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Uruguay |
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Uruguay - South American's Best Kept Secret
- Why Uruguay?
- Uruguay at a Glance
- History of Uruguay
- Visiting Uruguay
- Montevideo
- Piriapolis and Punta del Este
- Colonia
- Uruguay's Estancias (Ranches)
- Other Host Links
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Why Uruguay?
Google 'Uruguay' and 164 million sites loaded with information are listed. Restrict the search to "Uruguay parks" and you get 9 sites, most asking for posts.
Two are about parks in Uruguay. Try a broader category like "Uruguay tours" and the
number jumps a few thousand. After Google eliminates the duplicates you get 79. When you follow the links many list
Uruguay but offer no information or tours. There are only a few sites which actually organize tours to Uruguay and have useful information.
The preceding is to let you know that while there is lots to do in Uruguay not very many of your friends and neighbors have done it.
I was there in December 2006 on a photo tour sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism.
I loved the country. I have traveled to 60 - 70 countries, more than 30 for diving, and Uruguay quickly became one of my top recommendations.
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Most of the tourism information is about the great beaches, with which I agree. However, Montevideo, Punta del Este,
Piriapolis and Colonia are also must see urban destinations. But, my favorite stops were the Estancias (Ranches) and
wineries. Great food, great wine and some of the best hospitality I have experienced.
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Uruguay at a glance |
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Uruguay is on the east coast of South America, surrounded by Brazil on the north, Argentina on the west and
the Atlantic on the south and east. It is comparable in size to Oklahoma (67,000 square miles) and is the second
smallest country in South America. The country is 75% rolling plains in the south, which is suitable for agriculture,
and a low plateau in the north.
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The Population in 2004 was 3,399,237. Eighty percent of the people live in cities; nearly 50% live in Montevideo,
the capital. The people are 90% White of European descent; the other ten percent are Mestizo and Black.
Two thirds of the citizens are Roman Catholic and another 30% claim no denomination.
Uruguay has one of the highest literacy rates in the world (98%). The standard of living compares to that of
Western Europe. The Climate is warm and temperate.
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History of Uruguay
Uruguay's history is characterized by wars; first
between European powers, followed by contests between Uruguay's two large neighbors -
Argentina and Brazil and then continuing with internal civil wars.
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Uruguay's first people, the Charrúas gave way to a series of European conquests and territorial wars
beginning with Spain in 1516.
The Portuguese made their claim in 1660 by founding Colonia del Sacramento.
Spain defeated the Portuguese one hundred years later.
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Most of the Charrúas had been killed, resulting in
Uruguay becoming a country of Europeans in South America. Those Europeans and their descendants successfully
revolted against Spain in 1811, but were defeated by the Portuguese from Brazil six years later.
In 1825 the Uruguayans enlisted help from Argentina to overthrow Brazil. Uruguay became a republic in 1828.
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| A revolt in 1836 touched off nearly 50 years of factional strife, including a civil war (1839-1851) and a
war with Paraguay (1865-1870), accompanied by occasional armed intervention by Argentina and Brazil.
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Visiting Uruguay
To plan your trip, request the excellent Pasaporte Uruguay
from the tourist authority at www.pasaporteuruguay.com.
Most of it is in English as well as Spanish.
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Montevideo
If you arrive by air your trip will likely begin in Montevideo on the southern coast.
It is a large city with traffic and noise but it is loaded with a variety of photographic opportunities.
There are a variety of outdoor markets and parks. The architecture ranges from buildings made of stone
300 years ago to modern glass and steel. There is a lot of public art depicting some of the country's history and heroes.
We were fortunate to get time inside the Parliament building with our cameras.
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There is an accessible beach that stretches for miles and attracts shore birds as well as strolling families,
fishermen, and sunbathers.
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Piriapolis and Punta del Este
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From Montevideo travel to the east on Route 1B or Route 9 to reach Piriapolis, Uruguay's first coastal resort.
While the nearly dozen beaches are a reason for visiting you can also hang out in all night clubs or make wagers
at the casino. There is a great waterfront for strolling, shopping or arranging a fishing expedition. The municipal
park offers several activities in natural surrounding and you can climb to the top of Cero Pan de Azucar, the third highest
point in Uruguay, for magnificent views.
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A little farther along Route 1B brings you to Punta del Este, Uruguay's most famous resort town.
It has been compared to San Tropez and has taken some of the tourists away from Piriapolis.
The area hosted pirates from the 1500's onward. Some would say the tradition continues.
But it is beautiful and well worth a stay, or at least a shopping and gawking visit. As well as shopping there is golf,
superb beaches, theaters, a zoo, sailing and more. Punta del Este is acknowledged as South America's premier resort.
Only a few kilometers off the coast is Isla de lobos, the home of a large sea-lion colony.
While you can't step on the island good photographic opportunities exist from the tour boat.
The island also has a lighthouse.
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Colonia
Traveling West from Montevideo along route 1 takes you to Colonia and a little farther to Carmelo.
Colonia is a 1600's European town. It is also a mid sized town with a long history as a port city.
The attraction is the old city which has had some rebuilding and is currently flourishing.
Photographic opportunities are everywhere - old buildings, old cars, towering bougainvillea,
gardens, doors, etc. I loved exploring at sunrise when many of the streets see deserted.
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Uruguay's Estancias
Driving north from Montevideo along Route 5 takes you to Florida and some wonderful ranches and wineries.
I stayed at Estancia El Ceibo (www.elceibo.com.uy), a typical,
South American sheep and cattle ranch
set in farmland amid the gently rolling plains of Uruguay. The ranch buildings date back to 1849.
Although the accommodations are modern a stay in El Ceibo is like stepping back in time.
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Activities at the ranch include country walks, rides in a horse-drawn cart, horse-riding,
fishing and even milking a cow. You can walk along the river and explore the surrounding forests
which are home to a large variety of birds. A natural lake, formed by the river, is safe for
swimming and offers a natural, sandy beach. To see more of my horse and gaucho photos, take a look at the
Horses & Men album in Albums.
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The ranch provided many photographic opportunities ranging from
local dancers to burrowing owls to wooden carts. There are horse
herds nearby as well as working gauchos. There are also local wineries, one which makes organic wine.
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Uruguay is a great place for vacationers and photographers. The roads are paved,
the people are very friendly, and the variety of scenery and venues is huge. I brought
thousands of shots home and was personally amazed at the variety: wineries, exotic flowers, horses,
beach sunrises, native birds, old buildings, markets and hundreds of shots of people.
Go now before Uruguay is discovered. Click here to be advised of future photographic trips.
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Copyright 2007 Tom & Susan Isgar All rights reserved.
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