democracy following the end of the military dictatorship

2003 (July 13, Sunday): Uruguay legalizes civil unions for same-sex couples

2013 (August 5, Monday): Uruguay becomes the first country in the world to legalize the production and sale of cannabis

2020 (March 13, Friday): Uruguay responds to COVID-19 with quarantine measures

2022 (November 15, Tuesday): Wildfires in the eastern regions of Uruguay due to prolonged drought

2024 (December 12, Thursday): Major flooding caused by heavy rainfall affecting parts of the country

Continent: South America
Location: Southeastern South America, bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Argentina to the west, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the south
Capital: Montevideo
Language: Spanish
Currency: Uruguayan Peso (UYU)
Population: ~3.5 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Uruguay Standard Time (UYT)

Borders: Brazil, Argentina
Landscape: Rolling plains, low mountains, and coastal areas
Major Rivers: Uruguay River, Río de la Plata, Negro River
Major Mountains: Sierra de los Caracoles, Sierra de las Ánimas
Deserts: None significant
Lakes: Laguna Merín, Lake of the Witches
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: Cerro Catedral (1,249 m / 4,098 ft)
Lowest Point: Río de la Plata (0 m / sea level)
Climate: Temperate, with four distinct seasons. Winters are mild, and summers are warm, with occasional heavy rainfall
Geological Features: Alluvial plains, coastal sand dunes, and granite hills

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly European descent (mostly Italian and Spanish), with smaller populations of African and indigenous descent
Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic (approximately 47%), secular and unaffiliated (approximately 43%), small Protestant and Jewish communities
Urban Population: ~95% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~18% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Tango (with Argentina), soccer, beach culture, rich history in art and literature, wine production
Cuisine: Asado (barbecue), empanadas, chivito, dulce de leche, yerba mate
Arts: Literature (Mario Benedetti, Juan Carlos Onetti), visual arts, music (candombe), dance (tango)
Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, rugby, tennis, and cycling
Popular Festivals: Carnival (February–March), Montevideo International Jazz Festival, Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha

Economy Type: Mixed economy, with a strong focus on agriculture, livestock, and tourism
GDP: Approx. $80 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture, livestock, food processing, textiles, electronics, tourism
Key Exports: Beef, soybeans, rice, dairy products, wool, and forestry products
Unemployment Rate: ~8.4% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Agriculture and livestock industries are prominent in rural areas, while tourism, services, and manufacturing are concentrated in Montevideo and other urban centers

Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State: President Luis Lacalle Pou (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: President Luis Lacalle Pou (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (Chamber of Deputies and Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 1830
Political Parties: National Party, Colorado Party, Broad Front
Important Note: Uruguay is known for its progressive policies, including legalizing same-sex marriage, abortion, and cannabis

Montevideo: Ciudad Vieja (old town), Rambla of Montevideo, Mercado del Puerto
Punta del Este: Beaches, art galleries, and casinos
Colonia del Sacramento: UNESCO World Heritage Site, colonial architecture, and cobblestone streets
Cabo Polonio National Park: Wildlife, sand dunes, and isolated beach areas
La Paloma: Beaches and relaxing coastal atmosphere
Durazno: National Parks and local festivities