| Glorioso Islands (2005) | Uruguay (2004) | |
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| Administrative divisions | - | 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres | 
| Age structure | - | 0-14 years: 23.5% (male 406,500; female 392,497) 
 15-64 years: 63.4% (male 1,066,464; female 1,087,100) 65 years and over: 13.1% (male 182,654; female 264,022) (2004 est.)  | 
				
| Agriculture - products | - | rice, wheat, corn, barley; livestock; fish | 
| Airports | 1 (2004 est.) | 64 (2003 est.) | 
| Airports - with paved runways | - | total: 14 
 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)  | 
				
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 1 
 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)  | 
				total: 50 
 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 31 (2004 est.)  | 
				
| Area | total: 5 sq km 
 land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock  | 
				total: 176,220 sq km 
 land: 173,620 sq km water: 2,600 sq km  | 
				
| Area - comparative | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | slightly smaller than the state of Washington | 
| Background | A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. | A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement, the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to agree to military control of his administration in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold throughout the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent. | 
| Birth rate | - | 14.44 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) | 
| Budget | - | revenues: $2.934 billion 
 expenditures: $3.425 billion, including capital expenditures of $193 million (2003)  | 
				
| Capital | - | Montevideo | 
| Climate | tropical | warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown | 
| Coastline | 35.2 km | 660 km | 
| Constitution | - | 27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997 | 
| Country name | conventional long form: none 
 conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses  | 
				conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay 
 conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province  | 
				
| Currency | - | Uruguayan peso (UYU) | 
| Death rate | - | 9.07 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) | 
| Debt - external | - | $10.73 billion (2003) | 
| Dependency status | possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands | - | 
| Diplomatic representation from the US | none (possession of France) | chief of mission: Ambassador Martin J. SILVERSTEIN 
 embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777 FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611  | 
				
| Diplomatic representation in the US | none (possession of France) | chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo FERNANDEZ-FAINGOLD 
 chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York  | 
				
| Disputes - international | claimed by Madagascar | uncontested dispute with Brazil over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada streams and the resulting tripoint with Argentina | 
| Economic aid - recipient | - | NA | 
| Economy - overview | no economic activity | Uruguay's well-to-do economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during 1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn, stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. For instance, in 2001-02 massive withdrawals by Argentina of dollars deposited in Uruguayan banks led to a plunge in the Uruguyan peso and a massive rise in unemployment. Total GDP in these four years dropped by nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to the serious banking crisis. Unemployment rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged, and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMF and the US has limited the damage. The debt swap with private creditors carried out in 2003, which extended the maturity dates on nearly half of Uruguay's $11.3 billion in public debt, substantially alleviated the country's amortization burden in the coming years and restored public confidence. The economy is expected to resume growth in 2004 (perhaps 4% or more) as a result of high commodity prices for Uruguayan exports, the weakness of the dollar against the euro, growth in the region, low international interest rates, and greater export competitiveness. On the negative side, in December 2003 the electorate voted to repeal the law permitting a cautious liberalization of the energy industry. | 
| Electricity - consumption | - | 6.152 billion kWh (2001) | 
| Electricity - exports | - | 1.377 billion kWh (2001) | 
| Electricity - imports | - | 123 million kWh (2001) | 
| Electricity - production | - | 7.963 billion kWh (2001) | 
| Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m 
 highest point: unnamed location 12 m  | 
				lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m 
 highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m  | 
				
| Environment - current issues | NA | water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal | 
| Environment - international agreements | - | party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands 
 signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation  | 
				
| Ethnic groups | - | white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian, practically nonexistent | 
| Exchange rates | - | Uruguayan pesos per US dollar - 28.2091 (2003), 21.257 (2002), 13.3191 (2001), 12.0996 (2000), 11.3393 (1999) | 
| Executive branch | - | chief of state: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March 2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government 
 head of government: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March 2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009) election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote - Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.7%, Jorge LARRANAGA 34.1%, Guillermo STIRLING 10.3%; note - VAZQUEZ will take office on 1 March 2005  | 
				
| Exports | - | NA (2001) | 
| Exports - commodities | - | meat, rice, leather products, wool, fish, dairy products | 
| Exports - partners | - | Brazil 21.4%, US 11.4%, Argentina 7.1%, Germany 6.6%, China 4.3%, Mexico 4.1%, Italy 4.1%, Canada 4% (2003) | 
| Fiscal year | - | calendar year | 
| Flag description | the flag of France is used | nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy | 
| GDP | - | purchasing power parity - $43.67 billion (2003 est.) | 
| GDP - composition by sector | - | agriculture: 7.4% 
 industry: 26.6% services: 66% (2003)  | 
				
| GDP - per capita | - | purchasing power parity - $12,800 (2003 est.) | 
| GDP - real growth rate | - | 2.5% (2003 est.) | 
| Geographic coordinates | 11 30 S, 47 20 E | 33 00 S, 56 00 W | 
| Geography - note | the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system | second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising | 
| Highways | - | total: 8,983 km 
 paved: 8,081 km unpaved: 902 km (1999 est.)  | 
				
