Much of Uruguay is occupied by vast grasslands that become marshes towards the Atlantic coast. The rest of the landscape is crossed by narrow and elongated hill chains that in the eastern part end with the renowned Punta del Este. The most important river is the Uruguay, which together with the Paraná forms the estuary of the Rio de la Plata.
The climate of Uruguay is temperate and humid. Numerous species of flowers dominate the grasslands, including a particular small purple flower, so widespread that Uruguay is often called the “Purple Land.” Along the coastal strip, we find pines and eucalyptus trees to contain the advance of the sand.
The wildlife lacks wild animals; mammals such as deer, otters, wild pigs, foxes, wild cats, armadillos, and various types of rodents are more common. The birdlife is particularly rich, including aquatic birds such as swans, cranes, storks, white herons, and ducks, and non-aquatic birds like vultures, owls, wild turkeys, quails, partridges, and hummingbirds. Among the reptiles, we find alligators along the rivers.
Uruguay Profile
- Country: Eastern Republic of Uruguay
- Area: 176,215 Km²
- Capital: Montevideo
- Population: 3,415,920 inhabitants
- Language: Spanish
- Religion: majority are Catholic
- Form of Government: presidential republic
- Main Cities: Montevideo, Punta del Este, Rivera, Salto, San Jose
Useful information about Uruguay
- Currency: Uruguayan Peso (1 euro = 29 UYU)
- International dial code: +598
- International license plate: ROU
- Driving side: right
- Entry documents: Passport
- Required vaccination: NN
- Electric current: 220V, 50Hz
- Unit of measurement: metric decimal
- Time zone: – 4 hours compared to Italy
- Fixed-date holidays: January 1st: New Year’s Day; March-April: Good Friday; March-April: Easter; March-April: Easter Monday; May 1st: Labor Day; May 8th: Anniversary of the Battle of Las Piedras; July 18th: Constitution Day; August 25th: Independence Day; October 12th: Columbus Day; December 25th: Christmas; December 26th: St. Stephen’s Day
- Climate: temperate climate, since summers (which correspond to our winters) are warm but not sultry, although humid, and winters are never excessively cold, with widespread rainfall throughout the year.
- Average temperatures: The annual average temperature is 17.5 °C. The hottest month is January with an average temperature of 32 °C while the coldest is June with an average of 6 °C
- Transport: National airline Pluna; others operating flights to and from Uruguay: Iberia with direct flights, while Alitalia, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and others with a stopover in Buenos Aires
- Airports: Montevideo International
