Uruguay Country & Tourist Information

Location
South America.

Area
176,215 sq km (68,037 sq miles).

Population
3.5 million (UN estimate 2008).

Population Density
19.9 per sq km.

Capital
Montevideo.
Population: 1.35 million (2007).

Government
Republic since 1830.

Language
Spanish. Some English is spoken in tourist resorts.

Religion
Roman Catholic is the predominant religion.

Time
GMT - 3 (GMT - 2 from the second Sunday in October to the second Sunday in March).

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Continental flat three-pin or round two-pin plugs.

Head of State
President Tabare Vazquez since 2005.

Recent History
Tabare Vazquez, from the leftist Frente Amplio coalition, was elected as president in 2005, becoming Uruguay’s first third-party Head of State. The Frente Amplio had further success in the mayoral elections of May 2005. Noteworthy developments under leftist rule have included the paying off of Uruguay’s debt to the IMF, restoration of diplomatic ties with Cuba, the banning of smoking in public places, and the sanctioning of same-sex civil unions. The Uruguayan government controversially granted leases to foreign multinationals to build paper factories on the Rio. Uruguay has strained relations with neighboring Argentina, resulting in protests and bridge closures.

Telephone
Country code: 598. The local telephone service, which is operated by the government, is good.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone operators. Visitors should check with their service provider before traveling. Coverage is good in urban areas and patchy elsewhere.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in main urban areas.

Media
The Uruguayan constitution guarantees a free press and freedom of speech. There are over 100 private newspapers, more than 100 radio stations and around 20 TV channels. State-run radio and television broadcasts are operated by SODRE.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes three to five days.

Post office hours: 0800-1800 (main post office in the old city, Montevideo: 0900-1900).

Press
• All newspapers are in Spanish.
• The most popular dailies include El Observador, El País, La República and Ultimas Noticias.

Radio
• Stations include AM Libre, state-owned Radiodifusion Nacional SODRE and Radio El Espectador.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany. 
23-24 Feb Carnival. 
9 Apr Maundy Thursday. 
10 Apr Good Friday. 
20 Apr (moved from 19 Apr) Landing of the 33 Patriots.
1 May Labor Day. 
18 May Battle of Las Piedras.
19 Jun Birth of General Artigas (Día del Nunca Más).
18 Jul Constitution Day.
25 Aug National Independence Day. 
12 Oct Día de la Raza.
2 Nov All Souls' Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany. 
15-16 Feb Carnival. 
1 Apr Maundy Thursday. 
2 Apr Good Friday. 
19 Apr Landing of the 33 Patriots.
1 May Labor Day. 
17 May (moved from 18 May) Battle of Las Piedras.
19 Jun Birth of General Artigas (Día del Nunca Más).
18 Jul Constitution Day.
25 Aug National Independence Day. 
11 Oct Día de la Raza.
2 Nov All Souls' Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
Many businesses close during Carnival Week and during Tourist Week (Easter).

Contact Information:

Ministerio de Turismo del Uruguay (Ministry of Tourism)
Rambla 25 de Agosto de 1825 esq, Yacaré, S/N (plano), Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel: (2) 188 5100.
Website: www.turismo.gub.uy

Embassy of Uruguay in the UK
1st Floor, 125 High Street Kensington, London W8 5SF, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 4170.
E-Mail: emburuguay@emburuguay.org.uk; Visa section: consulate@emburuguay.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; Visa section: Mon-Fri 1000-1600 (appointment only).

Embassy of Uruguay in the USA
1913 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, USA
Tel: (202) 331 1313 or 4219 (consular section).
Website: www.uruwashi.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; Visa section: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and 1400-1600.




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