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Uruguay > Generalities

 

Generalities

Geographic position
With more than 176.000 km2, and 30° south of Ecuator, it is a green quiet place between the Atlantic ocean and the Plata basin.
Uruguay holds the 6th place in the World Index of Environmental Sustainability.

Government
Name of country: República Oriental del Uruguay
Country code: UY
Capital: Montevideo
Political division: 19 departments
Type of Government: Democratic republic with presidential system. The State is organized in three independent powers: Executive, Legislative and Judicial.
Vote: Obligatory and universal from 18 years old.
National holidays: January 1st, May 1st, July 18, August 25 and December 25.
Legal System:

The Uruguayan legal system is based on legal norms approved by the Parliament and promulgated by the President of the Republic. The ultimate source of law is the Constitution. The judicial proceedings they have normally two instances although the verdict of a court or a judge may provide guidance for other cases, such verdicts are not binding precedent.

Population
Inhabitants:

3.510.386 (2010)

Annual rate of demographic growth: 0.447%
Population density by Km2 : 18.8
Life expectancy: 76.55 years
Rate of infantile mortality: 9.06/1000
Literacy rate: 97%
Religion: There is no official religion (catholic 56%, non religious 38%, protestant 2%, Jewish 2%)
Nationality: Uruguayan
Language: Spanish
Business languages: English and Portuguese (Italian and French widespread)
Economy
Uruguay is located in the heart of a market where more than 225 million consumers live, with the highest income rate per capita of the continent. It is the core of a sub-region that concentrates 80% of the consumption and production of Mercosur.

The quick access to this increased market and to other regions and countries of the world is secured by an extensive and varied communications network, together with highly competitive financial services and business support.
The harbor of Montevideo is the natural entry to the region and the only terminal in the southern Atlantic coast that operates as a free port.
Uruguay counts with abundant water resources. The amount of drinkable water available for each Uruguayan is 5.4 times higher than the worldwide average.
The electrification rate of Uruguay is the highest of Latin America: 98% followed by Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela.
 
Gross National Product (2009): 44:52.00 Million Dollars
GNP per capita: 12.700   Dollars
Inflation: 7.1 % (2009)
Unemployment rate: 7.6 % (2009)
Standard of life indicators
Population/physicians ratio 260
Population with drinking water supply: 98%
Electrification rate: 98%
Cars per 100 inhabitants: 19
Communications
Digital telephone net: 100%
Fixed telephone and mobile per 100 inhabitants: 130
Internet density: 21%