Uruguay

In brief

Uruguay is a country in South America. Its capital is Montevideo. With 3.4 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 132nd in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 181,034 km². It shares land borders with Argentina and Brazil.

GDP per capita stands at $25,216 (2025), 52nd in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 78.3 years (2024). 96% of the population lives in cities.

History of Uruguay

Contested by Spain and Portugal, the “Banda Oriental” of the Río de la Plata rose up behind José Artigas and then fell under Brazilian rule. Its independence was recognised in 1828. In the early 20th century Uruguay became one of the first welfare states in the Americas. It hosted and won the first football World Cup in 1930. After the military dictatorship of 1973-1985 it became a stable democracy again; in 2013 it was the first country in the world to legalise cannabis.

Geography of Uruguay

South America’s second-smallest country, Uruguay is made up of grassy plains and hills suited to cattle farming. It borders the Río de la Plata and the Atlantic. Its electricity comes almost entirely from renewable sources.

Map of Uruguay

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Flag of Uruguay

The flag of Uruguay is white and blue. Its official proportions are 2:3 (height to width).

• White59%
• Blue36%
• Brown3%
• Yellow2%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Nine blue and white stripes, for the nine original departments, and a golden Sun of May on a white square, a symbol shared with Argentina.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Uruguay” and “Flag of Uruguay”.

See also: flags with a sun.

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Fact file

Economy and society