Its stability, profound democratic and cultural traditions and its high level of civil security, all contribute to make Uruguay a key country in the region, with a very important role to play in the establishment of MERCOSUR.

Montevideo has been chosen as administrative capital for MERCOSUR and has recently been awarded valuable recognition by international institutions as the second safest capital in the world.

In turn, it should not be forgotten that Montevideo is the capital of a country considered to be the second safest place to invest in Latin America and the third safest in the continent.

Name: Republica Oriental del Uruguay

Capital: Montevideo (1.338.600 inhabitants and an area of 530 Km2)

Total area: 313.782 Km2

Continental area: 176.215 Km2

Population: 3.152.000 inhabitants

Density: 18 inhab./km2

Males: 1.526.000

Females: 1.626.000

Currency: Peso uruguayo

Language: Spanish

Area: 4.793 Km2

Population: 127.257 inhabitants

Capital: Maldonado

Climate: Depending on the season.

Credit Cards: All major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, Diners, American Express) are widely accepted.

This is the most attractive center of gravity of Uruguayan tourism.

Punta del Este is a peninsula surrounded by sea, and as such has a particular luminosity, a landscape that is always blue.

There are always the frothy waves of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the calm waters of the River Plate on the other side.

Today, Punta del Este is famous throughout the world because of its excellent setting for congresses or meetings. Many Congress are held here during the year.

It is also well known as a meeting place for the jet set and capital of an incomparable nightlife.

But those who know it know that this is not all it has to offer.

In Punta del Este one can find sophistication, fashion, the superb parties given by magnates and businessmen, as well as its Casinos, exquisite restaurants, its mega-shows, its dozen of pubs and discotheques and its busy cultural life. But there is still more: a unique conjunction of architecture, sea and woods give it that characteristic personality that makes it so different from other tourist centers of the world.

Those who appreciate architecture will find here a wealth of talent in the high buildings and residences. The nature lover will discover magnificent abundance of birds, flowers and trees, and will be fascinated by the fur seal reserve at the nearby Isla de Lobos.

There is a place called Arboretum Lussich which contains the trees of the world in a single place.

Here is also room for sports fans: surfing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, fishing, sailing, yachting, games of polo, golf, tennis and the international rugby matches and off-shore races.

Those who have a passion for history will find the Colonial past of Uruguay in the nearby City of Maldonado, very near to Punta del Este, and will admire the discovery of eighteenth century batteries on the Isla Gorriti and at Parada 17.

We've also got the Rural Tourism. Rural traditions are made the most of here, enabling visitors to come close to nature and to a culture that have been jealously preserved on Uruguayan soil. This is what is known as "rural tourism", and in this regard, "estancia tourism" stands out.

Here, traditional rural establishments also operate as places where tourists can rest and relax.

"Estancias" are establishments that very often date back to the nineteenth century.

Here, the "gaucho", the rural man who rode on horseback alongside the herds of cattle is always present.

It is possible to spend the day at an estancia or stay overnight, sharing all the tasks proper of the establishment, in direct contact with the owners and workers, watching how they milk, tame horses, shear sheep, shoe horses or carry out other activities.

However, the sensation that time has stopped is also accompanied by all the comfort and requirements of modern life.