Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ence and the emergence of a strong national economy based on beef and wool produc-
tion.
In the early 20th century, visionary president José Batlle y Ordóñez introduced such
innovations as pensions, farm credits, unemployment compensation and the eight-hour
work day. State intervention led to the nationalization of many industries, the creation of
others, and a new era of general prosperity. However, Batlle's reforms were largely fin-
anced through taxing the livestock sector, and when exports faltered mid-century, the
welfare state crumbled. A period of military dictatorship began in the early 1970s, during
which torture became routine, and more than 60,000 citizens were arbitrarily detained
before the 1980s brought a return to democratic traditions.
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Culture
The one thing Uruguayans will tell you is that they're
not
anything like their
porteño
cousins across the water. Where Argentines can be brassy and sometimes arrogant,
Uruguayans tend to be more humble and relaxed. Where the former have always been a
regional superpower, the latter have always lived in the shadow of one. Those jokes
about Punta del Este being a suburb of Buenos Aires don't go down so well on this side
of the border. There are plenty of similarities, though: the near-universal appreciation for
the arts, the Italian influence and the gaucho heritage.
Uruguayans like to take it easy and pride themselves on being the opposite of the hot-
headed Latino type. Sunday's the day for family and friends, to throw half a cow on the
parrilla
(grill), sit back and sip some
mate
. The population is well educated. The gap
between rich and poor is much less pronounced than in most other Latin American coun-
tries, although the economic crises of the early 21st century have put a strain on the
middle class.
Population
With 3.3 million people, Uruguay is South America's smallest Spanish-speaking country.
The population is predominately white (88%) with 8% mestizo (people with mixed Span-
ish and indigenous blood) and 4% black. Indigenous peoples are practically nonexistent.
The average life expectancy (76.61 years) is one of Latin America's highest. The literacy
rate is also high, at 98.1%, while population growth is a slow 0.25%. Population density
is roughly 19 people per sq km.