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | - | lowest 10%: 3.7% 
 highest 10%: 25.8% (1997)  | 
				
| Imports | - | NA (2001) | 
| Imports - commodities | - | machinery, chemicals, road vehicles, crude petroleum | 
| Imports - partners | - | Argentina 26.1%, Brazil 21%, Russia 11.7%, US 7.6% (2003) | 
| Independence | - | 25 August 1825 (from Brazil) | 
| Industrial production growth rate | - | 0.7% (2003 est.) | 
| Industries | - | food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages | 
| Infant mortality rate | - | total: 12.31 deaths/1,000 live births 
 male: 13.67 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)  | 
				
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | - | 19.4% (2003 est.) | 
| International organization participation | - | FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO | 
| Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 1,800 sq km (1998 est.) | 
| Judicial branch | - | Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly) | 
| Labor force | - | 1.56 million (2003) | 
| Labor force - by occupation | - | agriculture 14%, industry 16%, services 70% | 
| Land boundaries | 0 km | total: 1,564 km 
 border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km  | 
				
| Land use | arable land: 0% 
 permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001)  | 
				arable land: 7.43% 
 permanent crops: 0.23% other: 92.34% (2001)  | 
				
| Languages | - | Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier) | 
| Legal system | the laws of France, where applicable, apply | based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction | 
| Legislative branch | - | bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) 
 elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009); Chamber of Representatives - last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Encuentro Progresista 12, Colorado Party 10, Blanco 7, New Sector/Space Coalition 1; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Encuentro Progresista 40, Colorado Party 33, Blanco 22, New Sector/Space Coalition 4  | 
				
| Life expectancy at birth | - | total population: 75.92 years 
 male: 72.71 years female: 79.24 years (2004 est.)  | 
				
| Literacy | - | definition: age 15 and over can read and write 
 total population: 98% male: 97.6% female: 98.4% (2003 est.)  | 
				
| Location | Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar | Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil | 
| Map references | Africa | South America | 
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm 
 exclusive economic zone: 200 nm  | 
				territorial sea: 12 nm 
 contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation  | 
				
| Merchant marine | - | total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,918 GRT/10,342 DWT 
 by type: chemical tanker 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: Argentina 4, Greece 1 registered in other countries: 6 (2004 est.)  | 
				
| Military - note | defense is the responsibility of France | - | 
| Military branches | - | Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Marines, Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Air Force | 
| Military expenditures - dollar figure | - | $217.9 million (2003) | 
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | - | 2% (2003) | 
| Military manpower - availability | - | males age 15-49: 838,195 (2004 est.) | 
| Military manpower - fit for military service | - | males age 15-49: 677,315 (2004 est.) | 
| National holiday | - | Independence Day, 25 August (1825) | 
| Nationality | - | noun: Uruguayan(s) 
 adjective: Uruguayan  | 
				
| Natural hazards | periodic cyclones | seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts | 
| Natural resources | guano, coconuts | arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries | 
| Net migration rate | - | -0.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) | 
| Pipelines | - | gas 192 km (2004) | 
| Political parties and leaders | - | Colorado Party [Jorge BATLLE Ibanez]; National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE Herrera]; New Sector/Space Coalition or Nuevo Espacio [Rafael MICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or Encuentro Progresista/Frente Amplio [Tabare VAZQUEZ] | 
| Political pressure groups and leaders | - | Agrupacion UTE (powerful state worker's union), Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association), Uruguayan Construction League, Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association), Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization), Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization), the Catholic Church, students | 
| Population | no indigenous inhabitants 
 note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)  | 
				3,399,237 (July 2004 est.) | 
| Population below poverty line | - | 23.7% (2002) | 
| Population growth rate | - | 0.51% (2004 est.) | 
| Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | Colonia, Fray Bentos, Juan La Caze, La Paloma, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Punta del Este, Piriapolis | 
| Radio broadcast stations | - | AM 91, FM 149, shortwave 7 (2001) | 
| Railways | - | total: 2,073 km 
 standard gauge: 2,073 km 1.435-m gauge note: 461 km have been taken out of service and 460 km are in partial use (2003)  | 
				
| Religions | - | Roman Catholic 66% (less than half of the adult population attends church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, nonprofessing or other 31% | 
| Sex ratio | - | at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 
 under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2004 est.)  | 
				
| Suffrage | - | 18 years of age; universal and compulsory | 
| Telephone system | - | general assessment: fully digitalized 
 domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network international: country code - 598; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2002)  | 
				
| Telephones - main lines in use | - | 946,500 (2002) | 
| Telephones - mobile cellular | - | 652,000 (2002) | 
| Television broadcast stations | - | 23 (2002) | 
| Terrain | low and flat | mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland | 
| Total fertility rate | - | 1.96 children born/woman (2004 est.) | 
| Unemployment rate | - | 16% (2003) | 
| Waterways | - | 1,600 km (2002) |