The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is located in South America. Its eastern coast is on the Atlantic Ocean, between parallels 30º and 35° of South latitude and meridians 53°and 58° West longitude. It is thus located in the temperate area of the Southern Hemisphere, with sea predominance.
The Uruguayan territory is divided in 19 departments. Its capital is Montevideo, located on the Bay of the Río de la Plata, with a high quality natural port and with the characteristics of a modern metropolis, regarding buildings and services.
The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is named after its geographic location to the east of the Uruguay River. This geographical reason as well as historical reasons caused the Uruguayans to be called 'Orientals', even if, obviously, Uruguay is situated in the Western Hemisphere. As for the word 'Uruguay', it comes form the Guarani language, meaning 'river where the birds live'.
Wording courtesy of Ministry of Tourism and Deports of Uruguay
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