2011 Edition

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 Uruguay's 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. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.

Area

176,215 sq km 175,015 sq km 1,200 sq km

total

176,215 sq km

water

1,200 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than the state of Washington

Climate

warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Coastline

660 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Cerro Catedral 514 m

highest point

Cerro Catedral 514 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

party to

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

3.15 cu km/yr (2%/1%/96%) 910 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

910 cu m/yr (2000)

total

3.15 cu km/yr (2%/1%/96%)

Geographic coordinates

33 00 S, 56 00 W

Geography - note

second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising

Irrigated land

2,180 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

1,648 km Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km

border countries

Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km

total

1,648 km

Land use

7.77% 0.24% 91.99% (2005)

arable land

7.77%

other

91.99% (2005)

permanent crops

0.24%

Location

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or edge of continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or edge of continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that 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 from weather fronts

Natural resources

arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish

Terrain

mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

Total renewable water resources

139 cu km (2000)

Age structure

22.2% (male 373,613/female 361,160) 64.1% (male 1,042,163/female 1,078,357) 13.7% (male 180,729/female 272,513) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

22.2% (male 373,613/female 361,160)

15-64 years

64.1% (male 1,042,163/female 1,078,357)

65 years and over

13.7% (male 180,729/female 272,513) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

13.52 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6% (2004)

Death rate

9.58 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent)

Health expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,900 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

9.69 deaths/1,000 live births 10.73 deaths/1,000 live births 8.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

8.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

9.69 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), Portunol, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)

Life expectancy at birth

76.21 years 73.07 years 79.46 years (2011 est.)

female

79.46 years (2011 est.)

total population

76.21 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 98% 97.6% 98.4% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.4% (2003 est.)

male

97.6%

total population

98%

Major cities - population

MONTEVIDEO (capital) 1.633 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

27 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

33.6 years 32 years 35.2 years (2011 est.)

female

35.2 years (2011 est.)

male

32 years

total

33.6 years

Nationality

Uruguayan(s) Uruguayan

adjective

Uruguayan

noun

Uruguayan(s)

Net migration rate

-1.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

3.736 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

3,308,535 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.231% (2011 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 99% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0% of population (2008)

rural

1% of population

total

0% of population (2008)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 14 years 17 years (2008)

female

17 years (2008)

male

14 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.037 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.67 male(s)/female

at birth

1.037 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.89 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

20% 16.1% 25.4% (2009)

female

25.4% (2009)

total

20%

Urbanization

92% of total population (2010) 0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

92% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres

Capital

Montevideo 34 53 S, 56 11 W UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March

geographic coordinates

34 53 S, 56 11 W

name

Montevideo

time difference

UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

27 November 1966; effective 15 February 1967; suspended 27 June 1973; revised 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997

Country name

Oriental Republic of Uruguay Uruguay Republica Oriental del Uruguay Uruguay Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province

conventional long form

Oriental Republic of Uruguay

conventional short form

Uruguay

former

Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province

local long form

Republica Oriental del Uruguay

local short form

Uruguay

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador David NELSON Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 APO AA 34035 [598] (2) 418-7777 [598] (2) 418-8611

chief of mission

Ambassador David NELSON

embassy

Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200

FAX

[598] (2) 418-8611

mailing address

APO AA 34035

telephone

[598] (2) 418-7777

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 [1] (202) 331-8142 Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York San Juan (Puerto Rico)

chancery

1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

chief of mission

Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois

consulate(s)

San Juan (Puerto Rico)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 331-8142

telephone

[1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316

Executive branch

President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010) Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in October 2014) Jose "Pepe" MUJICA elected president; percent of vote - Jose "Pepe" MUJICA 54.8%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 45.2%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval

chief of state

President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Jose "Pepe" MUJICA elected president; percent of vote - Jose "Pepe" MUJICA 54.8%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 45.2%

elections

president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in October 2014)

head of government

President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010)

Flag description

nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy; the stripes represent the nine original departments of Uruguay; the sun symbol evokes the legend of the sun breaking through the clouds on 25 May 1810 as independence was first declared from Spain (Uruguay subsequently won its independence from Brazil) the banner was inspired by the national colors of Argentina and by the design of the US flag

Government type

constitutional republic

Independence

25 August 1825 (from Brazil)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

CAN (associate), CD, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly)

Legal system

civil law system based on the Spanish civil code

Legislative branch

bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; vice president has one vote in the Senate) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Chamber of Senators - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014) Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 16, Blanco 9, Colorado Party 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 50, Blanco 30, Colorado Party 17, Independent Party 2

election results

Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 16, Blanco 9, Colorado Party 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 50, Blanco 30, Colorado Party 17, Independent Party 2

elections

Chamber of Senators - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014)

National anthem

"Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay) Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI 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); generally only the first verse and chorus are sung

lyrics/music

Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI

name

"Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay)

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 August (1825)

National symbol(s)

Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)

Political parties and leaders

Broad Front (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as the Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [Jorge BROVETTO] (a broad governing coalition that includes Movement of the Popular Participation or MPP, New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [Eduardo FERNANDEZ and Reinaldo GARGANO], Communist Party [Eduardo LORIER], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI], and Vertiente Artiguista [Mariano ARANA]); Colorado Party (Foro Batllista) [Pedro BORDABERRY and Julio Maria SANGUINETTI]; National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE and Jorge LARRANAGA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization); Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association); Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization); PIT/CNT (powerful federation of Uruguayan Unions - umbrella labor organization); Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association); Uruguayan Construction League; Uruguayan Network of Political Women Catholic Church; students

other

Catholic Church; students

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

beef, soybeans, cellulose, rice, wheat, lumber, dairy products; fish

Budget

$11.8 billion $12.29 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$12.29 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$11.8 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

