Uruguay
Uruguay: Travel tips, articles, photos, gallery, cities database, population, pics, flags, statistics, free maps online
Back to Countries, Click to read the whole article: Uruguay
Introduction - Uruguay: | Country | Uruguay | | Background | Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century established widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguays president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguays political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent. | |
|
Location - Uruguay: | People - Uruguay: | Government - Uruguay: | Economy - Uruguay: | Communications - Uruguay: | Transportation - Uruguay: | Military - Uruguay: |
This page was last updated on 16 September, 2007 Source: CIA >>> |