- 22ff Uruguay
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The Glossary
Uruguay Travel Guide
For a long time, Uruguay used to have been significantly overshadowed by its South American neighbors Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. But not so today. Over the last decade, the country had slowly but surely come out of its shell - buoyed by a still-growing tourism industry that blossomed almost through mere word-of-mouth. Of course, blessed with scenic beaches, tasty cuisine, historic cities, and a booming nightlife, Uruguay is easy to charm tourists.
It is not only Uruguay's tourism that is on the upswing, but its economy as well, with an annual GDP growing at an average rate of seven percent. At present, it ranks 47th in the world among the countries with the highest quality of life. This belies the fact that it is actually the second-smallest nation in the continent.
Beauty in the Rio de la Plata
What is most apparent to visitors to Uruguay is its natural beauty. Bounded by the Atlantic coasts and the Sierra Carape range, the country is known for its numerous beaches and climbing-ripe hills. Trekkers and beach junkies can always find something to do in places like Punta del Este, Montevideo, Piriapolis, Minas, and Punta del Diablo. The land is also crisscrossed by rivers like Rio del Negro, Rio Grande do Sul and Rio de la Plata, which are ideal for fishing and rafting.
Its natural resources have also helped Uruguay become the prosperous country it is today. Aside from its obvious tourist spots, it draws most of its annual income from its agricultural industry - more than 10 percent. Wool and beef are its main exports, while wine and other produce come second.
Heritage Country
Uruguay is a land of history and culture as well. It has been inhabited since the pre-Colombian era, mostly by tribes from neighboring lands such as the Charrua. Their presence still can be felt up to now; especially in sites like Chamanga that still contain rock art and other archaeological sites. The country's biggest influence, however, came in the form of the Spanish colonists, who arrived in the 16th century and proceeded to impart their beliefs, traditions, and cuisine to the locals.
Through revolts and fierce resistance, Uruguay was able to overthrow the foreign invaders, but not their impact. This is most evident in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Colonia de Sacramento, which is chock-full of impressive colonial architecture. Tourists can also do well heading to the busy Mercado del Puerto, where the locals cook up some the largest steaks one will ever see.
Uruguay Traveler Advice
User blogs:
Travel and Inspire
“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” - Jack Kerouac ... Read full Blog post
Swimming with bluefin tuna in the Ebro Delta
In the Ebro Delta to swim with dolphins it seems that is no longer so popular and what it takes now is jump in a pool in the sea full of tuna. This is the trip I chose for my and my family during my days off work to enjoy a little family vacation! The Mediterranean bluefin tuna are huge and can reach half a ton and more than two meters long. When I read in the recent agenda Tarragona Travel ... Read full Blog post
The Easy Way to Find Your Next Flight
Not everyone has experienced the convenience of looking for and booking air travel online. For some people who are not used to online shopping, or for those learning how to browse for the first time it can be a little intimidating at first. It seems like there are a lot of advertisements telling people where to go to book their flight online, but not many articles that take a step-by-step approach ... Read full Blog post
Cheaper galactic spaceliner unveiled
News from http://news.ph.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3737940 Richard Branson unveiled Monday a commercial spaceliner offering tourists a cheaper chance to experience the thrill of weightlessness and view the splendor of the Earth from space. The British billionaire hopes to offer tickets aboard his spacecraft at a cost of 200,000 dollars each, giving adventurous ... Read full Blog post
Volunteering for typhoon Ketsana victims
“There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer,” says a general in the movie Pearl Harbor. True enough, typhoon Ondoy (internationally nicknamed Ketsana) may have proven its might by destroying hundreds of lives and hundreds more in houses and properties, yet this monster-of-a-calamity did not win in devastating the faith and Good Samaritan-spirit of thousands of men and ... Read full Blog post
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