Uruguay Travel Overview

Uruguay Travel Overview

Important facts

Capital: Montevideo (See more on SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES.COM)

Official language: Spanish

Currency: Uruguay Peso en Unidades Indexadas

Continent: South-South America

Travel in Uruguay

Uruguay has long been an insider tip among travelers in South America. Discover the unique beauty and cosmopolitanism that characterize this country.

Location

According to Countryaah, Uruguay is located in the south-east of the South American continent. Its eastern location is the reason why the official state name is ” Oriental Republic of Uruguay”. Oriens in this case has the Spanish meaning of east. The country borders on Brazil. After Suriname it is the second smallest country in South America. It also borders on Atlantic and Argentina.

Holidays

In Uruguay you can combine city trips, beach holidays and the nature of South America in a unique way. The city’s nightlife is lively and the cuisine is plentiful. In general, it can be said that the country’s cuisine is close to Central and Southern European cuisine. Similar to Argentina, Uruguay is characterized by cattle breeding, which is why you will find huge steaks and a wide variety of grilled dishes in every restaurant.

Useful information

The country is well developed in terms of transport. In Uruguay there are buses between the cities and taxis are relatively cheap. Additionally, many people hitchhike to explore the country as it is considered relatively safe in Uruguay. The country’s crime rate is the lowest in Latin America!

Currency

Currency (sub-unit)

Uruguay Peso en Unidades Indexadas

ISO 4217 code

UYI / 940

Currency (sub-unit)

Peso (100 centesimos)

ISO 4217 code

UYU / 858

Geography

Continent: South America

Region: south

Geo coordinates: S -32 ° -31 ‘-22 ” W -55 ° -45’ -57″

Highest mountain: Cerro Catedral (514 m)

Total area: 176,220 km²

Mainland: 173,620 km²

National border: 1,564 km

Coastline: 660 km

Politics

Dependency: Brazil until 1825

UN member since: 1945

Other political affiliation: Organization of American States

Form of government: Presidential Republic

Houses of Parliament: bikameral

Party system: Multi-party system

State building: centralized

Political culture: Subject / citizen culture

Particularities: Elective from 18 years of age

Economy

Uruguay GDP - gross domestic product

Export goods: Wool, meat, hides

BSP: $ 17,577,000,000

GDP: $ 17,969,000,000

GDP purchasing power parity: $ 36,040,000,000

Economic growth: 5.6%

GDP share of agriculture: 8.9%

GDP share of industry: 32.3%

GDP share of services: 58.8%

Inflation rate: 4.2%

Unemployment: 11.8%

State budget revenue: $ 4294967295

State budget expenditure: $ 4294967295

Export: $ 3,372,000,000

Import: $ 3,220,000,000

Foreign debt: $ 14,530,000,000

Gold and currency reserves: $ 3,544,000,000

Electricity consumption: 8,347 million KWh

Gas consumption: 80 million m³

Oil consumption: 40,100 million m³

Cultivation area: 8.16%

Bovine: 11,977,000 pieces

Sheep: 11,080,000 pieces

Fishing: 127,000 t

Demographic data

Residents: 3,432,000

Residents in cities: 3.190.100

Minorities: 8% mestizo, 4% black

Average age: 32.7 years

0-14 years: 22.9%

15-64 years: 63.9%

> 65 years: 13.2%

Population growth: 0.46%

Birth rate: 13.91 / 1,000 residents

Death rate: 9.05 / 1,000 residents

Migration: -0.25 / 1,000 residents

Ratio men / women: 0.95

Fertility: 1.89 children / woman

Infant mortality: 11.61 ‰

Life expectancy men: 73.12 years

Life expectancy women: 79.65 years

Country codes and abbreviations

ISO 3166 Alpha 2: UY

ISO 3166 Alpha 3: URY

ISO 3166 numeric: 858

Top Level Domain: uy

IOC country code: URU

UN / LOCODE: UY

Source: Abbreviationfinder

Communication

Telephone connections: 1,089,000

Cell Phones: 1,117,000

Radios: 2,060,000

TV: 1,940,000

Computer: 640,000

Internet users: 1,120,000

Transportation

Railway lines: 2,073 km

Paved roads: 8,122 km

Cars: 702,000

Merchant fleet (ships over 1,000 GRT): 13

Pipelines: 192

Health

Number of doctors: 13.110

Daily food intake: 2.880 kcal / resident

HIV- infected people: 6,200

Education

Illiteracy: 2%

History

Foundation: 1825

Last sovereign since: 1825

Religion

Main religious group: Christians

Distribution of religions: 66% Catholics, 2% Protestants, 2% Jews

Crime

Prison inmates: 7,200

Military

Armed forces (troop strength): 24,000

Main battle tank: 20th

Battleships: 3

Warplanes: 40

Defense Spending: $ 404.9 million

GETTING THERE

Arriving by plane

Uruguay’s international airports are served by all major airlines. In general, flights go via Madrid / Buenos Aires or via Rio de Janeiro / Sao Paulo. Iberia (IB), Iberia Express (I2) and TAM Airlines together serve the route Frankfurt via Madrid and Paulo to Montevideo. Iberia (IB) flies in cooperation with the Uruguayan BQB Airlines (5Q) from Zurich or Geneva via Madrid and Buenos Aires to Montevideo. Air France (AF) flies from Paris via Buenos Aires to Montevideo. Air Europa (UX) flies non-stop from Madrid to Montevideo.

