Uruguay: Geography
The World Factbook 1993: Uruguay Geography

Location: Eastern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Argentina and Brazil

Area: total area: 176,220 km2 land area: 173,620 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Washington State

Land boundaries: total 1,564 km, Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km

Coastline: 660 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation territorial sea: 200 nm; overflight and navigation permitted beyond 12 nm

International disputes: short section of boundary with Argentina is in dispute; two short sections of the boundary with Brazil are in dispute - Arroyo de la Invernada (Arroio Invernada) area of the Rio Quarai and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the Uruguay

Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

Natural resources: soil, hydropower potential, minor minerals

Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 78% forest and woodland: 4% other: 10%

Irrigated land: 1,100 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment: subject to seasonally high winds, droughts, floods