Uruguay is one of the most prosperous Latin American countries. Here, of course, there is also a local flavor, as in neighboring Argentina, but still this country is often called “Latin American Switzerland”. The secret of Uruguay’s well-being is simple – this country acts as the center of banking operations in its entire region.
Uruguay received its name in honor of the nearby river. “Uruguay” is translated from the language of the Guarani Indians, as “a river of colorful birds.”
The motto of the state is “Freedom or death!”.
Uruguay is the smallest country in Latin America.
Uruguay became the first Latin American country to legislatively ban smoking in closed public places. The violator will have to pay a fine in excess of 1000 dollars.
Schoolchildren in Uruguay are given laptops for training.
The most popular sport is football. Team Uruguay several times became the world champion in this sport.
In Uruguay there is a major supply of fresh water in the whole of South America.
“Lying policemen” on the Uruguayan roads are concave, not bulging. Movement on almost all city streets is one-way.
Violation of traffic rules in a state of intoxication is considered a mitigating circumstance.
Uruguayan employers are waiting for a fine if they detain employees in the workplace after 17:00.
Uruguayan doctors consider Coca-Cola soda as a drug and recommend it to their patients with gastritis.
Causing harm to dogs, including stray dogs, in Uruguay is a violation of the law. Many dogs that do not have owners are sent for training so that they become hunting dogs.
In Uruguay, free medicine for both locals and tourists. Exceptions are dentists, for a visit to which you will have to pay.
Until 1992, dueling was legalized in Uruguay – rivals were only required to obtain permission from the officials.
Every year in June, the country hosts a large-scale Festival of Tango, designed to popularize Uruguay as the birthplace of this incendiary dance.
Uruguay maintains the world championship in the use of mate tea – this drink regularly consumes more than 80% of the inhabitants of the country.
In the capital of the state, Montevideo, is the tallest building in South America – Palacio Salvo Palace rises 26 floors.
It is dangerous for Uruguayans to leave their dwelling unattended for long periods of time – if someone moves into a house, and no one expels him from there within a month, he can formalize the property into property. For example, not far from Montevideo there is an abandoned hotel worth more than half a million dollars, which was visited by several homeless people, and now the owner of the building can do nothing with him.
Before the coming of the new year, Uruguayans say goodbye to the old – they tear and throw calendars out of the windows.
The title of the homeland of tango in Uruguay is disputed by Argentina.
