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Uruguay Official Facts
- Official Language: Spanish
- Population: 3,460,000
- Currency: Uruguayan Peso, UYU
- Major Religions:
Roman Catholic, Protestant - Major Exports:
Meat, rice, leather products, vehicles, dairy products, wool, electricity
Weather in Uruguay
Located entirely within the temperate zone, Uruguay has a climate that is fairly uniform nationwide. The country features warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. High humidity and fog are common.
Teaching Abroad in Uruguay Overview:
Charming Montevideo is the capital of little known Uruguay, and a great place to start an architectural tour or teaching career. If you would rather spend your time engaging in rest and relaxation, than lie out on the beaches of Punta del Este on the Uruguayan Riviera. If you are a fan of the, "Beef - it's what's for dinner" advertising campaign, than you'll love this treasure of the South American continent. The Uruguayan people are some of the largest consumers of beef. You will have an opportunity to exercise off those extra calories as the beaches make for a great running track and soccer is the national love and pastime.
Interesting Facts About Uruguay
- Uruguay is rated the least corrupt country in Latin America (along with Chile) and is considered the most secular country in South America.
- Montevideo was ranked as the city with the best quality of life in Latin America by the Mercer Human Resource Consulting firm in April of 2006.
- About 88 percent of Uruguayans are of European descent, a high amount compared to many other Latin-American countries. Towards the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, Uruguay received a large amount of European immigrants, mainly from Spain and Italy.
- Uruguay's full name is República Oriental del Uruguay, which translated would mean Oriental Republic of Uruguay. "Uruguay" is a Guaraní word which can be translated as "river of painted birds". This country was named after that term because it's located to the west of the Uruguay River.
Highlights of Working Abroad in Uruguay
- On Saturdays, Ciudad Vieja in Montevideo becomes a vast antique market offering fine silver, jewelry and art.
- The Mercado del Puerto, the city's port market, is packed with restaurants, clubs, bars and shops. It's the ideal place for seafood as well as traditional parrillada, or beef platters.
- Tango clubs are a popular destination, especially since many famous tango scores were penned and performed for the first time in this Uruguayan city!
- Drink like a native! Mate, a strong herbal tea, is the unofficial drink of Uruguay, and Montevideo residents are so addicted to it that they carry around special thermoses with metal straws, ensuring they are never without the elixir.
Festivals in Uruguay
Lemanja - Festival of the Goddess of the Sea
On February 2nd, people in Montevideo and Punta Del Este celebrate the Lemanja - Festival of the Goddess of the Sea. Thousands of people gather each year at different beaches to honor and receive her blessing and protection. Nowadays, the crowds consist of devotees and a growing number of onlookers that stop and watch the festivities. Celebrants typically dress in all white or light blue offering gifts like watermelons and candles. Other celebrants kick it up a notch by offering ornate sand sculptures or small boats filled with fruit, money, and whatever else you can imagine. This is certainly one of those unique experiences not to be missed!
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