Uruguay

Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast, while bordering the Río de la Plata to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. It is part of the Southern Cone region of South America. Uruguay covers an area of approximately 176,215 square kilometres (68,037 sq mi). It has a population of around 3.4 million, of whom nearly 2 million live in the metropolitan area of its capital and largest city, Montevideo.
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Some of the key events about Uruguay

  • 1811
    The independence movement against Spanish rule began
  • 1811
    Brutal massacre of indigenous people at Salsipuedes Creek
  • 1828
    Uruguay gained full independence and became a sovereign nation
  • 1865
    Devastating cholera epidemic killed thousands in Montevideo
  • 1872
    The first telephone line was installed in Montevideo
  • 1877
    Education reform established free, compulsory, and secular public education
  • 1904
    Civil war resulted in significant loss of life and economic damage
  • 1930
    Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup
  • 1933
    President dissolved parliament and established dictatorship
  • 1967
    A new constitution was adopted, establishing a presidential system
  • 1967
    Constitutional reform centralized power and suspended civil liberties
  • 1973
    Military coup established repressive dictatorship lasting over a decade
  • 1981
    Severe economic crisis led to massive devaluation of the peso
  • 1985
    Democracy was restored after years of military dictatorship
  • 2001
    Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak devastated cattle industry
  • 2002
    Uruguay became the first country in the world to provide a laptop to every primary school student
  • 2002
    Banking crisis caused economic collapse and record unemployment
  • 2013
    Same-sex marriage was legalized, making Uruguay the second Latin American country to do so
  • 2019
    Severe drought caused significant agricultural losses
  • 2020
    Uruguay was recognized as a global leader in renewable energy, with 98% of its electricity from renewable sources

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

Uruguay Latest news

Uruguay's unique path to fight crime makes other countries think twice

Uruguay's unique path to fight crime makes other countries think twice

While Latin-American nations copy tough-on-crime methods Uruguay shows a different way to handle security issues. Traditional political forces keep control while making smart-but-mild changes to fight crime

Society, Politics • November 18 2024 , 07:10 PM  •  839 views
Former military chief's security-focused campaign fails in Uruguay election

Former military chief's security-focused campaign fails in Uruguay election

Uruguay voters reject tough-on-crime approach in latest presidential election showing preference for democratic solutions. Traditional parties win with balanced security proposals while keeping civil rights intact

Society, Politics • November 18 2024 , 05:31 PM  •  765 views
French farmers block roads near Paris over South American trade plans

French farmers block roads near Paris over South American trade plans

French agricultural workers show strong disagreement with EU-Mercosur trading proposals. Local food producers point out unfair competition from South American imports and pesticide-related issues

Economics, Politics • November 12 2024 , 05:59 PM  •  1426 views
South American nations take unexpected steps in climate and politics this fall

South American nations take unexpected steps in climate and politics this fall

Major environmental summit in Colombia brings new-style funding plans from South American countries. Meanwhile regional politics heat up with surprising moves from Brazil and Venezuela

Politics, Culture • November 1 2024 , 12:17 PM  •  2634 views
South American nations take lead in global green finance despite UN summit setbacks

South American nations take lead in global green finance despite UN summit setbacks

Colombian city Cali hosts major UN nature meeting where new regional alliances form but funding falls short. Meanwhile South American countries push forward with their own green-finance plans

Economics, Politics, Science • November 1 2024 , 12:13 PM  •  2265 views