The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is a small country located between Argentina to its west and Brazil to its east. Uruguay is a relatively low-lying country with fertile plains and low hills, with its highest point, Cerro Catedral, reaching 514 metres above sea level. Uruguay’s western border with Argentina is made up entirely by the Uruguay river and the Rio de la Plata Estuary. Uruguay’s full name in Spanish means ‘the Republic on the east of the Uruguay (River), from which it gets its common name of ‘Uruguay’.
Uruguay’s capital is Montevideo.
Uruguay’s population is approximately 3.4 million (2013 est) and is made up of mainly European (88 per cent) and mestizo (eight per cent) people, with a small black population (four per cent). Roman Catholicism is the largest religion in Uruguay with around 47 per cent of the population identifying as Catholic although some of these identify as non-practising Catholics. Protestantism, Judaism and other faiths are also present. Spanish is the official language of Uruguay.
Colonia del Sacramento
- formerly the Portuguese Colónia do Sacramento) is a city in southwestern Uruguay, by the Río de la Plata, facing Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It is one of the oldest towns in Uruguay and capital of the Colonia Department.
It is renowned for its historic quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in Portuguese style - old houses and cobblestoned streets, the historic portion of Colonia - remind a style of old Lisbon
Modern Colonia del Sacramento produces textiles and has a free trade zone, in addition to a polytechnic centre and various government buildings. Many travelers stop to enjoy the excellent restaurants, art and craft shops, museums and a large yacht harbor.
