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

Geographic coordinates 33 00 S, 56 00 W

Map references South America

Area
total: 176,220 sq km
land: 173,620 sq km
water: 2,600 sq km

Area - comparative slightly smaller than Washington State

Land boundaries
total: 1,564 km
border countries: Argentina 579 km, Brazil 985 km

Coastline 660 km

Maritime claims
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 200 nm; overflight and navigation guaranteed beyond 12 nm

Climate warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Terrain mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

Elevation extremes
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m

Natural resources fertile soil, hydropower, minor minerals, fisheries

Land use
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 77%
forests and woodland: 6%
other: 10% (1997 est.)

Irrigated land 7,700 sq km (1997 est.)

Natural hazards seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which 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 in weather fronts

Environment - current issues substantial pollution from Brazilian industry along border; one-fifth of country affected by acid rain generated by Brazil; water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal

Environment - international agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

NOTE: The information regarding Uruguay on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Uruguay Geography 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Uruguay Geography 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.