Uruguay: (Spanish, Rep�blica Oriental del Uruguay), republic in east central South America, second smallest country on the continent, bounded on the north by Brazil, on the east by Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Atlantic Ocean and the R�o de la Plata, and on the west by Argentina. The Uruguay River forms the entire western boundary. The area of Uruguay is 176,215 sq km (68,037 sq mi). Montevideo is the country's capital, chief port, and economic center. Land and Resources:
Uruguay has 193 km (120 mi) of Atlantic coastline and 813 km (505 mi) of frontage along its boundary rivers, including 435 km (270 mi) on the Uruguay River and 378 km (235 mi) on its estuary, the R�o de la Plata. Physiographic Regions:
The terrain in the south consists of grassy, rolling plains, except for tidal marshland along the Atlantic coast. In the north and northwest is a low plateau, the Cuchilla de Haedo, diversified by ridges of hills that rise to an extreme height of 377 m (1237 ft) above sea level. The eastern portion of the country is dominated by the Cuchilla Grande, which extends generally south from Brazil to a point near Punta del Este; it rises to 501 m (1644 ft) at Mirador Nacional, the highest elevation in Uruguay. Woodland occurs chiefly along the riverbanks. The R�o Negro is the principal river of the Uruguayan interior; only its lower portion is navigable. The Uruguay River is navigable from its mouth to Salto. Climate:
Uruguay has a temperate climate. The average temperature for the warmest months, January and February, is 21.7� C (71� F), and for the coldest month, June, 10� C (50� F). Rainfall is well distributed and averages about 890 mm (about 35 in) a year. During the winter months cold storms, known as pamperos, blow from the southwest, but frost is virtually unknown in most parts of the country.