GENERAL INFORMATION

"Uruguay, a Meeting Place"
Surrounded by the vast territories of Argentina and Brazil, by enormous rivers and by the Atlantic Ocean, Uruguay is located in a privileged site in South America. Spanish is spoken through-out its total surface of 176.215km².

"Nick-named America´s Switzerland, the samll independent country of Uruguay is known for the sense of personal security shared by its people."
In fact, Montevideo is ranked among Latin American capitals with the lowest crime rate.
The climate and topography attract visitors from allover the globe to bask in senshine and marvel at beatiful beaches, mountains, rivers and lush, vibrant foliage and, flora.

Just as Switzerland isn´t limited to the Alps, cuckoo clocks or numbered bank accounts, Uruguay has lots more to offer.

With its rich culture, history and variation in pace and setting, Uruguay has an aspect to enchant everyone. Uruguay is not only a tranquil oasis but a country thriving in business and the arts.

ART AND THE PEOPLE
For the small contry with a population of 3 million, the world has known many famous individuals who have hailed from Uruguay.
In painting, for example, Manuel Balnes, Pedro Figari, Joaquín Torres García and his Constructive Universalism, Rafael Pérez Barradas and Carlos Paez Vilaró have all been influenced by the country´s beauty and character. The Ex-President, art critic and collector, introduced the collection, exclaiming "Without a doubt, the best expression of our national identity is that reflected by these artists."

TANGO MUSIC
"La Cumparsita", the most popular standard in Tango, was composed by a Uruguayan student, Gerardo Mattos Rodriguez, and recorded by Julio Sosa on one of his best-selling records. The singer Carlos Gardel, whose birthplace has benn long debated spent long periods in Montevideo and Malvin, where there is a beach comemorating his name.

WORLD FAMOUS SOCCER
Uruguay was the first country instrumental in organizing a World Champonship Soccer Match in the Parque Central Stadium. Later the stadium Estadio Centenario was constructed to by named by the FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, as an historical monument. Consequently, portions of the stadium are devoted as a soccer museum. Uruguay team, clad in sky blue, has proved quite successful, bringing home two Olympic titles (1924 and 1928), two world championships (1930 and 1950), and 15 continental titles including the 1995 Americas Cup. Famous players remembered include: Juan Schiaffino, Ladislao Mazurkiewicz, Walter Ferreyra, Enzo Francescoli "El Principe" and the legendary Obdulio Varela. Varela scored the winning goal against Brazil in Maracaná in 1950.

MONTEVIDEO
With 1.5 million inhabitants, 44% of the country’s population, Montevideo is a great city, full of residential neighborhoods, parks and bordered by beaches.

In this city, rich with culture and history, it is the warmth and friendliness of the people that enhance it’s beauty. Visitors are delightfully surprised with the generosity and willingness extended by natives of Montevideo.

The old city of Montevideo seems lodged in another time, visitors are often surprised and delighted to discover that the city still retains the disposition and feel of an intimate village.

Dockside  Markets, similar in structure to the old European markets, the dockside marketplace hosts a 24 hours pageant. Street musicians, artisans and painters peddle their wares. Among the smells are the aromas of the classic “parrillada” barbeque, seafood and the sandwich “chivito”, with the grilled beef, bacon, pimentos and mozzarella.

Shopping enthusiast will be delighted with the area’s four major shopping centers, Pocitos, Carrasco, Punta Carretas and Tres Cruces and the departments stores of Avenue 18 de Julio. In this area’s you would find all that you are looking for and more.

Carnival month, it is the most important party of Uruguay and the most representative for the people of our country, it’s extended trough all of February and half of March. The carnival is kicked off with a spirited parade of floats and all kinds of participations.

Punta del Este is the most important resort of Uruguay, there you can find the most beautiful beaches and the greatest infrastructure that a first class resort must have. An internationally renowned resort town. Celebrities and jet-setters from across the globe frequent this resort for the wonderful beaches, the fresh air and the fascinating nightlife. With a skyline of alternating high-rise towers and millions dollars mansions, Punta del Este is the host to a sophisticated culture and a swinging social scene. During the day, locals and visitors hit the beaches of the peninsula, where one coast is calm and serene while the other is pounded by crashing waves.

Colonia del Sacramento, the old city’s center, holds 300 years of history. This city was proclaimed patrimony of the humanities. The old buildings have been restored as monuments to the past. Tourist also enjoy an authentic taste of Uruguay in the local handcrafts and style of barbeque.