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The Glossary

cuchillas - "means "rolling plateaus," where you can indulge in hiking, biking, mountain climbing or camping."

From Uruguay Glossary

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.

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