Uruguay Country & Tourist Information

Location
South America.

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

Population
3.5 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
19.9 per sq km.

Capital
Montevideo.
Population: 1.33 million (2004).

Government
Republic since 1967. Formerly declared independence from Spain in 1825 and officially recognized in 1928.
Recent history: Tabare Vazquez from the Frente Amplio coalition was elected as President in 2005, becoming the first leftist leader to become the Uruguayan Head of State. On being elected, Vazquez vowed to alleviate poverty and to build better relations with Uruguay’s neighbors, Brazil and Argentina. He has restored diplomatic ties with Cuba, which had been broken under the Batlle Presidency. It is thought that Uruguay’s 2002 economic crisis and a disenchantment with free-market policies may have influenced this dramatic political shift. The Frente Amplio had further success in the mayoral elections of May 2005, winning seats in the interior for the first time ever. Eight leftist Mayors took office in July 2005.

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.

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 television channels. State-run radio and television broadcasts are operated by SODRE.


Post
Post office hours: 0800-1800 (main post office in the old city, Montevideo: 0900-1900). Airmail to Europe takes three to five days.

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 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
19-20 Feb Carnival.
5 Apr Maundy Thursday.
6 Apr Good Friday.
20 Apr (moved from 19 Apr) Landing of the 33 Patriots.
1 May Labor Day. 
21 May (forwarded 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.
15 Oct (forwarded from 12 Oct) Día de la Raza.
2 Nov All Souls’ Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
6 Jan Epiphany. 
4-5 Feb Carnival. 
20 Mar Maundy Thursday. 
21 Mar Good Friday. 
21 Apr* (forwarded from 19 Apr) Landing of the 33 Patriots.
1 May Labor Day. 
19 May (forwarded 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. 
13 Oct* (forwarded from 12 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).

* Date to be confirmed.

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
2nd Floor, 140 Brompton Road, London SW3 1HY, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 8835 or 7589 8735 (visa section).
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 331 4219 (consular section).
Website: www.uruwashi.org


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