GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

The Republic of Uruguay is located on the Atlantic coast of South America, spreading across latitude 30 – 35 S and longitude 53 – 58 W.

It borders on Brazil to the North and Northeast, and on Argentina to the West, where the boundary is the Uruguay River. The country is bounded by the River Plate to the South and by the Atlantic Ocean to the East.

COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES: MERCOSUR

The country's strategic location within the Southern Cone of the continent favors its integration with the region, as it provides a gateway to the MERCOSUR countries.

TERRITORY, CLIMATE AND SOCIETY

The varied and extended communications network available, combined with competitive financial services and a proper infrastructure for supporting business activities all allow for an easy access to the core business of the MERCOSUR, and connections towards other regions and countries worldwide. In addition, the country's lengthy political and economic stability, and its open cosmopolitan society provide an ideal platform for projecting businesses to the region and the whole world as well.

Most of the Uruguayan territory - with 500 kilometers of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and the River Plate - is habitable. It totals 176,215 square kilometers, 90% of which are usable, apart from the 120,684 square kilometers of territorial seawaters, and the nation’s territorial waters of the bordering rivers and lakes.

As part of the southern temperate zone of the hemisphere, Uruguay’s climate is moderate. The population, of approximately 3,240,000 inhabitants, is mostly of European ancestry, with an annual population growth rate of 0.3%, and a life expectancy at birth of 76 years. The country’s official language is Spanish, with a literacy rate of 97%. The population shows a very significant general knowledge and is highly qualified in technical and professional areas.

POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION

Uruguay is a Republic with a presidential government that includes three fully independent powers: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. The Executive Power of government is led by the President, elected every 5 years, acting in combination with the Ministers Council. The main body of the Legislative Power is the General Assembly comprising two legislative chambers: the House of Representatives, which consists of 99 deputies, and the Senate, with a total of 31 members, one of whom is the Vice-President. Each one of the two chambers is entitled to act either jointly with or independently from the other. The Judicial Power of Government is exercised by the Supreme Court of Justice, composed of 5 judges appointed by the Legislative Power, and the various courts of justice.

The Republic of Uruguay is politically divided into 19 Departments, each governed and administered by a Departmental Council and a Mayor, covering all aspects except the services related to public safety. Mayors are elected every 5 years, while the Departmental Councils act as legislative bodies that are in charge of controlling the Government of each Department.

Why chose Free Trade Zones in Uruguay ?