General information from Uruguay

The Republica Oriental del Uruguay is situated in South America, bordering Brazil in the north and east and Argentina in the west and in the southeast the Atlantic Ocean.The name comes from the guarani language and means “river of the painted birds”. It is the second smallest nation of South America and is one of the most stable considering the political and economical facts.
The official language is Spanish.

Govern and Politic of Uruguay

In Uruguay there is a mixed or semi-representative democracy in which dominates the representative character of the govern and certain ways of direct govern (such as, referendums and plebiscites).Democracy has deep roots in the Uruguayan population. They learnt how to deal with problem by avoiding violence and choosing for the ballot box.

Economy of Uruguay

The national currancy is the "Uruguayan Peso". The Uruguayan economy is based on cattle production: meat, wool, leather and other sub-products are the major exports. Growing crops has less relevance, some of these are: line, rice and sugar beet. There are not many mineral resources but the industry has grown due to the importation of oil and organic matter. The main industry is foodstuff, followed by textile and chemical industry. Besides, the motorways are good and tourism is quickly improving. Tourism and financial services are important economical resources.As in other countries of the region, in the '90's many state reforms were made. Traditionally, Uruguay has high levels of education, social welfare and health care.

Weather in Uruguay

The temperature is higher up on the north due to the diminution of the latitude (from 35º to 30º). Because of the influence of the sea, the isotherms go up from SE to NW. In Montevideo the hottest month is January and the coldest is July, with an average difference of 12º C. The maximum temperatures are of nearly 15º C in winter and 32º C in summer. The month when there are less rainy days is December all along the country, more or less of 100 mm. Foggy days are frequent in winter, mainly on the south and in the center of the country. The media of humidity is of 70% and 75%. The foggiest month is July, the media in this month is of 80%, and the driest month is January, 65%.

Seasons in Uruguay

Summer from 21 December to 21 March.
Autumn from 21 March to 21 June.
Winter from 21 June to 21 September.
Spring from 21 September to 21 December

Demography of Uruguay

The Uruguayan population is mainly constituted by group of immigrants. The Indian groups have almost disappeared, that is why, nowadays, and the majority of the Uruguayans are Spanish and Italian descendants and just a few guaranies and Africans. There is a population of about 4 million people.

Religion of Uruguay

Religion: lay country. There is absolute cult liberty. Most people practice Catholicism, 66%, even though most of them do not practice it. 2% are Protestants and 1% Jew. Nearly 31% of the population does not practice any religion.

Culture of Uruguay

Education:
The main characteristics of the Uruguayan education are: laicism, compulsory and complete free as it was proclaimed by Jose Pedro Varela.
Music:
The rioplatense music is essentially Tango (and its little sister, la milonga) but Uruguay has also exclusive rhythms such as, Candombe y Murga which has its peak moment in the "llamadas" of Carnival.
Among the musicians and singers we must mention Carlos Gardel, Julio Sosa, Jaime Roos, Jorge Drexler, Eduardo Mateo, Ruben Rada and Alfredo Zitarrosa.
Painting:
In painting we must mention, Juan Manuel Blanes, Joaquin Torres Garcia, Carlos Saez, Rafael Barradas, Pedro Figari, Carmelo de Arzadum, Ernesto Laroche, Felipe Seade and Jose Cuneo.
Sculpture:
Here we must mention, Juan Manuel Ferrari, Manuel Pena, Jose Belloni, Jose Luis Zorrilla de San Martin, Carlos Moler de Berg, G. Fonseca y G. Cabrera.
Literature:
Poetry was born due to Bartolome Hidalgo who began the "gauchesca" poetry and author of the famous "cielitos". The romantics are represented by Adolfo Berro.

Atlántida

The Atlántida resort is located 45 kms from Montevideo, 20 kms from Carrasco international airport and 100 kms from Punta del Este.

Because of its houses with lovely gardens, its awesome beaches and its tourist infrastructure plenty of facilities, Atlántida is an excellent place to enjoy an unforgettable vacations. It is a town characterized by the tranquillity, security and the warmth of its people.

This holiday resort has leafy forest of pines and eucalyptus, a sea with waters of high salinity, a Casino and the Country Club (center of social splendid meetings) It is possible doing aquatic sports such as surf, ski, swimming, the sailing, etc, and also it is a great place to fishing. There is as well a zoo for children, sports courts and horses to ride in the beach.

It is one of the first resorts that was founded in the Uruguayan cost where still today old and picturesque houses are conserved with balconies to the sea. Its geographical situation allows, from the town, having a great view of all the cliffs and sea to the east and the west that combines with the romanticism architecture styles of its houses.

It is important to highlight the beaches that combine air without pollution, very fine and white sands with enormous dunes and nature in pure state.

Atlántida allow you to have a wonderful life surrounded by the nature that invites to rest combating the stress of the life in the big cities.

Montevideo

Montevideo, city, capital of Uruguay and its Montevideo Department, on the Rio de la Plata, in the southern part of the country. A spacious community with broad boulevards, it is the nation's largest city and its principal economic, administrative, and cultural center.

It is one of the major ports of South America and the governmental, financial, and commercial center of Uruguay. Much of the S Atlantic fishing fleet is based in Montevideo, and Uruguay's exports-frozen and canned meats and fish, wool, and grains-pass through the port. The city has industries producing textiles, dairy items, wines, and packaged meats; there are oil refineries and railway factories. Tourism is also important.

Today Montevideo is spacious, modern, and attractive, with broad, tree-lined boulevards, numerous beautiful parks, and fine buildings and residences. Notable among the parks is the Prado, which, with its lovely botanical gardens containing many thousands of plant species, is a popular promenade; among the impressive buildings are the cabildo [city hall], the legislative palace, the government palace, and the cathedral. Montevideo is the seat of Uruguay's two universities. There are fine beaches and luxurious hotels along the Plata estuary east to Punta del Este and Atlántida on the Atlantic Ocean (Text taken from Columbia Encyclopedia) .

Casa Pueblo - Punta Ballena	Tango in Montevideo