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Uruguay Facts & Worksheets

Uruguay, officially known as the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, is South America's second-smallest country.

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Uruguay, officially known as the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, is South America’s second-smallest country. Uruguay, with Montevideo as the capital and the largest city, is bordered by Brazil and Argentina and lies along the Atlantic Ocean.

See the fact file below for more information on the Uruguay or alternatively, you can download our 19-page Uruguay worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

INTRODUCTION

  • Uruguay was widely praised as an example of political and economic stability for much of the 20th century.
  • The progress of the country stalled during a period of military rule in the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Afterward, however, Uruguay was again viewed as one of the most free countries in South America.

GEOGRAPHY

  • After Suriname, Uruguay is the second-smallest nation in South America.
  • Brazil borders Uruguay to the north, and Argentina borders it to the west.
  • Water forms most of the border of Uruguay. To the southeast is the Atlantic Ocean, including a wide extension of the Atlantic to the south called the Río de la Plata. The Uruguay River serves as the boundary with Argentina. The Cuareim River forms part of the border with Brazil in the north.
  • Río Negro is the largest river system in Uruguay. A dam on this river created the Embalse del Río Negro, which is the country’s largest lake.
  • Uruguay’s highest point is Cerro Catedral at 514 meters tall.
  • Uruguay has warm summers and mild winters, and rainfall is heaviest during the autumn.

HISTORY

  • Charrúa, a group of American Indians, inhabited the Uruguay region hundreds of years ago.
  • In 1516, the Spanish explorers arrived.
  • The Indians were hostile to the newcomers. In addition, the Spanish found no gold or silver in the area. For these reasons, the Spanish chose to not settle the nation.
  • The Spanish called the region the Banda Oriental del Uruguay. The name means the “east bank of the Uruguay River”. Bands of gauchos, or Spanish cowboys, hunted the wild cattle in the area.
  • The Portuguese set up a town in the Banda Oriental in 1680.
  • The Spanish established the city of Montevideo in 1726 and attacked the Portuguese. The Spanish drove out the Portuguese by the late 1770s.
  • Spain’s American colonies began fighting for independence in 1810.
  • People in the Banda Oriental defeated the Spanish. However, Brazil shortly took over the Banda Oriental.
  • After several years of war, the Banda Oriental eventually won independence from Brazil on August 25, 1825. The new country was named Uruguay.
  • Uruguay has since developed into a country with some of the most free political and labor conditions in South America.

ECONOMY

  • The main industry of Uruguay is agriculture, with the majority of the country’s agricultural land dedicated to livestock production. Vast herds of cattle and sheep live on the grasslands. The animals produce beef, wool, leather, and dairy products, and farmers sell these products to other countries. Farmers also grow rice, wheat, soybeans, and grapes. Fishing is another source of food.
  • Most Uruguayans work in services, including banking, communications, and tourism, that contribute to the country’s relatively high standard of living.
  • The factories in Uruguay also produce fuels, chemicals, beverages, machinery, and other goods.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

  • As with neighboring Argentina, most of the locals have ancestors from Spain and Italy who immigrated to the country in the 19th and 20th centuries. Most of the population is Roman Catholic, though a small community of Jews – one of the largest in South America – resides in the capital of Montevideo.
  • Most Uruguayans speak Spanish.
  • Red meat is generally consumed in Uruguay, more so than in most other countries.
  • The most celebrated festival of the country is Carnival, which takes place just before the start of Lent, a Roman Catholic holiday that traditionally involves abstaining from the consumption of meat. The main festivities take place in Montevideo and include costumes, drumming parades, and outdoor theater.
  • Soccer is Uruguay’s most popular sport, and the country is one of the global leaders when it comes to world titles. Basketball, rugby, and boxing additionally draw large crowds.
  • Tango, which originated in Argentina, is the most popular music and dance in Uruguay.

Uruguay Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Uruguay across 19 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Uruguay worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Uruguay, officially known as the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, which is South America’s second-smallest country. Uruguay, with Montevideo as the capital and the largest city, is bordered by Brazil and Argentina and lies along the Atlantic Ocean.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Uruguay Facts
  • Uruguay Acrostic
  • Brochure Page
  • Fast Facts
  • Uruguay Map
  • Significant Events
  • Word Search
  • Pepe Mujica
  • Uruguay Sports
  • More About Uruguay
  • Endorsing Uruguay

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Link will appear as Uruguay Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, August 19, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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