20% (31 December 2010) 20% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.33% (31 December 2010 est.) 15.28% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$160.4 million (2010 est.) -$104.7 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$13.95 billion (30 June 2011 est.) $12.25 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

42.4 (2009) 44.8 (1999)

Economy - overview

Uruguay's economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending. Following financial difficulties in the late 1990s and early 2000s, economic growth for Uruguay averaged 8% annually during the period 2004-08. The 2008-09 global financial crisis put a brake on Uruguay's vigorous growth, which decelerated to 2.9% in 2009. Nevertheless, the country managed to avoid a recession and keep positive growth rates, mainly through higher public expenditure and investment, and GDP growth exceeded 8% in 2010.

Electricity - consumption

7.57 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

711.4 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

386.8 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

9.89 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Exchange rates

Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 20.051 (2010) 22.568 (2009) 20.936 (2008) 23.947 (2007) 24.048 (2006)

Exports

$8.069 billion (2010 est.) $6.408 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

beef, soybeans, cellulose, rice, wheat, wood, dairy products; wool

Exports - partners

Brazil 21%, Nueva Palmira Free Zone 10.2%, Argentina 7.5%, Chile 5.5%, Russia 5.3% (2010 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

9.2% 21.4% 69.4% (2010 est.)

agriculture

9.2%

industry

21.4%

services

69.4% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$13,700 (2010 est.) $12,700 (2009 est.) $12,400 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

8.5% (2010 est.) 2.6% (2009 est.) 8.6% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$40.27 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$47.99 billion (2010 est.) $44.24 billion (2009 est.) $43.13 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.3% 32.9% (2009)

highest 10%

32.9% (2009)

lowest 10%

2.3%

Imports

$8.32 billion (2010 est.) $6.677 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude oil (13.4%), refined oil (4.9%), passenger vehicles (3.5%), transportation vehicles (2.7%), vehicles parts (2.2%), cellular phones (2.1%), insecticides (1.7%)

Imports - partners

Brazil 18.6%, Argentina 16.7%, China 13.5%, Venezuela 9.1%, US 8.3%, Russia 4.2% (2010 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

9.5% (2010 est.)

Industries

food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.7% (2010 est.) 7.1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

20% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.637 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

13% 14% 73% (2010 est.)

agriculture

13%

industry

14%

services

73% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$238 million (31 December 2010) $219 million (31 December 2009) $NA (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

40 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

76.6 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

52,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

4,353 bbl/day (November 2010 est.)

Oil - imports

53,110 bbl/day (November 2010 est.)

Oil - production

903 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

20.9% of households (2009)

Public debt

56.3% of GDP (2010 est.) 60.4% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.657 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $8.038 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$16.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $14.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$300 million (2009 est.) $156 million (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$9.1 billion (30 September 2010) $7.7 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of domestic credit

$12.74 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $10.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.944 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.151 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

29.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.7% (2010 est.) 7.3% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

mixture of privately-owned and state-run broadcast media; more than 100 commercial radio stations and about 20 television channels broadcasting; cable TV is available; large number of community radio and TV stations; adopted the hybrid Japanese/Brazilian HDTV standard (ISDB-T) in December 2010 (2010)

Internet country code

.uy

Internet hosts

765,525 (2010)

Internet users

1.405 million (2009)

Telephone system

fully digitalized most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 150 telephones per 100 persons country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

domestic

most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; new nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 150 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

fully digitalized

international

country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

962,200 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.437 million (2010)

Airports

58 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

1

total

9

under 914 m

2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

26 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

20

total

49

under 914 m

26 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 4, passenger/cargo 7, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1 9 (Argentina 2, Denmark 1, Greece 1, Spain 5) 1 (Liberia 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

9 (Argentina 2, Denmark 1, Greece 1, Spain 5)

registered in other countries

1 (Liberia 1) (2010)

total

18

Pipelines

gas 226 km; oil 155 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Montevideo

Railways

1,641 km 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (1,200 km operational) (2010)

total

1,641 km

Roadways

77,732 km 7,743 km 69,989 km (2010)

total

77,732 km

unpaved

69,989 km (2010)

Waterways

1,600 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

771,159 780,932 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

780,932 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

771,159

Manpower fit for military service

649,025 654,903 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

654,903 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

649,025

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

27,564 26,811 (2010 est.)

female

26,811 (2010 est.)

male

27,564

Military branches

Uruguayan Armed Forces: Uruguayan National Army (Ejercito Nacional Uruguaya, ENU), Uruguayan National Navy (Armada Nacional del Uruguay; includes naval air arm, Naval Rifle Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales, Fusna), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Uruguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2010)

Uruguayan Armed Forces

Uruguayan National Army (Ejercito Nacional Uruguaya, ENU), Uruguayan National Navy (Armada Nacional del Uruguay; includes naval air arm, Naval Rifle Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales, Fusna), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Uruguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2010)

Military expenditures

1.6% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; up to 40 years of age for specialists; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies; minimum 6-year education (2009)

Disputes - international

in 2010, the ICJ ruled in favor of Uruguay's operation of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina; the two countries formed a joint pollution monitoring regime; uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border

Illicit drugs

small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs