Uruguay

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Uruguay

Uruguay is a Spanish-speaking country in the southern-most region of South America, and home to 3,5 million people. A nation steeped in history and a distinct past, Uruguay's home to an exciting, though frequently less talked about, cultural experience.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

Despite appearing unequivocally land locked on three sides, Uruguay is actually surrounded by water. It faces the Rio Grande do Sul of Brazil on its northern border, the Uruguay River on its western border, the estuary of the Rio de la Plata on its southwestern border and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast.

Uruguay, whose official name is The Oriental Republic of Uruguay, was rated ninth by Reader's Digest in terms of the most livable and greenest countries in the world, and first overall in the Americas, beating out even the United States.

Montevideo, Uruguay's largest and capital city, is an exciting and wholly cosmopolitan city and flaunts architecture reminiscent of its European roots. Art Deco, Neoclassical, towering skyscrapers and old European architecture can be found all around.

Tourism is big business in Uruguay. Each year, visitors flock to Sol's Theatre and the Palacio Salvo, Plaza Independencia and public squares, the Gaucho Museum, and the Palacio Municipal. They also visit for festivals of Montevideo, like Montevideo Carnaval, the country's variation of the famous street party, and a popular Gaucho festival. Tourists also visit for the asado, a variation on barbecued beef that doubles as a cultural mainstay.

Beaches are the other claim to fame the country of Uruguay can boast about. With pleasant year around temperatures, visitors flock to beautiful beaches in Motevideo, including Fortaleza del Cerro, the Rambla , Punta Gorda, Barrio Sur and Palermo.