South AmericaUruguay
Discover Uruguay - a small, progressive nation known for mate culture, beautiful beaches, the first World Cup, and one of the highest quality of life in South America.
Where Is Uruguay?
Uruguay is a country in South America. Its capital is Montevideo.
- Capital Montevideo
- Population 3.38M
- Area 181,034 km²
Uruguay is South America's quiet overachiever. Sandwiched between the giants of Brazil and Argentina, this small nation of 3.5 million people has built one of the most progressive, stable, and prosperous societies in Latin America. It was the first country in the world to fully legalize cannabis, one of the first in the Americas to legalize same-sex marriage, and generates nearly 100% of its electricity from renewable sources. Uruguayans enjoy free education, universal healthcare, and a social safety net that would make many European countries envious.
But Uruguay is not just policy achievements — it has soul. The country is obsessed with mate, the bitter herbal tea sipped from a gourd that Uruguayans carry everywhere, literally walking down the street with thermos under one arm and mate in hand. Montevideo, the capital, holds half the country's population and has a crumbling, beautiful charm — art deco buildings, a 22-kilometer coastal promenade, and legendary Sunday markets. Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930, and then shocked the world again by winning the 1950 final in Brazil's Maracanã — the Maracanazo, considered the greatest upset in football history. Punta del Este is South America's most glamorous beach resort, and the country's gaucho culture in the interior keeps the traditions of horseback herding alive.
At a glance
Largest cities in Uruguay
Montevideo
Punta del Este
Colonia del Sacramento
Salto
Famous people from Uruguay
Luis Suárez
SportOne of the greatest strikers in football history, Barcelona and Liverpool legend, Uruguay's all-time top scorer
José Mujica
PoliticsThe world's humblest president (2010-2015) who donated 90% of his salary and lived on a small farm
Eduardo Galeano
LiteratureAuthor of Open Veins of Latin America, one of the most influential political writers in Latin American history
Mario Benedetti
LiteratureUruguay's most beloved poet and novelist, whose works are read across the Spanish-speaking world
Diego Forlán
SportGolden Ball winner at the 2010 World Cup, two-time European Golden Shoe winner
Traditional cuisine of Uruguay
- Asado
- The sacred weekend barbecue ritual - beef ribs, chorizo, and morcilla slow-grilled on a parrilla, a way of life
- Chivito
- Uruguay's national sandwich - a towering creation of steak, ham, cheese, egg, lettuce, and mayonnaise
- Mate
- Bitter herbal tea sipped from a gourd through a bombilla, carried everywhere by every Uruguayan all day long
- Milanesa
- Breaded meat cutlet served in various styles - a la napolitana with ham and cheese, or in a sandwich
- Dulce de Leche
- Caramelized milk spread that Uruguay and Argentina both claim to have invented, used in everything
- Tannat Wine
- Uruguay's signature grape variety, producing robust red wines that are gaining international recognition
Nature and landmarks in Uruguay
- Cabo PolonioCoast
- Off-grid beach village accessible only by 4x4, with sea lions, no electricity, and a bohemian atmosphere
- Quebrada de los CuervosCanyon
- Uruguay's first protected landscape, a dramatic forested ravine in the rolling grasslands of Treinta y Tres
- Isla de LobosCoast
- Island off Punta del Este with the largest South American fur seal colony, home to 200,000 sea lions
- Santa Teresa National ParkNational Park
- Atlantic coast park with a restored Portuguese fortress, native forest, and beautiful beaches
- Esteros de FarraposNational Park
- Ramsar wetland on the Uruguay River, important habitat for migratory birds and river wildlife
Sports in Uruguay
- Football
- Two-time World Cup winners (1930, 1950), 15-time Copa América champions — most of any nation
- Basketball
- Strong basketball tradition, regularly competitive in FIBA Americas competitions
- Rugby
- Los Teros are a growing force in South American rugby, qualifying for the World Cup
Did you know?
Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930
The Maracanazo — Uruguay's 1950 World Cup final victory in Brazil's Maracanã — is considered the greatest upset in football history
José Mujica, president from 2010-2015, donated 90% of his salary and refused to live in the presidential palace
Uruguay generates nearly 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, mostly wind and hydropower
Uruguayans consume more mate per capita than any other country, carrying their thermos everywhere
Uruguay was the first country in the world to fully legalize cannabis in 2013
With 3.5 million people but about 12 million cattle, Uruguay has nearly 4 cows for every person
Can you find Uruguay on a map?
Drop a pin where you think it is and see how close you got. A few rounds and you will place Uruguay and its neighbours without a second thought.
