$Unique_ID{COW03825} $Pretitle{297} $Title{Uruguay Front Matter} $Subtitle{} $Author{The Director Foreign Area Studies} $Affiliation{HQ, Department of the Army} $Subject{country uruguay million government high miles montevideo percent system important} $Date{1971} $Log{Figure 1.*0382501.scf } Country: Uruguay Book: Area Handbook for Uruguay Author: The Director Foreign Area Studies Affiliation: HQ, Department of the Army Date: 1971 Front Matter Foreword This volume is one of a series of handbooks prepared by Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of The American University, designed to be useful to military and other personnel who need a convenient compilation of basic facts about the social, economic, political, and military institutions and practices of various countries. The emphasis is on objective description of the nation's present society and the kinds of possible or probable changes that might be expected in the future. The handbook seeks to present as full and as balanced an integrated exposition as limitations on space and research time permit. It was compiled from information available in openly published material. An extensive bibliography is provided to permit recourse to other published sources for more detailed information. There has been no attempt to express any specific point of view or to make policy recommendations. The contents of the handbook represent the work of the authors and FAS and do not represent the official view of the United States government. An effort has been made to make the handbook as comprehensive as possible. It can be expected, however, that the material, interpretations, and conclusions are subject to modifications in the light of new information and developments. Such corrections, additions, and suggestions for factual, interpretive, or other change as readers may have will be welcomed for use in future revisions. Comments may be addressed to: The Director Foreign Area Studies The American University 5010 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016 Preface In 1970 the Oriental (Eastern) Republic of Uruguay, noted for its dedication to democratic and orderly political processes, its high standard of living, and its comprehensive social welfare system, faced challenging problems involving economic conditions and maintenance of internal security. The government, with the adoption of extraordinary powers, was endeavoring to eliminate threats to the economy and to suppress political enemies who resorted to criminal acts to advance their cause. This book represents an effort to provide a compact and objective exposition and analysis of the dominant social, political, and economic characteristics of Uruguayan society. It is designed to give readers both within and outside the government an understanding of the dynamics of the component elements of Uruguayan society and an insight into the needs, goals, and achievements of the people. A number of consultants, many of them with firsthand knowledge of the country, have provided data not available in printed sources. The authors alone are responsible for the final draft. English usage follows Webster's Third New International Dictionary (unabridged). Spanish words and phrases, which have been used only when adequate English equivalents were lacking, are defined at first appearance. If they are employed frequently they are listed in the Glossary. Spanish is based on Appleton's Revised Cuyas Dictionary. Country Summary 1. COUNTRY: Oriental (Eastern) Republic of Uruguay (Republica Oriental del Uruguay). 2. GOVERNMENT: Democratic, republican government divided into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Constitution of 1967 vests executive power in president; legislative power in the General Assembly, divided into the Senate and Chamber of Representatives; and judicial power in Supreme Court of Justice. Constitution also provides for establishment of industrial and cultural organizations under state ownership. Suffrage granted to citizens eighteen years of age or over. 3. POPULATION: About 3 million. In 1970 almost half of total lived in Montevideo. Over 90 percent of population of European descent, principally Spanish and Italian origin. Small number of mestizos (see Glossary) and Negroes. During nineteenth and twentieth centuries, population augmented by waves of immigration, primarily from Europe. 4. SIZE: Slightly over 72,000 square miles. Greatest north-south extent, about 350 miles; east-west, about 240 miles. Smallest country in South America. 5. TOPOGRAPHY: Bordered on east by Atlantic Ocean; on south by Rio de la Plata estuary; on west by Rio Uruguay, which serves as border with Argentina; and on north with streams and relief features separating it from Brazil. Geographical regions consist of fertile agricultural coastal lowlands and pastoral plateau interior, a gently rolling grassland with numerous low hill systems. No deserts or high mountains. Many rivers and streams, and swamps and lagoons near eastern coast. Excellent drainage system throughout country. 6. LANGUAGES: Spanish, the official language, spoken almost universally. Dialect in common use influenced by Italian vocabulary and pronounciation. Knowledge of English increasing among educated groups. 7. RELIGION: Roman Catholicism, the professed religion of most of the people. Church and state officially separate, and religious freedom guaranteed. About 4 percent of population, Protestant or Jewish. 8. EDUCATION: In 1968 about 600,000 students enrolled in schools at all levels, a large majority in free public system. In late 1960s average amount of schooling for those over age fifteen was five years, and literacy rate for those over fifteen estimated as high as 97 percent. Overall rate in excess of 90 percent. 9. HEALTH: Generally excellent. Low death rate, and high and increasing rate of longevity. Medical payments provided under wide variety of public, mutual, and commercial programs. Most of hospital facilities, government operated. Number and quality of medical personnel and facilities generally satisfactory but concentrated in Montevideo and some departmental capitals. Principal causes of death: circulatory diseases and cancer. Few endemic diseases or epidemics, and good public preventive medicine program. Extensive environmental sanitation program and good diet and nutrition contribute to general health of population. 10. CLIMATE: Temperate, with moderate seasonal changes and little regional variation. Generally adequate rainfall well-distributed regionally and seasonally. Cool, damp, and windy springs; warm summers; mild autumns; chilly winters, but frost and freezing temperatures virtually unknown. Seasonal high winds and occasional extreme droughts and floods lend variety and unpredictability to climate. 