Air passes

The TAM South American Airpass is valid on all routes of the participating airlines within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile (with the exception of Easter Island), Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. The participating airline is: TAM (JJ). The pass is valid for stays of a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 45 days and is only available to passengers who are resident outside of South America in conjunction with an international round-trip ticket. A minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 countries must be visited. A maximum of 8 flight coupons are allowed (9 if Iguazú is being flown to), with a maximum of 2 flight interruptions (stopovers) per country. The flight route must be specified in the ticket and firmly reserved. Flights may be rebooked, but the flight route may not be changed. Children under 12 years of age receive a 25% discount, infants under 2 years of age (without their own seat) 90% discount.

The Oneworld Visit South America Pass is valid on routes operated by participating airlinesAmerican Airlines, British Airways, LAN, Qatar Airwaysand their affiliated airlines within South America in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Applicable only to passengers residing outside of South America. Valid for a maximum of 6 months from arrival in South America. The Airpass includes at least 3 coupons. The number of coupons is not limited. A coupon is required for each section of the route. The stopovers are limited to the number of coupons purchased. Children from 2 years of age: no discount. Infants under 2 years of age are free (no seat occupancy). The reservation of the entire route must be made before departure or the ticket is issued. A fee of US $ 15 will be charged for each route change or change to the flight date. Cancellation fees: Refunds before departure, No reimbursement after departure. Purchase of tickets / issue before departure in Germany.

Departure fee

US $ 40 from Carrasco International; US $ 19 from Carrasco to Buenos Aires.

Arrival by car

Long distance and TTL buses regularly connect Brazil with Uruguay. The coaches are modern and have a bar, TV, radio and toilet. Driving time from Montevideo to Porto Alegre (Brazil) 14 hours, to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) 59 hours. Further connections weekly with EGA and EXP.Brujula buses from Asunción and Iguazú (Paraguay) and from Santiago (Chile). Buses operated by the transport company Belgrano, Cauvi, Anetra (Internet: www.anetra.com.uy) and B. Carrera connect Montevideo with Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Arriving by train

No passenger service to Brazil and Argentina.

Arrival by ship

Montevideo is the largest international port in the country and is called by cargo ships from Europe and the USA.
Ferries connect Buenos Aires (Argentina) with Montevideo (travel time: 10 hours), there are also daily high-speed ferries from Buquebus (Internet: www.buquebus.com), including the “Francisco” ferry (travel time 2 hours 12 minutes).
Ship connections from Colonia (160 km west of Montevideo) to Buenos Aires and hydrofoils (three times a day).

ON THE GO

Departure fee

From Carrasco Airport: US $ 2.

On the way by car / bus

The road network covers around 50,000 km, of which 8683 km are motorways. 80% of the road network is paved or otherwise paved. Bus: Two bus companies (CITA and UCOT (Internet: www.ucot.net)) operate nationwide, they connect all cities in the country and the border crossings to Brazil. There are also a large number of regional bus companies such as COTA, MINUANO, NUNEZ, SABELIN and INTERTUR. Rental cars are available in Montevideo. Documentation: International driver’s license recommended. A limited driving license (valid for 90 days) is issued in the town hall (Municipio).

Traveling in the city

Montevideo has an extensive bus network, with some trolleybuses operating in the city and suburbs, and suburban and commuter trains between 25 de Agosto Montevideo Central Station and Progreso. Standard fares apply in the city center. There are metered taxis in all cities and at airports, and drivers have a price list. Each piece of luggage costs extra, and there is a surcharge from 24.00-06.00. Taxis can be hired for a flat rate by the hour within the cities.

On the go by train

Regular commuter trains connect Montevideo with San José every day except Sundays via the stations Colon, La Paz, El Dorado, Canelones, Margat, 25 de Agosto and Rodriguez. There are no regular long-distance trains in Uruguay. Ferrocarril Feliz operates special trains for tourism.

On the way by ship

1250 km of waterways, mainly on the Uruguay and the Río de la Plata. No scheduled ferry connections on the major rivers. The Río Uruguay is navigable from Colonia to Salto and the Río Negro (from northeast to northwest) to the port city of Mercedes.