Uruguay

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

oo-roo-gui', the smallest country of South America . It lies on the Atlantic coast between the southern extremity of Brazil and the estuary of the Rio de la Plata . It is rudely triangular in form. The area is 72,210 square miles, a little larger than North Dakota . Population in 1908, 1,039,078. The inhabitants are chiefly Catholic, but there is a complete toleration. Spanish is the official language. Montevideo is the capital. There is a university here, giving instruction in law, medicine, and mathematics. There are also several preparatory schools as well as normal schools. The state is spending about $1,000,000 a year on primary education, which has been made obligatory. In 1908, however, over half of the population were classed as unable to read or write. The government is a republic. The legislative power is vested in a parliament of two houses. The president is chosen for four years. Agriculture is the leading industry. The principal crops are wheat, Indian corn, barley, millet, oats, rice, and flax. Grapes, tobacco, and olives are cultivated. Cattle, horses, and sheep are raised on an extensive scale. The chief exports are hides, tallow, meats, corn, yerba mate , wool, rubber, skins, and furs--amounting in all to $35,000,000 a year. The northern portion of the country possesses mines of gold, silver, copper, lead, and coal. Large areas are covered with forests sheltering the deer, otter, wildcat, ounce, wild hog, anteater, and turkey. The country became independent August 27, 1828. STATISTICS. The following statistics are from the latest trustworthy sources: Area, square miles 72,210 Population, 1908 1,039,078 Montevideo 316,000 Illiterates 350,000 Elementary schools 1,902 Pupils enrolled 79,000 Departments 19 Senators 19 Representatives 75 Public revenue $21,000,000 National debt $125,000,000 Imports $34,425,000 Exports $35,102,000 Railroad, miles 1,417 Domestic Animals-- Horses 659,000 Mules 20,000 Cattle 7,029,000 Sheep 18,000,000 Goats 9,000 Swine 52,000 Agricultural Products-- Wheat, bushels 8,000,000 Corn, bushels 4,500,000 Flax, bushels 600,000 Barley, bushels 300,000 Oats, bushels 100,000 Canary seed, pounds 446,000 Wine, gallons 2,297,000