11. JUSTICE: At apex of judicial system is Supreme Court of Justice created in 1907, followed by four appellate courts and a number of lawyer courts and Justices of the peace. Death penalty abolished in 1909. Contentious-Administrative Tribunal, a special legal body to ensure that governmental acts do not violate Constitution. Tribunal of Accounts appointed by General Assembly to supervise execution of federal budget. 12. ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS: In 1970 there were nineteen political divisions known as departments, each with at least two members in the Chamber of Representatives. Country divided into four military regions. 13. ECONOMY: Mixed economy in which both public and private enterprise participate. Most sectors of economy effectively controlled by state, either directly or through public agencies. State also engaged in industrial and commercial activities, in some cases as monopoly and in others in partnership with private companies. 14. INDUSTRY: Light industry predominant; processing of agricultural and animal products accounts for about half of manufacturing output. Industrial plants small, and operating costs relatively high. Biggest industry, raising of livestock; more than 80 percent of land area used for this purpose. Most important manufactures: foodstuffs and beverages, textiles, construction and building materials, chemicals, metallurgical and mechanical products, and petroleum and coal derivatives. Domestic industry provides 80 percent of consumer goods. 15. LABOR: Labor force estimated at slightly over 1 million in late 1960s; about one-fourth female. Substantial increase in union membership since mid-1960s, but no reliable statistics available. In mid-1960s estimates varied from 150,000 to 350,000. In 1970 many conditions of employment were fixed by legislation, and wage-price controls had been in effect since 1968, leaving labor a limited role as collective bargaining agent. 16. EXPORTS: Equivalent of US $199 million in 1970. Traditional products-wool, meat, and leather-accounted for 80 to 90 percent of total value of exports. Share of livestock products growing, wool exports becoming relatively less important. Rise in exportable surplus of meat expected from continuation of pasture improvement program and reduced domestic consumption because of higher prices. 17. IMPORTS: Equivalent of US $171 million in 1970. Raw materials, capital goods, and fuels and lubricants, principal import categories. Nonessential imports discouraged; imports deterred by high customs duties, prior deposits, and surcharges, plus policy of protecting local industries as aid to industrialization and economic diversification. 18. FINANCE: Inflation remained a problem in 1970, although restrained by firm governmental measures in late 1960s. Recurring annual budgetary deficits of public sector had led to accelerating increases in prices. Dual problem of inflexible tax structure and rigid requirements for current expenditures. 19. COMMUNICATIONS: Telephone-telegraph system owned and operated by government. Telephone system heavily overburdened, and new installations difficult to obtain. In 1970 about 195,000 telephones in operation, or approximately 65 telephones for each 1,000 inhabitants. International radio-telephone and radio-telegraph connect country with all parts of the world. 20. RAILROADS: State-owned railroads consist of four principal systems. 1,870 miles of standard guage (4 feet, 8 1/2 inches), 260 locomotives, 200 passenger cars, and 3,500 freight cars. Montevideo, hub of railway system with four main lines to Brazilian and Argentine borders. 21. ROADS: Highways radiate fanlike from Montevideo and connect all important areas; highway traffic principal carrier of passengers and freight. Intercity bus service frequent to most parts of country, most popular means of transport. Most of country's roads unpaved; major highways being improved in 1970. 22. RIVER TRANSPORTATION: In 1970 about 700 miles of inland waterways reportedly navigable; Rio Uruguay by far most important. Oceangoing vessels could travel 140 miles up this river to Paysandu, and lighter draft ships could proceed 60 miles farther to Salto. 23. PORTS AND PORT FACILITIES: Ports on estuary of Rio de la Plata and Atlantic coast include country's most important port-Montevideo-and Colonia, Punta del Este, and La Paloma. Several commercial ports on Rio Uruguay. National Port Administration in 1970 engaged in programs to reconstruct present harbor and port facilities, and long-range plan to transform Montevideo into leading port of Rio de la Plata basin. 24. AIRFIELDS: Principal airfield at Montevideo. Other urban centers have small landing strips. 25. PRINCIPAL AIRLINES: State-owned airline serves interior of country and provides service to Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina. Private airline operates between Uruguay and Argentina. Foreign airlines furnish service to United States and Europe; several airlines connect Montevideo daily with most important cities in South America. 26. MERCHANT MARINE: Coastal navigation fleet has total cargo capacity of 29,000 tons; ocean transport fleet has total cargo capacity of 131,000 tons. 27. INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND TREATIES: Party to Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, Latin American Free Trade Association, Latin American Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, and River Plate Basin Treaty. 28. AID PROGRAMS: Trough mid-1969 World Bank and allied agencies lent country equivalent of US102 million. Inter-American Development Bank loans equivalent to slightly over US $61 million. Technical assistance from United Nations Development Program equivalent to almost US $8 million. Total economic assistance from United States through mid-1970 almost US $124 million, including loans, grants, and sales and donations of agricultural commodities. Receives assistance from the United States Military Assistance Program. 29. INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS: Member of United Nations and many of its affiliates and specialized agencies, International Court of Justice, Organization of American States, Pact of Bogota, Inter-American Development Bank, and Charter of Punta del Este (Alliance for Progress). 30. ARMED FORCES STRENGTH: Compulsory military service not required. Total armed forces about 17,000. Army about 12,000, with infantry, artillery, cavalry, and engineer units. Navy about 1,800, with two destroyers, one subchaser, four patrol, and other vessels. Air force around 1,600, with about sixty aircraft-jet fighters and transport and training aircraft. No paramilitary forces, but about 120,000 trained reserves. [See Figure 1.: Uruguay]