Located in the South American continent, Uruguay is nestled by the South Atlantic coastline, lying between Argentina to the west and Brazil to the north. It is quite a small country but it surely packs a lot of history, hospitality and happiness.
The name Uruguay means the river of colorful birds. The country is often referred to as the Switzerland of South America with a rich history with its indigenous people. The country is mostly low-lying landscape because the highest point in the country is Cerro Catedral, only 514 meters high. The country’s climate is sub-tropical but because of the lack of high mountain ranges, the country being straddled by the fitful Atlantic Ocean, oftentimes the country is subjected to quick weather pattern changes.
The main language used in the country is Spanish and the intonation is very similar to the Argentinian tone. In some areas, Portunol or Brasilero is spoken. This is a dialect that is a blend of both Portuguese and Spanish. There are also many words coming from Amerindian that is interspersed throughout the Spanish dialect spoken in the country. There are many areas in the country though that English is spoken quite fluently, mostly in the tourist areas of the country. Even if English is taught in the Uruguayan educational system, it is not as popularly spoken as Spanish.
Being located by the Atlantic Ocean, the country is a beach haven for tourists and locals alike. The most popular areas for sunbathing, surfing and even just swimming are Punta del Este, Piriapolis, La Paloma, La Pedrera, Cabo Polonio, Punta del Diablo and Santa Teresa.
Another highlight you ought not to miss when in Uruguay is its football. The national league is considered as one of the pastimes of the country and often when there is a game between Nacional and Penarol, the whole country stops and tunes in to the game, be it on television or on the radio.
The cost of living of Uruguay is very much lower than the United States or Western European standards. It is even lower than its neighboring Argentina. A typical breakfast meal for four can cost as low as three dollars. Imported goods though can be quite expensive, where a liter of Tropical Fruit Juice can cost over two dollars.
As for the meals itself, be prepared for a cuisine that is high on fat and butter. Grains are also a staple in meals. Most of the cuisine is Italian inspired using indigenous ingredients. The best snacks are the empanadas, which are essentially hand-sized meat filled or cheese packed pies. They are often made in bakeries that dot many cities and villages, each would have its own version of this filling snack. Another specialty is called the gramajo, which is a dish made of fried potatoes, eggs and ham. For those that really want a filling meal, then order a chivito, which is a combination meat, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, eggs, ham, bacon, mozzarella cheese, mayonnaise and fries. To wash all these down, order the Yerba Mate, a bitter drink with alcoholic content.
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