Industrial and commercial South America

Uruguay, still occasionally called the Banda Oriental (the land east of the Uruguay River), is the smallest Republic of South America.

Area, Population, Boundary

Area. With an area of 72,172 square miles, Uruguay is larger than New England.

Population. The country has now about 1,500,000 inhabitants.

Boundary. Uruguay is nearly surrounded by water, having the Atlantic Ocean for 120 miles on the east. The river or estuary of La Plata 235 miles on the south, and the Uruguay 270 miles on the west, both separate the country from Argentina; on the north and east between Uruguay and Brazil three rivers and Lake Mirím form the boundary most of the way, with the Santa Hills for some distance.

History

In 1512 the explorer, Juan de Solis, entered the gulf-like River Plata and landed upstream, 70 miles beyond Montevideo. Here were found Charrúa Indians, accounted by the Guaranís rather ferocious. On his next visit, 1515-16, Juan de Solis was slain by them with all his party that had gone on shore. It was many years later that permanent settlements were made in this region by Portuguese or Spaniards and not until 1726 was the city of Montevideo founded by Spaniards. In 1777 a rival Portuguese settlement was driven out by General Zavala of Buenos Aires. Subsequent to 1750 Montevideo was independent of Buenos Aires. After the Junta was formed in that city in 1810 the Spanish Viceroy for a short time had his seat at Montevideo; but the people soon became eager for independence. Under Artigas they waged war for years against the Spanish, the Portuguese, and also the Porteños of Buenos Aires. When in 1824 the power of Spain was finally destroyed in Peru, Uruguay alone was not independent. Accordingly a refugee in Buenos Aires, Lavalleja, with others, 33 in all (Treinta y Tres, a popular name in Uruguay), set out from Argentina, crossed the Uruguay River, gained adherents, captured Dolores, and August 25, 1825, established a government at Florida. In August, 1828, after many struggles Brazil and Argentina both acknowledged the independence of Uruguay; and May, 1829, Lavalleja entered Montevideo. In 1830 the Assembly elected Rivera President, after which Lavalleja tried to overthrow the Government. Under the second President, Uribe, one of the 33, a battle occurred when the colors red and white were used by the opposing parties, from which date the two parties: Red, Colorados, party of Rivera; Whites, Blancos, of Uribe and Lavalleja. Strife continued, the deaths of the leaders making no difference to the factions, and the parties continuing to the present with these names. In February, 1865, Flores, who had secured the support of Brazil, became dictator, but Paraguay having been previously asked to interfere continued the fight. Flores was assassinated, in 1868 occurred a terrible visitation of cholera, and in ’69 a financial crisis that ruined thousands. Troubles continued; until within the last few years no President has had an entirely peaceful term. In view of this fact the development and prosperity of the country has been remarkable.

Government

The government of the country is that of a centralized republic with the usual divisions; the President is elected for four years and not eligible for reëlection. The new Constitution which began to operate March 1, 1920, is unusually radical in character, a tendency observed in Uruguay some years ago. The Executive Power is shared by the President and a National Commission of nine members elected by the people. Some Members of the Cabinet are appointed by the President, others by the Commission. Congress elects the members of the Supreme Court, approves or rejects treaties. Bills may be presented to either Chamber by Cabinet Members, who may take part in deliberations or be summoned by a vote of one third to answer questions. A permanent committee, two Senators and five Deputies, represents Congress when it is not in session, and has power to convoke it.

The 19 Departments or States with approximate area, population, and capitals, beginning at the northwest, are given on the preceding page.

Population

The population of Uruguay, about 1,500,000, is practically of the Caucasian race with slight intermixture of Indian and Negro. The Indian tribes previously inhabiting the country were mostly exterminated, a few departing into adjoining regions, a few of the milder tribes being absorbed by their conquerors. In the north are some negroes near the Brazilian border and some of mixed blood. More than any other country of South America Uruguay is inhabited by a homogeneous white population.

Education

A fine educational system has been developed, with primary and graded schools throughout the country, so that hardly more than 25 per cent of the population is illiterate. Primary education is free and obligatory. In the Capital is a well equipped University with the usual Departments, including Engineering and Architecture; a School of Arts and Trades, kindergartens, and two Normal Schools; six of the latter are found in other cities. In the suburb of Montevideo is a School of Agriculture; four model farms are located at Colonia, Salto, Paysandú, and Cerro Largo.

Press, Religion, etc.

The Press is of high character with a number of good papers in Montevideo, and some in other cities.

The Religion, of course, is Roman Catholic, although there is no State Church. Complete toleration exists for other forms of worship.

Telegraph, etc. The Government has about 4800 miles of telegraph lines and four wireless stations. Wireless is compulsory on all steamers visiting Uruguayan ports. Telephones belonging to two private companies are likely to be taken over by the Government; 19 towns have this convenience.

Money. The gold standard was long ago adopted, but no gold was coined and no bullion is carried by the State. In spite of this we have the curious fact that the paper peso is equivalent to gold, and in ordinary times to $1.034 of our money; though unhappily when once I received some of the bills here, exchange being normal, I could obtain but 90 cents on the dollar for them. One broker even offered me 80 cents. Subsidiary coins are of silver and nickel, and a silver dollar is carried at par. The credit of Uruguay is obviously excellent, and its bonds are often above par.

Weights and Measures according to the metric system are obligatory. The importation even of other weighing apparatus is forbidden.

Physical Characteristics

Uruguay is roughly a right-angled triangle in shape, its apex at the northwest, the western boundary line nearly perpendicular, the south side almost at right angles with it, and the Brazilian boundary the hypothenuse; with a little extra piece at the southeast bordering on the Atlantic. For the most part a gently rolling country well suited to agriculture as for cattle raising, it slopes towards the east, west, and south; having rougher and higher land at the north, where the greatest elevation is a little above 2000 feet. A central cross depression is the Valley of the Rio Negro. The perimeter of Uruguay measures 1148 miles, of which 668 are on the ocean or large rivers. The country is well supplied with rivers, some of which are navigable. Besides the Plata and Uruguay, there are the Negro, Tacuará, Cebollati, Climar, and the Yaguarón; also Lake Mirím. Besides Mirím on the Brazilian border there are a few lakes along the ocean front; a few islands lie off the coast. The country differs from the Argentine campo in having plenty of stone.

Climate

Extending from 30° to 35° South Latitude with no considerable elevation and being close to the sea, Uruguay naturally has a temperate climate with no great variation over its limited area. The temperature generally ranges from 40° to 90°. There is sufficient rainfall, about 40 inches, and the country is well watered. Its coast offers agreeable places for summer resorts, which are patronized both by natives and by Argentines. The country in general has a particularly salubrious climate, 244 sunny days, it is said, in the year.