______________________________
URUGUAY
@Uruguay:Geography
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean,
between Argentina and Brazil
Map references: South America
Area:
total area: 176,220 sq km
land area: 173,620 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Washington State
Land boundaries: total 1,564 km, Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km
Coastline: 660 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 200 nm; overflight and navigation guaranteed beyond
12 nm
International disputes: short section of boundary with Argentina is in
dispute; two short sections of the boundary with Brazil are in dispute
- Arroyo de la Invernada (Arroio Invernada) area of the Rio Cuareim
(Rio Quarai) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Cuareim (Rio
Quarai) and the Uruguay River
Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
Natural resources: soil, hydropower potential, minor minerals
Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 78%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: 1,100 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: substantial pollution from Brazilian industry along
border; one-fifth of country affected by acid rain generated by
Brazil; water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate
solid/hazardous waste disposal
natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and
occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas),
droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as
weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid
changes in weather fronts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed,
but not ratified - Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
@Uruguay:People
Population: 3,222,716 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (female 392,262; male 409,580)
15-64 years: 63% (female 1,026,314; male 995,492)
65 years and over: 12% (female 233,377; male 165,691) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.74% (1995 est.)
B
|