Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Theater is popular and playwrights like Mauricio Rosencof are prominent. The most
renowned painters are the late Juan Manuel Blanes, Pedro Figari and Joaquín Torres Gar-
cía. Sculptors include José Belloni.
Tango is big in Montevideo - Uruguayans claim tango legend Carlos Gardel as a nat-
ive son, and one of the best-known tangos, 'La Cumparsita,' was composed by Uruguay-
an Gerardo Matos Rodríguez. During Carnaval, Montevideo's streets reverberate to the
energetic drumbeats of
candombe,
an African-derived rhythm brought to Uruguay by
slaves from 1750 onwards. On the contemporary scene, several Uruguayan rock bands
have won a following on both sides of the Río de la Plata, including Buitres, La Vela
Puerca and No Te Va Gustar.
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Food & Drink
Uruguayan cuisine revolves around grilled meat.
Parrillas
(restaurants with big racks of
meat roasting over a wood fire) are everywhere, and weekend
asados
(barbecues) are a
national tradition.
Chivitos
(classic Uruguayan steak sandwiches) are hugely popular, as
are
chivitos al plato
(served with fried potatoes instead of bread). Vegetarians often have
to content themselves with the ubiquitous pizza and pasta, although there are a few veg-
gie restaurants lurking about. Seafood is excellent on the coast. Desserts are a dream of
meringue,
dulce de leche
(milk caramel), burnt sugar and custard.
Tap water is OK to drink in most places. Uruguayan wines (especially tannats) are ex-
cellent, and local beers (Patricia, Pilsen and Zillertal) are passable.
Uruguayans consume even more
mate
(a kind of tea-like beverage) than Argentines. If
you get the chance, try to acquire the taste - there's nothing like whiling away an after-
noon with new-found friends passing around the
mate
.
In major tourist destinations such as Punta del Este and Colonia, restaurants charge
cu-
biertos
(cover charges of UR$20 or more). Theoretically these pay for the basket of
bread offered before your meal.
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Environment
Though one of South America's smallest countries, Uruguay is not so small by European
standards. Its area of 176,215 sq km is greater than England and Wales combined, or
slightly bigger than the US state of Florida.
