Overview
Uruguay, officially known as the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, is a country located in the Southern Cone region of South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the west and southwest and Brazil to the north and northeast, with the Río de la Plata forming its southern boundary and the Atlantic Ocean lying to the southeast. Covering an area of approximately 176,215 square kilometers (68,037 square miles), Uruguay is one of the smaller countries on the South American continent.
Population and Geography
Uruguay has a population of almost 3.5 million people. A significant portion of the country's inhabitants—nearly 2 million—live in the metropolitan area surrounding Montevideo, the nation's capital and largest city. This concentration of population in and around the capital reflects the broader pattern of urbanization found throughout the country.
Its geographic position gives Uruguay a distinctive character within South America. Sharing land borders with two of the continent's largest nations, Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay occupies a strategic location along the Río de la Plata estuary and the South Atlantic coastline.
Regional Context
Uruguay is classified as part of the Southern Cone, a subregion of South America that also includes Argentina and Chile. This region is generally characterized by temperate climates and closer historical and cultural ties to European immigration patterns compared to other parts of the continent.
Key Facts
- Official name: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
- Continent: South America
- Area: Approximately 176,215 square kilometers (68,037 square miles)
- Population: Almost 3.5 million people
- Capital and largest city: Montevideo
- Borders: Argentina (west and southwest), Brazil (north and northeast), Río de la Plata (south), Atlantic Ocean (southeast)