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GEOGRAPHY
Uruguay
is one of the smallest of the South American republics. It is
bounded to the north by Brazil, to the southeast by the Atlantic,
and is separated from Argentina in the west and south by the River
Uruguay, which widens out into the Rio de la Plata estuary. The
landscape is made up of hilly meadows broken by streams and rivers.
There is a string of beaches along the coast. Most of the country
is grazing land for sheep and cattle. Montevideo, the most southern
point of the nation, accommodates more than half of the population.
About 90% of the land is suitable for agriculture, although only
12% is used in this way. Uruguay is known as the 'Oriental Republic'
because it stands on the eastern bank of the Rio de la Plata.
Location:
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between
Argentina and Brazil
Map
references: South America
total
area: 176,220 sq km
comparative
area: slightly smaller than Washington State
Land
boundaries: total 1,564 km, Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km
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
meadows
and pastures: 78%
Irrigated
land: 1,100 sq km (1989 est.)
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
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