lorado 11, Blanco 10, Encuentro
Progresista 8, New Sector/Space 1; Chamber of
Representatives--percent of vote by party--Colorado 32%, Blanco 31%,
Encuentro Progresista 31%, New Sector/Space 5%; seats by
party--Colorado 32, Blanco 31, Encuentro Progresista 31, New
Sector/Space 5

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the
president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly

Political parties and leaders: National Party or Blanco [Walter
leader--Gen. Liber SEREGNI]; Progressive Encounter in the Broad Front

International organization participation: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11,
G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,
Mercosur, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA,
RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alvaro DIEZ DE MEDINA SUAREZ
chancery: 2715 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher C. ASHBY
embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo
mailing address: APO AA 34035

Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and
bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper
hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as
the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy

Economy

Economy--overview: Uruguay's small economy benefits from a
favorable climate for agriculture and substantial hydropower
production. The SANGUINETTI government's conservative monetary and
fiscal policies are aimed at reducing inflation; other priorities
include moving toward a more market-oriented economy, completing
reform of the social security system, and increasing investment in
education. Economic performance remains sensitive to conditions in
Argentina and Brazil, largely because more than half of Uruguay's
trade is conducted with its partners in Mercosur (the Southern Cone
Common Market).

GDP: purchasing power parity--$28.4 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 3% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$8,600 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 26%
services: 66