|RNational holiday:|N Independence Day, August 25.
|RNature and climate:|N Mainly rolling plains well watered by several rivers. These plains are grassy and ideal for stockraising. By the Atlantic coast broad low plains of sand and shallow lakes.
Average temperature in January between 10 and 13°C and in July between 22 and 26°C.
Percipitation about 1000 mm.
|RPeople:|N 88% Caucasians, mainly Iberians and Italians, 10% mestizoes, some mulattoes and black.
The aboriginal Charrua Indians were practically extinguished during the colonization.
80% of the population live in towns. Especially the area around capital Montevideo is densely populated.
|REconomy:|N Stockraising is traditionally the main industry. 90% of the land is used as pasture and 8% is cultivated.
Most important crops are wheat, rice, and sorghum.
Manufacturing mainly of the agricultural resources, e.g. meat-packing, wool hides, sugar and wine.
During the last decades other manufacturing has been developed but play, so far, a minor role.
|RHistory:|N Originally inhabited by Charrua Indians Uruguay was discovered by the Europeans in 1516. In 1680 the Portuguese founded Colonia de Sacramento and 1726 the Spanish founded Montevideo. In the 18th century Uruguay was attached to the Spanish Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata.
A movement for independence began in the early 19th century and led to independence in 1814, but this new country with only 74 000 inhabitants was conquered by Brazil 1817.
After an uprising 1825 to 1827 the independent republic Uruguay was proclaimed in 1828.
There was two leading political parties, Colorados and Blancos that started a civil war in the 1830:s. This war continued through the 1840:s and 1850:s until the Colorados won in 1865.
Waves of European immigrants in the late 19th century transformed the Uruguayan society.
In 1904 a new civil war was fought between the Colorados and the Blancos. After the victory, the Colorados introduced a number och social reforms.
Dictatorship followed a military coup in 1938 but democracy was reestablished in 1951.
Following attacks of a leftist guerilla, Tupamaros, the military once again seized powers in 1973. This regime was brutally repressive and it is estimated that the regime had the world's largest amount of political prisoners in proportion to the population.
In 1980 a slow process towards democracy was started and in 1984 a president and parliament was publicly elected.
