Country name
conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
conventional short form: Uruguay
local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay
local short form: Uruguay

Data code UY

Government type republic

National capital Montevideo

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

Independence 25 August 1825 (from Brazil)

National holiday Independence Day, 25 August (1825)

Constitution 27 November 1966, effective February 1967, suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30 November 1980; two constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997

Legal system based on Spanish civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch
chief of state: President Julio Maria SANGUINETTI (since 1 March 1995) and Vice President Hugo BATALLA (since 1 March 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; the vice-president is also the Senate president
head of government: President Julio Maria SANGUINETTI (since 1 March 1995) and Vice President Hugo BATALLA (since 1 March 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; the vice-president is also the Senate president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held 31 October 1999 with run-off election if necessary on 28 November 1999)
election results: Julio Maria SANGUINETTI elected president; percent of vote - 23%

Legislative branch bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held 31 October 1999); Chamber of Representatives - last held 27 November 1994 (next to be held 31 October 1999)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - Colorado 36%, Blanco 34%, Encuentro Progresista 27%, New Sector 3%; seats by party - Colorado 11, Blanco 10, Encuentro Progresista 8, New Sector 1; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Colorado 32%, Blanco 31%, Encuentro Progresista 31%, New Sector 5%; seats by party - Colorado 32, Blanco 31, Encuentro Progresista 31, New Sector 5

Judicial branch Supreme Court, judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly

Political parties and leaders National (Blanco) Party, Alberto VOLONTE Berro; Herrerista faction of the Blanco Party, Luis LACALLE; Colorado Party, Julio M. SANGUINETTI, Jorge BATLLE; Broad Front Coalition, Tabare VAZQUEZ (until 28 September 1997); New Sector Coalition, Rafael MICHELINI; Progressive Encounter (Encuentro Progresista), Tabare VAZQUEZ
note: Hugo BATALLA and host of People's Government Party (PGP) have rejoined the Colorado Party

International organization participation AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MINUGUA, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Alvaro DIEZ DE MEDINA SUAREZ
chancery: 2715 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316
FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, and New York

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher A. ASHBY
embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo
mailing address: APO AA 34035
telephone: [598] (2) 203 60 61, 408 77 77
FAX: [598] (2) 408 86 11

Flag description nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and 16 rays alternately triangular and wavy

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 Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Uruguay Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.