A few surprising facts about Uruguay.
One of the smallest countries in South America is often overshadowed by its more popular neighbors. But in vain! Here you can enjoy juicy steaks and flavorful Yerba mate in Argentina, and beaches that will satisfy even pampered by the sun of Brazilians. But in and of itself Uruguay is full of surprises and willingly breaks the stereotypes about the typical Latin American country.
Uruguay became the first and only cause of the war between Brazil and Argentina
And the result of that war gained independence. Of course, none of the belligerent countries was aimed at the liberation of Uruguay (at the time — the Brazilian province Cisplatina). But a protracted three-year war had exhausted the enemy forces and led to the establishment in 1828 of a new state on the principle of “do not get you to anybody”.
Uruguay — not in the tropics
Uruguay is the only country in Latin America, situated entirely outside the tropics. The climate of the capital of Montevideo can be roughly compared to Sochi: winter +10-12 °C, wind, occasionally freezing, frost.
Here are four times more cows than people
In a country with a population of just 3.4 million people, per capita is almost four cows. Cattle is the most important and lucrative part of the economy of the country, so farmers have to strictly follow the quality: a few years ago, Uruguay has introduced an innovative system of indiscriminate marking of cattle with electronic chips. Now every consumer can track the entire path of your steak from a native farm to table.
Uruguay as the “Switzerland of South America”
However, it’s not the climate and not cows, and in a very advanced social policy. One of the first on the continent, Uruguay began to implement the concept of the welfare state and achieved considerable success. For example, in 2009 Uruguay became the first country in the world that has provided every student a free laptop and Internet access. And in 2015, the government began to distribute (at their own expense!) tablets and even retirees.
In Uruguay don’t celebrate Christmas
Uruguay, where Catholicism is professed by less than half the population, renamed the traditional Catholic holidays. So, Christmas has turned into a family Day, the Epiphany (Feast of three kings) — children’s Day and Holy week and Easter — a Week of tourism.
Here legalized marijuana
In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world, which allowed the production, sale and consumption of marijuana. Yes, there’s a country ahead of the Netherlands, where the practice is significantly at odds with rather strict laws, and some States where marijuana is allowed for medical, but not recreational purposes. However, legalization in Uruguay applies only to citizens, foreigners enjoy these freedoms by law can not.
The ex-President of Uruguay earned the title of the poorest President of the planet
Jose Mujica, President of Uruguay from 2010 to 2015, monthly give away 90% of his salary to charity, refused to move from his farm in his official residence, all years went to work on the old “beetle”. This lifestyle, coupled with brave political decisions made him a superstar in the political arena of Latin America. And for the signing of the law on the legalization of marijuana Mujica was nominated for the Nobel peace prize.
Uruguay is the least corrupt country in Latin America
According to the international organization against corruption Transparency International, Uruguay at least the last five years confidently holds the position of the country with the lowest crime rate on the continent. In the world rankings in 2016 Uruguay located on 21-m a place, between Japan and Estonia (the lower the level of corruption, the higher place in the rating). Moreover, the country ranks first in the region democratic regime, quality of life, the freedom of the press, size of the middle class, working e-government, prosperity and security.
Uruguay — venue of the first soccer world Cup
Uruguay, at that time, two-time Olympic champion in football, was chosen to host the first world championship under the auspices of FIFA in 1930. This choice was for FIFA is not very good: send command so far was expensive, so the European countries were not eager to participate. In the end, for the title of world champion fought a total of 13 teams, is the smallest number of participants in its history.
The national anthem of Uruguay is the longest in the world
The national anthem of Uruguay with a sonorous name “Uruguayans, the Fatherland or the grave!” contains 11 verses in the full version lasts about five minutes. Why not? They definitely have something to be proud of!
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