Uruguay.

Uruguay is a small South American country wedged between Argentina and Brazil on the Atlantic coast, with rolling pampas grasslands, mate culture and one of Latin America's most progressive social policies.

Geography & landscape

Uruguay sits in South America, in the southern hemisphere of South America. With an area of approximately 181,034 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Montevideo, lies near coordinates -33°, -56°.

The country shares the cultural and geographic context of South America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider South America region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Uruguay.

People & society

The population of Uruguay is around 3.5M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.

The official language is Spanish, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.

Government & politics

Uruguay is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Montevideo, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.

Economy & currency

The official currency of Uruguay is the Uruguayan Peso (UYU). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Montevideo and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.

Culture & everyday life

The cultural footprint of Uruguay shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Uruguay through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.

Travel essentials

The capital, Montevideo, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +598, and clocks are set to the UYT (UTC-3) time zone. ISO standards identify Uruguay as UY (alpha-2) and URY (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇺🇾, appears at every border post and on every passport.

By the numbers

Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.

Did you know?

Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalise the cannabis trade end-to-end (production, sale and consumption), in 2013.