1.1. - Gained their independence from Brazil on August 25, 1825
1.2. - Montevideo was founded by the Spanish in 1726
1.3. - A decline began in the 1950's as successive governments struggled to maintain a large bureaucracy and costly social benefits. Economic stagnation and left- wing terrorist activity followed.
1.4. -A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement, the Tupamaros, took over Uruguay in the late 1960's.
1.5. - Uruguay had a civil war from 1839-1851
2. b) politics / political system
2.1. - In 2009, former Tupamaro and agriculture minister José Mujica, was elected president, subsequently succeeding Vázquez on March 1, 2010.
2.2. - Constitutional republic
2.3. - Have to be 18 years or older to vote.
2.4. - For the Legislative branch, the Supreme Court judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly.
2.5. - Tabaré Vázquez is Uruguay's president.
3. c) economy / natural reources
3.1. - In the late 1950s, partly because of a decrease in demand in the world market for agricultural products, Uruguay began having economic problems, which included inflation, mass unemployment, and a steep drop in the standard of living for Uruguayan workers.
3.2. - Natural resources: arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish.
3.3. - President Lacalle executed major economic structural reforms and pursued further liberalization of trade regimes, including Uruguay's inclusion in the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) in 1991.
3.4. - Almost 90% of the land is used for livestock.
3.5. - Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending.
4. d) relations with the U.S.
4.1. - The relationship between the United States and Uruguay is strong.
4.2. - The United States established diplomatic relations with Uruguay in 1867, which became an independent state following the 1828 dissolution of its federation with Argentina.
4.3. - U.S. assistance strengthens and maintains the Uruguayan military's peacekeeping and disaster response capabilities.
4.4. - The two countries have signed an Open Skies Agreement, a bilateral investment treaty, a trade and investment framework agreement, a science and technology agreement, and a memorandum of understanding on renewable energy and energy efficiency.
4.5. - U.S. exports to Uruguay include machinery, perfumes/cosmetics, toys and sports equipment, oil, and agricultural products. U.S. imports from Uruguay include beef, prepared meat, dairy, citrus, eggs, honey, and hides and skins.
5. e) Travel and tourist attractions
5.1. Plaza Independencia- the most important plaza in Uruguay.
5.2. Water Sports - They have a lot of water- based activities like boating, surfing, swimming, and fishing.(along the beach)
5.3. Punta del Diablo and Punta del Este- known for its beautiful beaches.
5.4. Casa Pueblo - huge art gallery of Carlos Vilaro's masterpieces.
5.5. Plaza de Torros- known for its great architecture and bullring.
6. f) fun facts
6.1. - In December 2013, Uruguay became the world’s first country to legalise the marijuana trade.
6.2. - The only country in South America smaller than Uruguay is Suriname.
6.3. - The country Uruguay is named after the Uruguay River. The Guaraní word 'Uruguay' means "river of the painted birds".
6.4. - In Uruguay, cows outnumber people by three to one.
6.5. - About three quarters of the country is grassland.
7. g) Culture
7.1. - Uruguayans enjoy musics such as tango, folk, and waltz as well as local forms such as candombe, milonga and murga.
7.2. - About 66% of all Uruguayans are Roman Catholics.
7.3. - Spanish is the official language of Uruguay, and is spoken by almost all of the population.
7.4. - Chivito is Uruguay's national dish (sandwhich).
7.5. - 1/3 of Uruguayan adults smoke tobacco.
8. h) impacts of physical geography
8.1. - Comparable to the size of Oklahoma
8.2. -low, rolling plain in the south and a low plateau in the north
8.3. - They have problems with water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal.
