Uruguay occupies a very small area on the world map - only one hundred and eighty thousand square kilometers. This is one of the smallest states located on the territory of South America. Uruguay is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Its population is only three and a half million.
General information
Even despite the small size that Uruguay occupies on the world map, it is considered one of the cleanest, calmest and, most importantly, safe countries on the continent.
The capital of the state is Montevideo. Until the era of Spanish colonization, only Indians from the Charrua tribe lived here. Their peaceful life ended when the Europeans arrived here. And although the Spaniards did not wield a sword here, as was the case in Central America, they nevertheless completely changed the way of life of the natives. For example, they brought horses that no one has seen here. Soon the whole continent learned about Uruguayan horses.
The dispute over this territory between Argentina and Brazil has begun. Andonly in 1828 was a mutual renunciation of claims to Uruguayan lands signed between these two countries. It was at this time that the creation of an independent state was proclaimed. The basis of the Uruguayan people today is not the Charrua Indians, whom the conquistadors exterminated, but the Creoles, the descendants of the colonists. In the second half of the nineteenth century, a stream of immigrants from Europe poured here. They were Italians, Germans, French, Spaniards, Slavs. Today, Uruguay is considered the most Europeanized country in Latin America.
Nature
The Uruguayan landscape is a kind of transitional zone between the Argentine plains and the Brazilian hills. Along its east coast stretches a strip of sandy beaches and marvelous beauty of the lagoons.
In general, the natural conditions of this country are quite monotonous. The climate of Uruguay is mild, warm and moderately humid. Chernozem-like soil prevails on the plains dominating everywhere. This favors the cultivation of cereals and subtropical fruit crops.
The fauna of Uruguay is also amazing. Hundreds of mammals live here, among which there are species of fox, deer, etc. The flora of the country is the national pride of the locals. There is a huge amount of forests, incredibly beautiful beaches, lagoons, dunes and other beautiful natural landscapes. Uruguay is currently a member of the National System of Specially Protected Natural Areas - SNAP.
The best time to visit this Latin American country isperiod from January to April. Tourists from all over the world come here to see the sights of Uruguay, its natural resources and architectural monuments.
Cities and resorts
People tend to come here not only for educational excursions, but also for the sake of relaxation. There are a lot of resorts on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in Uruguay. The most famous of them are Punta Colorada and Punta del Este. The latter consists of a series of snow-white beaches, hotels and inns. And although its population is only ten thousand people, Punta del Este annually receives about half a million tourists.
Active travelers will love cities like Carmelo or Mercedes. Tourists are attracted here by sea fishing, yachting and surfing. For those who prefer urban tourism, it is better to go to Colonia del Sacramento. Uruguay is characterized by monocentrism: the only metropolis is its capital - Montevideo. Other cities are ten times smaller than it. The second largest settlement in Uruguay is S alto with a population of just over one hundred thousand people. It has gained local fame in Ibiza thanks to its vibrant nightlife.
Traveling around Uruguay, many people visit the small town of Tacuarembo. There are a lot of statues, sculptures and monuments here. Every year Tacuarembo hosts a three-day cowboy festival, Homeland of the Gaucho.
Architecture of Uruguay
There are not so many masterpieces of architecture in this country as, for example, in Brazil or Argentina. Nevertheless, travelers can see many monumentsarchitecture. The first buildings in the style of classicism in the country appeared after the founding of the fortress of Montevideo.
The city of Punta del Este is known for its colonial architecture. Here, historical buildings coexist with fashionable modern hotels and luxury villas, which are also considered attractions. One of the most interesting architectural objects of this city is the unique Casapueblo - a complex that can be called a real work of art. This magnificent building is located on the shore of the bay and is considered one of the symbols of the country. The construction project was developed by the Uruguayan painter and sculptor Carlos Paez Vilaro. The construction of Casapueblo lasted thirty-six years.
Capital
The main city of Uruguay - Montevideo dates back to 1726. It was at this time that the Spaniards founded the fortress of the same name here. The old part of the city is a massive building. Here are such famous sights of Uruguay as a fortress, a cathedral, a theater, the parliament building, the New City Hall. The developed infrastructure of the suburbs of Montevideo contributes to beach and resort holidays.
In the capital is the official residence of the head of the country. It is located on Independence Square. The construction of the residence with the original name "Executive Tower" was started in 1965. However, turbulent events in the country prevented it from being completed on time. And only in 2009, the President moved to this building, which is a real monumentcontemporary architecture.
In Montevideo are the main attractions of Uruguay. In the historic district of the capital, tourists can visit the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary and Saints James and Philip. It is better known to the guests of the city as the Cathedral. Montevideo annually receives about six hundred thousand tourists. And in the list of attractions of almost all sightseeing tours, this temple occupies the main position. The foundation of the cathedral was laid in 1790. Built in neoclassical style, it is now considered a national monument of Uruguay.
Fairytale City
Montevideo strikes with a bizarre combination of different architectural styles. It is here that many of the most amazing sights of Uruguay are located, for example, the wonderful gardens and parks of the Prado and Rodo. The National Museum of Fine Arts functions here. Tourists can see here more than six thousand works of Uruguayan and foreign artists. The museum exhibits paintings by Pablo Picasso, Serrano and others. The exhibition includes both classical works and contemporary art.
Palace Salvo
This is another attraction of Uruguay. The Palacio Salvo skyscraper combines a variety of styles: art deco, neo-gothic, neoclassical and eclectic. The structure and decoration of this building are inspired by the Divine Comedy. The palace is the tallest in Uruguay. By the time it was built, it was considered the second skyscraper in South America. The Palacio Salvo has twenty-seven floors. Building height -one hundred meters.
