Uruguay /ˈjʊərəɡwaɪ/, officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; Spanish: República Oriental del Uruguay pronounced: [reˈpuβlika oɾjenˈtal del uɾuˈɣwai] is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.3 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area. An estimated 88% of the population are of European descent. Uruguay's only land border is with Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to the north. To the west lies... the Uruguay River and the estuary of the Río de la Plata to the southwest. To the southeast lies the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean. With an area of approximately 176,000 square kilometres , Uruguay is the second-smallest nation in South America by area, after Suriname. Colonia del Sacramento, one of the oldest European settlements in the country, was founded by the Portuguese in 1680. Montevideo was founded by the Spanish in the early 18th century as a military stronghold. Uruguay won its independence in 1811–28 following a three-way struggle between the claims of Spain, Argentina and Brazil.
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| Founded: | August 25, 1825 |
| Capital: | Montevideo |
| Population: | 3,235,549 |
| Official language: | Spanish Language |
| Currency: | Uruguayan peso |
| Area: | 68 sq. mi. |
| GDP: | $28,350,000,000 |
| Form of government: | Republic, Presidential system |
| Also known as: | Eastern Republic of the Uruguay |