Country of the Week: Uruguay Uruguay is a small country located between Argentina and Brazil. Uruguay is one of the smallest city, Montevideo BASIC countries in South America. — mon-tay- It looks even smaller next to its large vih-DAY-oh. neighbors. What large countries are next This beautiful to Uruguay? (Brazil, the biggest country in city is located 12 South America, and Argentina, the second close to where biggest.) But Uruguay has great farmland an important river, the Rio de la Plata, for raising cattle, rice, and soybeans. South empties into the ocean. From the map, American cowboys still work on some big which ocean is this? (The Atlantic Ocean.) cattle farms in Uruguay. These cowboys, Montevideo is also the country’s capital. like the one you see here, are called gauchos President Tabaré Vazquez — tah-bah-REY — GOW-chohs. Have you ever heard of VAHS-kehz — was elected in 2014. Uruguay gauchos? About 3.4 million people live in is number one in Latin America for peace, Uruguay. More than 1.9 million of these democracy, and a good quality of life. Does people live in or near the country’s largest it seem like a good place to live? NEXT GENERAL Uruguay is a small country of them live in or near Montevideo — mon- tucked in between the two tay-vih-DAY-oh. Montevideo’s position largest countries in South America. What where the Río de la Plata empties into the countries does Uruguay border? (Brazil Atlantic Ocean makes it an important port. and Argentina.) Both these countries once This city regularly ranks near the top of controlled the land now known as Uruguay, international lists for cleanliness, beauty, as did Spain and Portugal. All these and safety. Would you like to visit this nations wanted this tiny country’s rich city? Montevideo is also the nation’s natural resources. Much of the country’s capital, where President Tabaré Vazquez cattle are raised on Uruguay’s interior — tah-bah-REY VAHS-kez — heads the lowlands. What are lowlands? (Flat, low- government. He became president in lying plains.) Some large cattle ranches are 2015 and also served as president from still worked by cowboys called gauchos, 2005 to 2010. He has worked hard to like the one you see here. These ranches lower poverty and improve education. have helped Uruguay to become a major Today, Uruguay ranks number one in exporter of beef and wool. The country’s Latin America for democracy, lack of farmers also grow soybeans, rice, wheat, corruption, prosperity, and quality of life. and other crops in the lowlands. Do you think the president deserves a Uruguay’s population is slightly more lot of credit for these successes? NEXT than 3.4 million people. About 1.9 million ADVANCED Tucked in between Brazil Plata, with Argentina. These rivers are and Argentina is Uruguay, vital for transporting goods to ports on the the second-smallest country in South Atlantic, including the country’s largest America. Can you guess the smallest? city and capital, Montevideo. Uruguay’s (Suriname.) Although Uruguay only has major crops include soybeans, wheat, and about 3.4 million people, it is very important rice. These exports, and the country’s to South America — so much so that thriving plastics industry, give Uruguay Spain, Portugal, Brazil, and Argentina have the best GDP in South America. What all tried to control it in the last 200 years. does GDP mean? (Gross domestic product.) From the map, can you guess one reason Uruguay also ranks first in Latin America Uruguay is so important? (Access to the for literacy, safety, democracy, lack of Atlantic Ocean.) The country’s lowlands corruption, and income equality. President are ideal for raising livestock, making it Tabaré Vazquez — tah-bah-REY VAHS-kez one of the top beef-exporting countries — became president for the second time in in the region. Gauchos, like the one you 2015. He is a leftist who has worked hard see here, still work the large ranches in to lower poverty and improve education Uruguay’s interior. What are gauchos? and working standards in Uruguay. Do (South American cowboys.) Uruguay also you think his policies are responsible for shares several important rivers, such as Uruguay’s comparatively high quality of the Uruguay River and the Rio de la life? Why or why not? NEXT 12 NewsCurrents Week of February 22, 2016 Copyright 2016 Knowledge Unlimited Country of the Week: Uruguay (cont'd) Uruguay was the “River of Painted Birds” to the Guarani Indians. The word “Uruguay” comes just a few BASIC from an Indian language called years later, Guarani — gwah-rah-NEE. The name so Uruguay means “river of the painted birds.” This is had to win a beautiful name for a beautiful country. its freedom Beaches like the one in the big picture are again. Do you 13 very important for the people of Uruguay. think this is a source of pride for Why would this be so? (Tourists come for Uruguayans? They are also proud of their beaches like this; many Uruguayans work country’s soccer team. Uruguay is the in tourist hotels and resorts.) smallest nation to ever win the world’s Uruguay’s national hero is José Gervasio biggest soccer tournament. What is this Artigas — hoh-ZAY hare-vah-SEE-oh arr- tournament? (The World Cup, held every TEE-gahs. He was a soldier who helped four years.) Uruguay won the World Cup in free Montevideo from the Spanish in 1811. 1930, and again in 1950. END Troops from Brazil invaded Montevideo GENERAL Uruguay’s official name is Uruguay has a thriving tourist industry. “La República Oriental del Why? People are drawn to lovely beaches Uruguay.” The word “oriental” here means like the one in the large picture. Tourists “eastern.” This is because there is another also come to Montevideo to learn about the South American country with a similar country’s history. This city features many name and a similar background, which statues of Uruguay’s national hero, José lies to the west. What nation is this? Gervasio Artigas — hoh-ZAY hare-vah- (Paraguay.) The Guarani — gwah-rah-NEE SEE-oh arr-TEE-gahs. In 1811, he led the — Indians settled much of this part of fight to free Uruguay from the Spanish. South America. In the Guarani language, Troops from Brazil invaded Montevideo “Uruguay” means “river of the painted just a few years later, so Uruguay had birds,” and “Paraguay” means “large river.” to win its freedom again, becoming fully What do you think the syllable “guay” independent in 1828. Today, one of the means in the Guarani language? (“River.”) country’s greatest sources of pride is its The only inhabitants of Uruguay before the soccer team. What is soccer called in Europeans colonized the area were people South America? (Futbol.) Uruguay is from a small tribe called the Charrua. But the smallest country to ever win soccer’s today very few Uruguayans are of native World Cup, which it won in 1930 and descent. Most Uruguayans are descended again in 1950. What do you find most from Spanish and Italian settlers. interesting about Uruguay? END ADVANCED Uruguay’s name comes historical features. One of the most famous from an Indian language landmarks in Montevideo is the “Puerta de called Guarani — gwah-rah-NEE. It la Ciudadela,” or “Door of the Old City.” translates to “river of the painted birds.” This monument portrays José Gervasio What other nation in South America has Artigas — the father of Uruguayan a similar-sounding name? (Paraguay’s independence. In 1811, he led the fight name means “Large River” in Guaraní.) The to free Uruguay from Spain. Troops from only inhabitants of Uruguay before the Brazil invaded Montevideo just a few years arrival of the Europeans were the Charrua later, so Uruguay had to win its freedom people, a small tribe driven south by the again, becoming fully independent in 1828. Guaraní. Today, only about 6 percent of Uruguay is the smallest nation to ever win the people are partly Native American. soccer’s World Cup, triumphing in 1930 More than 90 percent of the people are of and 1950. The team is nicknamed “La European descent, mostly Spanish and Celeste,” the Spanish word for the color Italian. About 4 percent are African. of their uniforms. What color is this? Uruguay’s reputation as one of the (Sky blue.) This color, which symbolizes safest countries in the world has helped freedom and independence, can also be its tourism industry. People are drawn seen on the country’s flag. Why do you to its miles of white sand beaches, as think this is such important symbolism you see here, as well as the country’s for the country? END Copyright 2016 Knowledge Unlimited NewsCurrents Week of February 22, 2016 13