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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio) [time series]

broadcast stations: AM 99, FM 0, shortwave 9 radios: NA

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

337,000 telephones; telephone density 10/100 persons; some modern facilities local: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo intercity: new nationwide microwave network international: 2 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth stations

Broadcast media (Television) [time series]

broadcast stations: 26 televisions: NA

Defense Forces

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

Army, Navy (includes Naval Air Arm, Coast Guard, Marines), Air Force, Grenadier Guards, Coracero Guard, Police

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $216 million, 2.3% of GDP (1991 est.) UZBEKISTAN

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49 775,060; males fit for military service 629,385 (1995 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

accounts for 12% of GDP; large areas devoted to livestock grazing; wheat, rice, corn, sorghum; fishing; self-sufficient in most basic foodstuffs

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.9 billion expenditures: $3 billion, including capital expenditures of $388 million (1991 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Uruguayan peso ($Ur) = 100 centesimos

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $105 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $420 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $69 million

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 2,070,000 kW production: 9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,575 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates [time series]

Uruguayan pesos ($Ur) per US$1 - 5.6 (January 1995), 4.4710 (January 1994), 3.9484 (1993), 3.0270 (1992), 2.0188 (1991), 1.1710 (1990) note: on 1 March 1993 the former New Peso (N$Ur) was replaced as Uruguay's unit of currency by the Peso which is equal to 1,000 of the New Pesos

Exports [time series]

$1.78 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: wool and textile manufactures, beef and other animal products, leather, rice partners: Brazil, Argentina, US, China, Italy

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$4.2 billion (1993)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Imports [time series]

$2.461 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles, chemicals, minerals, plastics partners: Brazil, Argentina, US, Nigeria

Industrial production growth rate (Industrial production) [time series]

growth rate 3.9% (1992); accounts for 28% of GDP

Industries [time series]

meat processing, wool and hides, sugar, textiles, footwear, leather apparel, tires, cement, petroleum refining, wine

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

44% (1994 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (National product) [time series]

GDP - purchasing power parity - $23 billion (1994 est.)

Real GDP per capita (National product per capita) [time series]

$7,200 (1994 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (National product real growth rate) [time series]

4% (1994 est.)

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

Uruguay's economy is a small one with favorable climate, good soils, and substantial hydropower potential. Economic development has been restrained in recent years by excessive government regulation of economic detail and 40% to 130% inflation. Although the GDP growth rate slowed in 1993 to 1.7%, following a healthy expansion to 7.5% in 1992, it rebounded in 1994 to an estimated 4%, spurred mostly by increasing agricultural and other exports and a surprise reversal of the downward trend in industrial production. In a major step toward regional economic cooperation, Uruguay confirmed its commitment to the Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR) customs union by implementing MERCOSUR's common external tariff on most tradables on 1 January 1995. Inflation in 1994 declined for the third consecutive year, yet, at 44%, it remains the highest in the region; analysts predict that the expanding fiscal deficit and wage indexation will force the inflation rate back toward the 50% mark in 1995.

Unemployment rate [time series]

9% (1994 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 176,220 sq km land area: 173,620 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Washington State

Climate [time series]

warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Coastline [time series]

660 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: substantial pollution from Brazilian industry along border; one-fifth of country affected by acid rain generated by Brazil; water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal natural hazards: 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 in weather fronts international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

short section of boundary with Argentina is in dispute; two short sections of the boundary with Brazil are in dispute - Arroyo de la Invernada (Arroio Invernada) area of the Rio Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Cuareim (Rio Quarai) and the Uruguay River

Irrigated land [time series]

1,100 sq km (1989 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total 1,564 km, Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 8% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 78% forest and woodland: 4% other: 10%

Location [time series]

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil

Map references [time series]

South America

Maritime claims [time series]

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation territorial sea: 200 nm; overflight and navigation guaranteed beyond 12 nm

Natural resources [time series]

soil, hydropower potential, minor minerals

Terrain [time series]

mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

Montevideo

Legislative branch (Chamber of Representatives (Camera de Representantes)) [time series]

elections last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999); results - Colorado 32%, Blanco 31%, Encuentro Progresista 31%, New Sector 5%; seats - (99 total) Colorado 32, Blanco 31, Encuentro Progresista 31, New Sector 5

Legislative branch (Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores)) [time series]

elections last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999); results - Colorado 36%, Blanco 34 %, Encuentro Progresista 27%, New Sector 3%; seats - (30 total) Colorado 11, Blanco 10, Encuentro Progresista 8, New Sector 1

Constitution [time series]

27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980

Digraph [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Eduardo MACGILLYCUDDY chancery: 1918 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York consulate(s): New Orleans

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state and head of government: President Julio Maria SANGUINETTI (since 1 March 1995); Vice President Hugo BATALLA (since 1 March 1995); election last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[598] (2) 48 86 11

Flag [time series]

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

Independence [time series]

25 August 1828 (from Brazil)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court

Legal system [time series]

based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral General Assembly (Asamblea General)

International organization participation (Member of) [time series]

AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, MERCOSUR, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNOMIL, UNOMOZ, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Country name (Names) [time series]

conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 25 August (1828)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

National (Blanco) Party; Colorado Party, Jorge BATLLE; Broad Front Coalition, Gen. Liber SEREGNI Mosquera; New Sector Coalition, Hugo BATALLA; Encuentro Progresista

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Government type (Type) [time series]

republic

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. DODD embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 23 60 61, 48 77 77

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 25% (female 392,262; male 409,580) 15-64 years: 63% (female 1,026,314; male 995,492) 65 years and over: 12% (female 233,377; male 165,691) (July 1995 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

17.57 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate [time series]

9.27 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

16.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.355 million (1991 est.) by occupation: government 25%, manufacturing 19%, agriculture 11%, commerce 12%, utilities, construction, transport, and communications 12%, other services 21% (1988 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 74.46 years male: 71.24 years female: 77.83 years (1995 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 96% male: 97% female: 96%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Population [time series]

3,222,716 (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.74% (1995 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 66% (less than half adult population attends church regularly), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, nonprofessing or other 30%

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.41 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 85 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 8 with paved runways under 914 m: 54 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 14

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 49,900 km paved: 6,700 km unpaved: gravel 3,000 km; earth 40,200 km

Waterways (Inland waterways) [time series]

1,600 km; used by coastal and shallow-draft river craft

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 71,405 GRT/110,939 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, container 1, oil tanker 1

Ports [time series]

Fray Bentos, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Punta del Este

Railways (Railroads) [time series]

total: 3,000 km standard gauge: 3,000 km 1.435-m gauge