40 Interesting Uruguay Facts
Considered as the smallest country in South America, Uruguay has a rich culture, beautiful landscape and natural views. Let’s explore these 40 interesting Uruguay Facts about its culture, economy, history, people, education, trade, industries, sports, religion and much more.
1. The name Uruguay derives from the Uruguay River which means ‘river of the painted birds’.
2. Uruguay has a total area of 176,215 square km.
3. As of July 2018, the total population of Uruguay is 3,369,299.
4. Uruguay is a country located in South America.
5. Spanish is the official language of Uruguay.
6. Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay.
7. The national colors of Uruguay are blue, white and yellow.
8. Uruguay is bordered by two large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil.
9. Uruguay ranks first in the world on a per capita basis for its contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping forces.
10. Around 60 percent of the population of Uruguay is nominally Catholic.
11. Around 50% of the population live in the capital, Montevideo.
12. Cerro Catedral is the highest point in Uruguay with an altitude of 513.66 m.
13. The national anthem of Uruguay is the world’s longest national anthem in terms of duration with 105 bars of music.
14. In Latin America, Uruguay is one of the least religious countries.
15. Uruguay hosted and won the first FIFA World Cup in 1930.
16. Uruguay became the first country to legalize the production, sale, and use of marijuana.
17. In the world, Uruguay became the first country to provide every school student with a free laptop and wifi access.
18. Jose “Pepe” Mujica, President of Uruguay donates 90% of his income to charity.
19. Uruguay has been described as South America’s “first welfare state” .
20. Uruguay had the highest literacy rate in Latin America, at 96 percent in 1985.
21. The UYU (Uruguayan Peso) is the national currency of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
22. The current president of Uruguay is Tabare Vazquez.
23. Uruguayan got its independence from Brazil on 25 August 1825.
24. Capybara, one of the largest rodent on the planet is found in the savannah of Uruguay.
25. Sun of May is the national symbol of Uruguay.
26. Uruguay is the third-best country on the continent in terms of HDI, GDP growth, innovation and infrastructure.
27. Grammostola anthracina is one of the largest spiders in Uruguay and reputed to be the longest lived tarantula in the world.
28. Uruguay is one of the largest producers of soybeans according to the FAOSTAT report.
29. There are nine National Parks in Uruguay.
30. Football is the most popular sport in Uruguay.
31. Argentina and Brazil are the main trade partners of Uruguay.
32. Uruguay legalized same-sex marriage in 2013.
33. Erythrina Cristina Galli is the national flower of Uruguay.
34. Uruguay won its Olympic gold medals only in the 1924 and 1928.
35. The first-ever FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930.
36. Uruguay is the major global exporter of combed wool.
37. Grassland of Uruguay covers almost three-quarters of Uruguay.
38. The national flag of Uruguay has nine equal horizontal stripes.
39. Uruguay formed almost 95% of its electricity from renewable sources.
