Uruguay
sovereign state in South America
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World Factbook
CIA reference data · 4 sections
Geography
Location
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil
Climate
warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Terrain
mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
Natural resources
arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish
People & Society
Religions
Roman Catholic 36.5%, Protestant 5% (Evangelical (non-specific) 4.6%, Adventist 0.2%, Protestant (non-specific) 0.3%), African American Cults/Umbanda 2.8%, Jehovah's Witness 0.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 0.2%, other 1%, Believer (not belonging to the church) 1.8%, agnostic 0.3%, atheist 1.3%, none 47.3%, unspecified 3.4%Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 15%, other 6%, agnostic 3%, atheist 10%, unspecified 24% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Independence
25 August 1825 (from Brazil)
National holiday
Independence Day, 25 August (1825)
Legal system
civil law system based on the Spanish civil code
Economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$108.502 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$32,000 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
3.1% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.8% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
8.5% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 21%, Brazil 17%, USA 8%, Argentina 5%, Netherlands 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
Brazil 22%, China 18%, Argentina 11%, USA 9%, Nigeria 4% (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook · public domain (US gov work, 17 USC §105) · fetched 2026-05-06
Summary
Uruguay is a sovereign state[1]. Uruguay draws 94,716 Wikipedia views per month (sovereign state category, ranking #99 of 197).[2]
Key Facts
- Award received: The Economist country of the year[3]
- Member of: United Nations[4], Mercosur[5], World Trade Organization[6], International Labour Organization[7], International Bank for Reconstruction and Development[8], International Finance Corporation[9], Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency[10]
- Country: Uruguay[11]
- Located in or next to body of water: Uruguay River[12], Río de la Plata[13], Atlantic Ocean[14]
- Head of government: Yamandú Orsi[15]
- Continent: South America[16]
- Instance of: secular state[17], country[18], constitutional republic[19]
- Head of state: Yamandú Orsi[20]
- Capital: Montevideo[21]
- Currency: Uruguayan peso[22]
- Shares border with: Brazil[23], Argentina[24]
- Top-level Internet domain: .uy[25]
- Anthem: National Anthem of Uruguay[26]
- Basic form of government: republic[27], participatory democracy[28], presidential system[29]
- Named after: Uruguay River[30]
- Contains the administrative territorial entity: Artigas Department[31], Canelones Department[32], Cerro Largo Department[33], Colonia Department[34], Durazno Department[35], Flores Department[36], Florida Department[37], Lavalleja Department[38], Maldonado Department[39], Montevideo Department[40], Paysandú Department[41], Río Negro Department[42], Rivera Department[43], Rocha Department[44]
- Follows: Oriental State of Uruguay[45]
- Flag: flag of Uruguay[46]
- Legislative body: General Assembly of Uruguay[47]
- Executive body: Presidencia de la República[48]
- Highest judicial authority: Supreme Court of Uruguay[49]
- Coat of arms: Coat of arms of Uruguay[50]
- Part of: Latin America[51], Southern Cone[52]
- Commons category: Uruguay[53]
- Licence plate code: UY[54]
Body
Cultural Significance
Things named for Uruguay include Uruguayans[55], a human population[56]; Uruguay Round[57], a negotiation[58]; and Uruguay Cove[59], a cove[60].
Why It Matters
Uruguay has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[61] Uruguay is known by 42 alternative names across languages and contexts.[62]
Entities named for Uruguay include Uruguayans[55], a human population[56]; Uruguay Round[57], a negotiation[58]; and Uruguay Cove[59], a cove[60].
FAQs
What awards did Uruguay receive?
Honors received include The Economist country of the year[3].