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The name Uruguay originates from the name of the Uruguay River, which itself originates from the Guarani language meaning 'river of the painted birds'.
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The first European explorer to reach Uruguay was Juan Diaz de Solis, in 1516.
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Uruguay's capital city and its largest city is Montevideo.
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Uruguay encompassed an area of 68,037 square miles.
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Uruguay's population is estimated to be more than 3.3 million people.
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The official language of Uruguay is Spanish.
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The only country in South America that is smaller than Uruguay is Suriname.
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Uruguay is Latin America's only country located completely outside of the tropics.
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Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize the marijuana trade, in 2013.
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The only two gold Olympic medals that Uruguay has won are the 1924 and 1928 gold medals for football (soccer).
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Uruguay's monetary unit is the Uruguay peso.
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Major industry in Uruguay includes food processing, transportation equipment, electronic machinery, petroleum products, beverages, chemicals and textiles.
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Major agriculture in Uruguay includes rice, corn, barley, wheat and fishing.
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Major exports from Uruguay include rice, meat, leather products, dairy products, wool and fish.
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Major imports into Uruguay include crude petroleum, automobiles, machinery and chemicals.
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Uruguay's natural resources include hydropower, fisheries, minerals and arable land.
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There are more than 1.4 million people in Uruguay who use the internet.
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Uruguay celebrates its Independence Day in August 25th to celebrate the day in 1825 when it gained its independence from Brazil. On this day the President hoists the Uruguayan flag, a speech is given by the Vice President, followed by an army parade, and it is common to celebrate the art of Uruguay's people.
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Uruguay has the longest national anthem in the world. It has 11 verses, followed by the chorus (after each verse), and 105 bars of music. It lasts about 5 minutes.
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Uruguay's coast is often compared to the Riviera. Uruguay has 500 kilometers of coastline, with beautiful beaches.
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The highest point in Uruguay is Cerro Catedral, at 514 meters.
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Uruguay's longest river is the Rio Negro.
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Uruguayan cowboys are called Gauchos.
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Uruguay's climate is a pleasant one, being warm and temperate.
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Uruguay has one of the highest literacy rates in the world.
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On Uruguay's flag there is a yellow sun in the upper left corner, with a human face.
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