Shooting in Uruguay
The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is located in South America, has an area of 176,220 square kilometers and according to the latest census, conducted in 1996, has 3,151,662 inhabitants. The country borders to the North and Northeast with the Federative Republic of Brazil and to the west with Argentina, bordered by the Uruguay River and further south by the Rio de la Plata. It has an excellent port infrastructure and easy access to the markets of neighboring countries. It is the geographic center of the Mercosur (Southern Common Market created in 1991) composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Montevideo, the capital, is inhabited by 43% of the country’s population. The three branches of government and public enterprises are located there, as well as the administrative headquarters of Mercosur.
Weather
Uruguay is the only South American country located entirely in the temperate zone. The average annual temperature is 17.5°C, varying from 20°C in the northeast, to 16°C in the Atlantic coast. The highest temperatures are registered in January and February and lowest in June and July, depending on the region.
The climate is determined by the latitude and the influence of Atlantic Ocean currents. The warm current from Brazil raises the temperature of the Atlantic coast from late January to early May, the cold current from the Falkland Islands cools the waters from June to September. The effect caused by these two currents determines a average temperature at sea level (Punta del Este) between 8°C and 23°C depending on the time of year. From February to April, the ocean temperature is very pleasant and generally significantly higher than that recorded from June to December, although there is significant variation in the summer.
National Holidays
- January 1st (New Year’s Day)
- May 1st (Labor Day)
- July 18th (Constitution Day)
- August 25th (Independence Day)
- December 25th (Christmas)
Language
The official language is Spanish.
Currency
The currency is Peso Uruguay. You may check the exchange rate for Canadian dollar or other currencies here. US dollars, traveler’s checks, or cash can be exchanged at banks, hotels, and at the National Airport of Carrasco. Debit bankcards can be used on a large ATM network available throughout the country. Credit cards are also widely accepted.
Phone Calls
The international regional code for calling Uruguay is 598, and 2 for Montevideo. Montevideo as well as the rest of the country is covered 100% by digital telephony from private homes and shops to public phones, which in Montevideo work with pre-paid cards that can be bought at most shops, also there are public phones that work with coins.
The people
Throughout its history the county has suffered many migration movements for which the population is conformed of Europeans, Asian, African and Native American descendants, giving it a great nationality and ethnic variety.
At the same time, Uruguay is distinguished for its high literacy rate and for its high percentage of people with tertiary studies. Moreover Uruguayans are well known for their kindness and for their helpful spirit towards visitors.