Uruguay

Where the name comes from

Uruguay is named after the river on its western border; the name is Guaraní, but suggested meanings involving birds or shellfish are disputed.

First people

Charrúa, Guaraní and other Indigenous peoples lived here.¹

Known for

Uruguay is known for football: it hosted and won the first men’s World Cup in 1930, and for the gaucho tradition of drinking mate.²

Outside rule

Portugal founded Colonia in 1680 and Spain founded Montevideo in 1726, and the land was fought over by Spain, Portugal, Brazil and forces from the Río de la Plata.^3,4

The modern country

Spanish rule ended in 1814; local rebels challenged Brazilian rule in 1825, and British mediation led to a separate state in 1828.¹