International Security Bulletin

Uruguay

Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Capital: Montevideo

History

Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century established widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.

Geography

Metric Units

Total Area	176,215 sq km
Land Boundaries	1,648 km
Border Countries	Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km
Coastline	660 km
Terrain	mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
Minimum Elevation	0 m
Maximum Elevation	514 m
Climate	warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Natural Resources	arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish
Arable Land	10.25%
Permanent Crops	0.22%

Economy

Gross Domestic Product	$53.55 billion
GDP (per capita)	$15,800
GDP Growth	3.5%
Unemployment Rate	6.1%
Population in Poverty	18.6%
GINI Index	45.3

Budget & Debt

Expenditures	$15.07 billion
Revenue	$14.28 billion
Current Account Balance	$-1.19 billion
External Debt	$15.9 billion

Trade

Exports	$9.81 billion
Export Items	beef, soybeans, cellulose, rice, wheat, wood, dairy products
Export Partners	Brazil 19.3%, China 14.2%, Argentina 6.8%, Germany 6%, Venezuela 4.3% (2011)
Imports	$10.97 billion
Import Items	refined oil, crude oil, passenger and other transportation vehicles, vehicle parts, cellular phones
Import Partners	Brazil 16.3%, China 15%, Argentina 13.4%, US 9.4%, Paraguay 7.1%, Venezuela 6.7% (2011)

People

Population	3,324,460
Population Growth	0.25%
Ethnic Groups	white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent)
Religion	Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006)
Life Expectancy	76.61 years
Infant Mortality	0.93 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality	0.4 deaths/100,000 live births

Energy

Electricity Production	9.5 billion kWh
Electricity Consumption	7.96 billion kWh
From Fossil Fuels	38.5%
From Nuclear	0%
From Hydroelectric	61.1%
From Renewable Sources	0.4%