| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | UYISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | URYISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | MontevideoGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | South AmericaGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | UruguayCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | Oriental Republic of UruguayCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Local name | UruguayCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| 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)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | Presidential republicCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 25 August 1825 (from Brazil)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | Independence Day, 25 August (1825)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | Yamandu ORSI (Pres.)CIA World Leaders [2025] |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | UYUISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | Peso UruguayoISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 19ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Artigas / Canelones / Cerro Largo / Colonia / Durazno / Flores / Florida / Lavalleja / Maldonado / Montevideo / Paysandú / Rivera / Rocha / Río Negro / Salto / San José / Soriano / Tacuarembó / Treinta y TresISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | "Research completed December 1990." Supercedes the 1971 ed. of Area handbook for Uruguay, co-authored by Thomas E. Weil [et al.]. Includes bibliographical references (p. 249-272) and index. Also available in digital form.LoC FRD Country Studies [2026] |
| National symbols | Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay); lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI; 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 sungCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | blue, white, yellowCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: yes; citizenship by descent only: yes; dual citizenship recognized: yes; residency requirement for naturalization: 3-5 yearsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
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)
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
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
