Uruguay
America · South America
Overview
Uruguay is a relatively small country in southern South America, wedged between Argentina and Brazil, often regarded as one of the region's most stable and liberal democracies. Much of the landscape consists of rolling hills and fertile farmland, where a centuries-old tradition of cattle ranching still shapes the country's economy and cuisine. A relaxed, unhurried lifestyle, a well-developed social system, and a high standard of living make Uruguay one of the most balanced countries in South America, reflected in the local attitude often described as "tranquilo."
Montevideo, the capital, offers a pleasant urban experience with art deco and neoclassical buildings and a long coastal promenade known as the Rambla, while the Ciudad Vieja, or old town, preserves memories of the colonial past. Colonia del Sacramento, a small Portuguese colonial town with cobblestone streets and a blend of Portuguese and Spanish architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the country's most beautiful historic destinations. Punta del Este, a favorite getaway for South America's jet set, is the country's best-known beach resort town, known for its sandy beaches and the famous "La Mano" hand sculpture.
Gaucho traditions, still very much alive across the Pampas region, can be experienced up close on visits to working estancias, offering a glimpse into traditional ranching and horseback riding. Uruguayan cuisine is closely tied to beef, with asado, or barbecue, treated almost as a national ritual, often paired with red wine made from the local tannat grape. Drinking mate tea is a deep-rooted social tradition in Uruguay, and locals can be seen carrying the distinctive gourd and thermos with them almost everywhere, even on the street.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento
Founded by the Portuguese in 1680 on the Río de la Plata, the city was of strategic importance in resisting the Spanish. After being disputed for a century, it was finally lost by its founders. The well-preserved urban landscape illustrates the successful fusion of the Portuguese, Spanish and post-colonial styles.
Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape
Located on land projecting into the Uruguay River west of the town of Fray Bentos, the industrial complex was built following the development of a factory founded in 1859 to process meat produced on the vast prairies nearby. The site illustrates the whole process of meat sourcing, processing, packing and dispatching. It includes buildings and equipment of the Liebig Extract of Meat Company, which exported meat extract and corned-beef to the European market from 1865 and the Anglo Meat Packing Plant, which exported frozen meat from 1924. Through its physical location, industrial and residential buildings as well as social institutions, the site presents an illustration of the entire process of meat production on a global scale.
The work of engineer Eladio Dieste: Church of Atlántida
The Church of Atlántida with its belfry and underground baptistery is located in Estación Atlántida, 45 km away from Montevideo. Inspired by Italian paleo-Christian and medieval religious architecture, the modernistic Church complex, inaugurated in 1960, represents a novel utilization of exposed and reinforced brick. Built on rectangular plan of one single hall, the church features distinctive undulating walls supporting a similarly undulating roof, composed of a sequence of reinforced brick Gaussian vaults developed by Eladio Dieste (1917-2000). The cylindrical bell-tower, built in openwork exposed brick masonry, rises from the ground to the right of the main church facade, while the underground baptistery is located on the left side of the parvis, accessible from a triangular prismatic entrance and illuminated via a central oculus. The Church provides an eminent example of the remarkable formal and spatial achievements of modern architecture in Latin America during the second part of the 20th century, embodying the search for social equality with a spare use of resources, meeting structural imperatives to great aesthetic effect.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Uruguay?
The capital of Uruguay is Montevideo.
What is the area of Uruguay?
The area of Uruguay is 181,034 km².
What is the population of Uruguay?
The population of Uruguay is 3,386,588.
What is the currency of Uruguay?
The currency of Uruguay is Uruguayan peso (UYU).
What is the official language of Uruguay?
The official language of Uruguay: Spanish.
What side of the road does Uruguay drive on?
Uruguay: Right-hand traffic.
Is Uruguay a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Uruguay is a member of the United Nations.