AN ADVENTURE THROUGH URUGUAY
Through this document you will be able to know and soak up information about the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, the country of Carlos Gardel, Mate, Asado and Football..
GEOGRAPHY AND DEMOGRAPHY.
Located in the extreme south of America, the Eastern Republic of Uruguay has an area of 176,215 square kilometers, a population of only 3.5 million inhabitants and a population density of only 20 inhabitants per square km. The origin of the name of our country precisely derives from being a territory that is located in the extreme east of the Uruguay River (In the Guaraní language: it would be the river of painted birds).
The National territory is divided into 19 departments, the southernmost and the smallest being the Capital Montevideo. (curious fact: The Metropolitan area of Montevideo concentrates a total of 1.95 million inhabitants)
Uruguay has a temperate climate all year round (it is the only country in South America that is not located above the tropics) and does not have large reliefs, being the cathedral hill the highest point in the country (502 meters above sea level ). In short, it can be said that it is a country of extensive prairies and fertile lands for livestock and agriculture (main economic activities of the country).
Finally, I have to highlight that we have 660km of coastline distributed between the Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean, much of it is suitable for bathing
A BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
At the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, a series of independentist revolutions were carried out throughout the American continent in favor of the creation of independent states and against the Spanish and Portuguese crown.
On May 18, 1811, the "Battle of the Stones" took place, led by our Prócer José Gervasio Artigas, an end was put to the Spanish hegemony in the Eastern Band (This was the name of the territory that we know as Uruguay before independence ).
Although the country did not become independent until August 25, 1825.
. THE CURRENT STATE, SOCIETY AND CULTURE.
Uruguay boasted for many years of being nicknamed "the Switzerland of America" as a result of its great economic boom from the beginning to the middle of the 20th century. Today it would be more accurate to nickname it "the Norway of America." Since together with 7 other nations it is recognized as the most democratic country in the world.
It is a state where the freedom of the clergy, the freedom of expression, the freedom of worship and the freedom to be as you want predominate. racism, xenophobia and homophobia although they are existing are minimal. We could boast of being a tolerant society that as new generations emerge, all this is affirming.
Over the last 10 years, a series of liberal current legislative reforms have been promoted, where the liberty of the individual was prioritized. So much so that abortion, equal marriage, adoption by a homosexual marriage, the legalization of Marijuana (Cannabis) and a law that supports and integrates Transgender people in society has been legalized. The strongest political currents in Uruguay are the center left in first place and Liberalism in second place. The conservative Right would be in third place with 10%. I must also emphasize that Uruguay is the country with the best quality of life in Latin America.
Entering fully into Society and culture: although we live in a secular state and where half are Catholic, the official religion of the country is Football. In what describes us as a society, I have to prioritize Football over all things because we are inveterate lovers of this sport. And is not for less. We are born with a ball on our feet. In our golden age we were pioneers worldwide and throughout history we have become the most winning country in the world with a population of 3.5 million inhabitants (Our record is reduced to: 2 FiFA World Cups, 2 Olympic golds and 15 America cups).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu1WanatiAM
Something that we are also very passionate about is Carnival. Uruguay has the longest carnival in the world (it lasts approximately 40 days). It can be appreciated in two different ways: through "the calls" which is a parade where the different "comparsas" compete or it can also be enjoyed through the "tablados" which is a stage where the comparsas compete to see what they are. the best of each category.
There are 5 categories in the Uruguayan carnival:
The Murga:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyhVS1g_-Iw
Candombe (Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbAgRS-Yp-U
PARODISTAS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byi-QfpNEfU&t=1509s
HUMORISTAS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzeckcV50-0
REVISTAS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8lF7FK-aU0
Ending with the musical and carnival culture, I have to make a stop at the other intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO that Uruguay has and that is TANGO. Our greatest exponent is Carlos Gardel. And the most popular song of said Genre is "Cumparsita".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB5OZ_aeB1E
GASTRONOMIC CULTURE.
Uruguay is famous worldwide for the high quality of its bovine meats, which is why our cuisine has meat as its star. In fact, I can tell you that we are on the podium of countries that consume the most meat per capita in the world. Our most representative dishes are: Asado, Chivito, Scrambled Gramajo and Carusso sauce. Being a cattle country also offers us a great variety of dairy products, and among them is another pearl of our gastronomy, Dulce de Leche.
Another symbol that distinguishes the Uruguayan wherever he is in the world is the Mate. Our national drink, also shared with Argentina, Paraguay and southern Brazil, maté is nothing more than an infusion of herbs called Yerba Mate, which are placed in a container, put hot water on it and drunk with a light bulb. This drink produces a stimulating effect similar to coffee.
The point is that for the Uruguayan, mate is not simply a drink but is a symbol of reunion. Uruguayan people usually get together with family and friends to drink mate and go for a walk. Every day that it rains, we usually prepare mate and accompany it with fried cakes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEtEUvreDDM
As if that were not enough, Uruguay also has a great wine culture. Owning several internationally renowned wineries and working on many varieties of grapes. But the most important and awarded is the Tannat variety native to our lands. Every wine lover has to visit our wineries sometime and enjoy our wines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rOQdUQEVC4
TOURIST URUGUAY.
I could spend a lot of time detailing the beautiful places that Uruguay has in order to visit and learn about its landscapes, history and culture. Next I am going to leave you a list of places to know that, far from disappointing you, will make you fall in love with this country even more:
. Video on tourist information about Montevideo and other parts of Uruguay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXz-erPr8B8
Montevideo city:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-6MRloWJis
Aguas dulces y Barra de Valizas (Rocha Department)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRb3iw-0R0U
Piriapolis (Maldonado department)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8a-OFQiw0U
Colonia del sacramento (colonia department)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK4WoNWcUVM
Cabo Polonio (Rocha department)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD23fioJjrM
Punta del Este (Maldonado department)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emDRIMyBQ_c
Villa Serrana (Lavalleja department)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP6a8Lj05oQ
- Content contributed by Cristhian Lemos Rocha
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