Uruguay - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 826

Introduction
If, as the saying goes, countries get the government they deserve, then
President José Mujica is a great fit for Uruguay - modest, but sure of himself,
progressive, but totally laidback; it's no wonder that this country is often
referred to as the Switzerland of South America.

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Through misfortune and good times,
Uruguayans maintain their traditionally
laidback and cheerful attitude, and it's
not hard to see why. From the secluded
surfing beaches of the Atlantic coast, to
the rolling pastoral land of the interior
tended by gauchos , or the picturesque
streets of Colonia del Sacramento and the
buzzing nightlife of Montevideo , theirs is
a gem of a nation set between the South
American giants of Brazil and Argentina.
“ Tranquilo” (peaceful) could be Uruguay's
national motto, and, after witnessing
the beauty of the land and the relaxed
kindness of its people, you are unlikely
to be in any hurry to leave.
CHRONOLOGY
Pre-1600 Uruguay is home to the Charrúa Indians, a
hunter-gatherer people hostile to the European invaders.
Early 1600s Spanish settlers introduce cattle to Uruguay
and the gaucho lifestyle of cattle-ranching develops.
1680 The Portuguese establish Colonia del Sacramento as
the first major colony in Uruguay.
1726 The Spanish retaliate by founding Montevideo in an
attempt to cement their power in the region. Their wars
with the Portuguese continue for the next century.
1811 José Artigas begins an independence campaign
against the Spanish, who finally leave Uruguay in 1815, only
for Brazil and Argentina to fight over control of the territory.
1820 Artigas, defeated by the Portuguese, is exiled to
Paraguay, where he stays until his death.
1825 Juan Lavalleja leads the legendary Treinta y Tres
Orientales (a group of 33 revolutionaries) to a major
victory over the Brazilians. Uruguay gains its independence
a year later.
1831 Uruguay's 500 remaining Charrúa are massacred by
the government.
1834-51 Uruguay plunged into civil war pitting the
Colorados against the Blancos, names that have survived
as political parties to this day.
1903-15 President José Batlle y Ordoñez of the Colorado
Party makes sweeping social reforms, effectively making
Uruguay South America's first welfare state.

1950-60s Inflation and political corruption leads to the
stagnation of Uruguay's industries, and social unrest ensues.
1973 The Congress is dissolved and the army takes control
of the government. Twelve years of military dictatorship
ensue.
1984 The military allows free elections to take place.
Colorado Dr Julio Sanguinetti becomes president and holds
o ce until 1989 only to return to power from 1995 until
2000.
2000 Personal possession and use of marijuana is
legalized.
2001 The economic crisis in Argentina leads to a collapse
in the value of the Uruguayan peso; inflation and wide-
spread unemployment ensues.
2009 José Mujica, a former militant leftist taken prisoner
and tortured during the military regime, easily wins the
presidency.
2012 Uruguay becomes the second Latin American country,
after Cuba, to legalize abortion.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
The majority of visitors to Uruguay arrive
via ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia
del Sacramento as an easy day-trip. Those
flying into Uruguay usually arrive at
Montevideo's Aeropuerto de Carrasco
(see p.838); check online for the full list
of airlines flying here ( W aeropuertode
carrasco.com.uy). Those coming by bus
will be dropped at Tres Cruces bus
terminal ( W trescruces.com.uy) in
downtown Montevideo.

WHEN TO VISIT
One of Uruguay's main draws is its
beaches, so it's best to visit from
November to February when it's warm,
although bear in mind that prices in
beach towns soar. Winters in Uruguay
can be downright frigid, with cold wet
air blowing in from the ocean, but you
should still get some sunny days.