Their Araketu
Only 10% of the population is of African descent. But this culture is celebrated in the Llamadas, a party similar to the afro blocks of the Bahian Carnival. Around 40 drumming and dancing groups, called “comparsas”, parade through neighborhoods in Montevideo
Christmas renamed
About 40% of the population does not believe in any religion – this is the highest rate in South America. There, Holy Week is now called “Tourism Week”, and Christmas, “Family Day”. But there are still traditions like the decorated tree and gifts
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at the base of the bullet
In 1920, President José Batlle y Ordóñez shot and killed journalist Washington Beltran. To get around the situation, a law was created that made “dueling with pistols” legal – and it lasted until 1992! Another president dueled in 1985 and a senator in 1989.
divine tea
As in the south of Brazil, mate is the most traditional drink in the country. A legend of the Guarani Indians says that the herb was a gift from the moon and cloud goddesses, after a man saved them from an attack by a jaguar when they decided to walk around the Earth.
There’s heart!
The first Cup was there, in 1930. There was so much disagreement between Argentina and Uruguay about which ball to use in the final that the discussion yielded death threats! Fans were searched as they entered the stadium and the referee demanded a boat to take them out of the country right after the game!
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Stop, look, go
It looks like pharaonic work to spend money, but this bridge, in fact, was a brilliant idea. By creating a circle instead of a straight line, architect Rafael Viñoly encouraged drivers to appreciate the beauty of the Garzon lagoon, close to the sea – and thus reduce speed.
houses with name
Many houses are identified by name rather than number. The habit began in the 16th century and was a way for the owner of the property to indicate his profession, family, origin or status: the “house of the doctor” or “of the Martinez”. This one in the photo is Villa Yerua, in Montevideo.
21st in the ranking of the least corrupt countries (Brazil is in 76th)
6 minutes the national anthem lasts, one of the longest in the world
8.1 million of sheep in the country (5 million more than humans)
715 thousand pay TV subscribers
SOURCES Associated Press, The Guardian, The Fact File, El País, iExplore, Diário Gaúcho, Wools of Uruguay and Statista websites