<text><span class="style42"></span><span class="style12">URUGUAY</span><span class="style14"></span><span class="style42">Official name: </span><span class="style13">La República Oriental del Uruguay (The Eastern Republic of Uruguay)</span><span class="style42">Member of: </span><span class="style13">UN, OAS, ALADI, Mercosur</span><span class="style42">Area: </span><span class="style13">176215 km2 (68037 sq mi)</span><span class="style42">Population: </span><span class="style13">3150000 (1993 est)</span><span class="style42">Capital: </span><span class="style13">Montevideo 1370000 (city 1312000; 1985 census)</span><span class="style42">Other major cities: </span><span class="style13">Salto 80000, Paysandú 76000 (1985 census)</span><span class="style42">Language: </span><span class="style13">Spanish (official)</span><span class="style42">Religions: </span><span class="style13">Roman Catholic (58%), various Protestant Churches</span><span class="style42">GOVERNMENT</span><span class="style13">The President and Congress – consisting of a 31-member Senate and a 99-member Chamber of Deputies – are elected for five years by universal adult suffrage. The President appoints a Council of Ministers.</span><span class="style42">GEOGRAPHY</span><span class="style13">Uruguay consists mainly of low plains and plateau. Hills in the southeast rise to over 500 m (1640 ft). </span><span class="style42">Climate: </span><span class="style13">Uruguay has a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters. Rainfall averages around 900 mm (35 in).</span><span class="style42">ECONOMY</span><span class="style13">Pastureland – for sheep and beef cattle – covers about 80% of the land. Meat, wool and hides are the leading exports. Despite a lack of natural resources, Uruguay has a high standard of living, but the demands of the welfare state have placed a burden on the economy. </span><span class="style42">Currency: </span><span class="style13">Peso.</span><span class="style42">HISTORY</span><span class="style13">The Spanish landed in Uruguay in 1516, and for much of the colonial era Uruguay was disputed between Spain and Portugal. In 1808 independence was declared from Spain, but Uruguay had to repulse successive Brazilian and Argentinian armies (1811–27) before independence was achieved (1828). Until 1903 Uruguay was ruled by dictators and wracked by civil war. However, prosperity from cattle and wool, and the presidencies of the reformer José Battle (1903–07 and 1911–15), turned Uruguay into a democracy and an advanced welfare state. A military dictatorship held power during the Depression. By the late 1960s economic problems had ushered in a period of social and political turmoil, and urban guerrillas became active. In 1973 a coup installed a military dictatorship that made Uruguay notorious for abuses of human rights. In 1985 the country returned to democratic rule.</span></text>