Political parties and leaders:
Colorado Party [Jorge BATLLE Ibanez]; National Party or Blanco
[Luis Alberto LACALLE Herrera]; New Sector/Space Coalition (Nuevo
Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI]; Progressive Encounter/Broad Front
Coalition (Encuentro Progresista/Frente Amplio) or EP-FA [Tabare
VAZQUEZ]; Independent Party (Partido Independiente) [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Agrupacion UTE (powerful state worker's union), Rural Association
of Uruguay (rancher's association), Uruguayan Construction League,
Chamber of Uruguayan Industries (manufacturer's association),
Chemist and Pharmaceutical Association (professional organization),
Architect's Society of Uruguay (professional organization), the
Catholic Church, students
International organization participation:
CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA,
Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, ONUB,
OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO,
UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UNMOT, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos GIANELLI Derois
chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316
FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York
consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Martin J. SILVERSTEIN embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777 FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611
Flag description:
nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating
with blue; there is a white square in the upper hoist-side corner
with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May and
16 rays alternately triangular and wavy
Economy Uruguay
Economy - overview:
Uruguay's well-to-do economy is characterized by an export-oriented
agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of
social spending. After averaging growth of 5% annually during
1996-98, in 1999-2002 the economy suffered a major downturn,
stemming largely from the spillover effects of the economic problems
of its large neighbors, Argentina and Brazil. For instance, in
2001-02 massive withdrawals by Argentina of dollars deposited in
Uruguayan banks led to a plunge in the Uruguyan peso and a massive
rise in unemployment. Total GDP in these four years dropped by
nearly 20%, with 2002 the worst year due to the serious banking
crisis. Unemployment rose to nearly 20% in 2002, inflation surged,
and the burden of external debt doubled. Cooperation with the IMF
limited the damage. The debt swap with private creditors carried out
in 2003, which extended the maturity dates on nearly half of
Uruguay's $11.3 billion in public debt, substantially alleviated the
country's amortization burden in the coming years and restored
public confidence. The economy grew about 10% in 2004 as a result of
high commodity prices for Uruguayan exports, the weakness of the
dollar against the euro, growth in the region, low international
interest rates, and greater export competitiveness.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$49.27 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
10.2% (2004 est.)