In the centre of the territory are the departments of Durazno, Flores, Minas, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres, and Florida, surrounded by those of Artigas, Rivera and Cerro Largo, situated on the very frontier of Brazil; the Department of Rocha on the Atlantic Ocean; those of Maldonado, Canelones, Montevideo, San Jose and Colonia on the River Plate; and those of Soriano, Rio Negro, Paysandu and Salto on the River Uruguay.
All those departments count over a hundred centres of population, that is to say, seven towns, forty-eight villages, and thirty-nine colonies or smaller centres.
Political Organization.
Government.—The constitution of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay establishes the representative republican system.
Sovereignty.—The sovereignty in all its fullness exists radically in the Nation, which has the exclusive right of establishing its own laws in the way determined by the Constitution.
Religion.—The Religion of the state is the Roman Apostolic Catholic Church. However, all dissident churches are tolerated and their religion can be freely practiced; the inhabitants enjoy the full liberty of thought.
High Powers.—The three high powers of the state are the legislative power, the executive power and the judicial power.
Legislative Powers.—This power is formed by two chambers, the Senate and Deputies' Chamber. The Senate is compounded with as many members as departments, these forming the political and administrative division of the Republic. The election is indirect.
The President of the Senate is the Vice-President of the Republic, and performs the functions of the first magistrate in case of absence, illness, resignation or death.