World Factbook
Uruguay
República Oriental del Uruguay
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper-left corner has a yellow sun with a human face (outlined in black) known as the Sun of May, with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy meaning: the stripes represent the country's nine original departments; the sun refers to the legend of the sun breaking through the clouds on 25 May 1810 as independence was declared from Spain; the sun is said to be Inti, the Inca god of the sun
note: the banner was inspired by the national colors of Argentina and the design of the US flag
Capital
name
Montevideo
etymology
the origin of the name is disputed but refers to a hill or mountain ( monte ); one theory combines the Spanish word monte (mountain) with the Latin video (I see)
time difference
UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
34 51 S, 56 10 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
3-5 years
Constitution
history
several previous; latest approved by plebiscite 27 November 1966, effective 15 February 1967, reinstated in 1985 at the conclusion of military rule
amendment process
initiated by public petition of at least 10% of qualified voters, proposed by agreement of at least two fifths of the General Assembly membership, or by existing "constitutional laws" sanctioned by at least two thirds of the membership in both houses of the Assembly; proposals can also be submitted by senators, representatives, or by the executive power and require the formation of and approval in a national constituent convention; final passage by either method requires approval by absolute majority of votes cast in a referendum
Country name
former
Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province
etymology
name derives from the Uruguay River, which makes up the western border of the country; the river's name comes from the Guarani words uru (bird) and guay (tail)
local long form
República Oriental del Uruguay
local short form
Uruguay
conventional long form
Oriental Republic of Uruguay
conventional short form
Uruguay
Independence
25 August 1825 (from Brazil)
Legal system
civil law system based on the Spanish civil code
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 5 judges)
subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal; District Courts (Juzgados Letrados); Peace Courts (Juzgados de Paz); Rural Courts (Juzgados Rurales)
judge selection and term of office
judges nominated by the president and appointed by two-thirds vote in joint conference of the General Assembly; judges serve 10-year terms, with reelection possible after a lapse of 5 years following the previous term
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the General Assembly
chief of state
President Yamandú ORSI Martínez (since 1 March 2025)
election results
2024: Yamandú ORSI Martínez elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Yamandú ORSI Martínez (FA) 46.2%, Álvaro Luis DELGADO Ceretta (PN) 28.2%, Andrés OJEDA Ojeda Spitz (PC) 16.9%, other 8.7%; percent of vote in second round - Yamandú ORSI Martínez 52.1%, Álvaro Luis DELGADO Ceretta 47.9% 2019: Luis Alberto LACALLE POU elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Daniel MARTINEZ (FA) 40.7%, Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (PN) 29.7%, Ernesto TALVI (Colorado Party) 12.8%, Guido MANINI RIOS (Open Cabildo) 11.3%, other 5.5%; percent of vote in second round - Luis Alberto LACALLE POU 50.6%, Daniel MARTINEZ 49.4%
head of government
President Yamandú ORSI Martínez (since 1 March 2025)
most recent election date
27 October 2024, with a runoff on 24 November 2024
election/appointment process
president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute-majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for nonconsecutive terms)
expected date of next election
28 October 2029, with a runoff, if needed, on 25 November 2029
National holiday
Independence Day, 25 August (1825)
National color(s)
blue, white, yellow
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Historic City of Colonia del Sacramento; Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape; The work of engineer Eladio Dieste: Church of Atlántida
Political parties
Broad Front or FA (Frente Amplio) - (a broad governing coalition that comprises 34 factions including Popular Participation Movement or MPP, Uruguay Assembly, Progressive Alliance, Broad Social Democratic Space, Socialist Party, Vertiente Artiguista, Christian Democratic Party, Big House, Communist Party, The Federal League, Fuerza Renovadora) Colorado Party or PC (including Batllistas and Ciudadanos) Intransigent Radical Ecologist Party (Partido Ecologista Radical Intransigente) or PERI Independent Party National Party or PN (including Todos (Everyone) and National Alliance) Open Cabildo Popular Unity
Legislative branch
legislature name
General Assembly (Asamblea General)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay)
history
adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as "Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!" ("Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!"); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); usually only the first verse and chorus are sung
lyrics/music
Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI
National symbol(s)
Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)
Administrative divisions
19 departments ( departamentos , singular - departamento ); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandú, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San José, Soriano, Tacuarembó, Treinta y Tres
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Cámara de Representantes)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
99 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
10/27/2024
expected date of next election
October 2029
percentage of women in chamber
31.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Broad Front (FA) (48); National Party (PN) (29); Colorado Party (PC) (17); Other (5)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Cámara de Senadores)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
31 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
10/27/2024
expected date of next election
October 2029
percentage of women in chamber
32.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Broad Front (FA) (16); National Party (PN) (9); Colorado Party (PC) (5)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 331-8142
chancery
1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone
[1] (202) 331-1313
chief of mission
Ambassador Daniel CASTILLOS Gómez (since 5 September 2025)
consulate(s) general
Miami, New York, San Francisco
email address and website
urueeuu@mrree.gub.uy https://embassyofuruguay.us/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[+598] 1770-2128
embassy
Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200
telephone
(+598) 1770-2000
mailing address
3360 Montevideo Place, Washington DC 20521-3360
chief of mission
Ambassador Lou RINALDI (since 30 September 2025)
email address and website
MontevideoACS@state.gov https://uy.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction