BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Uruguay is a lovely small country located in the southwestern side of South America, with boundaries with Brazil , Argentina and the Atlantic Ocean .
Known as the Switzerland of South America for its love to peace and democracy, Uruguay offers over 500 kilometers of beaches, hot springs and beautiful scenery.
Uruguayans are hospitable people.

• Montevideo

Montevideo, the capital, is a charming city with wide avenues, parks and plazas.
Its “Ciudad Vieja”(old city) features old buildings in the colonial Spanish, Italian and Art Deco styles.
The City Hall, the Mother Church , Independence Square and the Museum of National History are well worth a visit. So is the “Mercado del Puerto” (Port Market), an old port converted into a busy and colorful area with markets, restaurants, artists and street musicians. Night clubs are found in the Old City .

• Punta del Este

Punta del Este, the world renowned jet-set resort is considered by many to be the most sophisticated spot on the continent. It boasts sumptuous residences and a string of beaches around the peninsula. There are golf courses and casinos, boutiques that carry most of the famous brands, and exciting sports and cultural events to choose from. There is a wide choice of hotels, villas and apartments. Just offshore there is “Isla de Lobos”, home to a sea-lion colony.

• Colonia del Sacramento

Colonia del Sacramento is a veritable repository of history and architecture. It is hard to
visualize such a lovely city with its well-preserved colonial buildings and cobblestone streets in South America . A leisurely walk of exploration around Colonia is perhaps the best way to appreciate this historical place.