From the invention of tango to the world’s longest national anthem, these are the most interesting facts about Uruguay.
Fast facts
Official name: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
Population: 3,425,330
Area: 176,215 sq km
Capital city: Montevideo
Major languages: Spanish (official)
Major religions: Christianity (42% Roman Catholic, 15% Protestant), 24% did not specify
Time zone: UTC-3 (Montevideo Standard Time)
Interesting facts about Uruguay
1. Uruguay is in the southeastern area of South America, bordered by Brazil and Argentina.
2. Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America. Only Suriname is smaller.
3. Indigenous groups such as the Charrúa and Guaraní Indians were the first known to occupy Uruguay.
4. The indigenous population was exterminated by the arrival of the Europeans from the 16th to the 19th century.
5. Spanish navigator Juan Díaz de Solís was the first European to explore Uruguay in 1516.
6. After becoming independent of Spain in 1811, Paraguay formed a regional federation with Argentina.
7. Uruguay was annexed to Brazil by Portugal 10 years later but declared independence in 1825, solidified by the 1828 Treaty of Montevideo.
8. Uruguay has the world’s longest national anthem, taking around six minutes to sing. It is called Orientales, la Patria o La Tumba (“Uruguayans, the Fatherland or the Grave”).
9. The flag of Uruguay, known as the “Pabellón Nacional,” has nine horizontal stripes alternating white and blue, representing the original nine departments. In the upper left corner, there’s a white square with a golden sun featuring a face called the “Sun of May,” symbolizing freedom and independence. The sun has sixteen rays, alternating between straight and wavy, representing those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun.
10. Uruguay is one of the most progressive nations in Latin America for LGBT people, ranking seventh in the world for the protection of sexual orientation and gender Identity (SOGI) minorities in 2020.
11. Yerba Mate, a caffeinated beverage, is a beloved favorite among South Americans. Uruguayans are particularly fond of it, consuming an impressive annual average of 6-8 kilograms per person.
12. The name “Uruguay” comes from the Guarani language, meaning “river of painted birds”.
13. In 2009, Uruguay became the first country to give every primary school student a laptop.
14. Uruguayans are such lovers of salt that the Montevideo city government has had to ban it from appearing on the tables of restaurants and schools. Salt shakers, along with ketchup and mayonnaise, are not readily available at the diner’s disposal.
15. Building on the salt fact, 30% of the population suffers from hypertension (high blood pressure), which explains the imposed salt laws.
16. Uruguay is sometimes described as “one big farm.” At one point, cows outnumbered people four to one.
17. Beef is the main export of Uruguay, accounting for 20% of the total goods exported in 2022.
18. More than 80% of Uruguay’s exports are agricultural-based.
19. Ninety-eight percent of Uruguay’s energy comes from renewable sources.
20. The first-ever World Cup was hosted in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930. It paid off as their national team won the cup.
21. Argentina and Uruguay have agreed to disagree about the origins of the tango, and now both share credit for its invention. Said to be developed in the lower classes of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, it certainly takes two to tango!
22. The world’s “poorest president” comes from Uruguay. Jose Mujica, who reigned as president from 2010 to 2015, donated 90% of his monthly salary to charity, the equivalent of $12,000 USD.
23. Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
24. Uruguay has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, L’œuvre de l’ingénieur Eladio Dieste: Église d’Atlántida, Paysage industriel de Fray Bentos and Quartier historique de la ville de Colonia del Sacramento.
25. Uruguay was one of the first countries to separate church from state and renamed some Christian holidays to reflect the secular society. In 1919, Christmas Day became known as Family Week and Holy Week was rebranded as Tourism Week.
26. The year 2023 marked a significant water emergency for Uruguay, as the country faced its worst drought in 70 years. The government has increased the spending on water infrastructure to lessen the impact.
Every effort has been made to verify these facts about Uruguay using primary sources. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.