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Uruguay - Government
Based on the etymology of Uruguay, it was name derives from the Uruguay River, which makes up the western border of the country; the river's name comes from the Guarani words uru (bird) and guay (tail). The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandú, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San José, Soriano, Tacuarembó, Treinta y Tres
National symbols
Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol).
The flag
The National flag of Uruguay has no official description available.
The National Anthem
| Title | N/A |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | N/A |
More about the government of Uruguay
| Date of Independence | 25 August 1825 (from Brazil) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 25 August (1825) |
| Legal system | civil law system based on the Spanish civil code |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous; latest approved by plebiscite 27 November 1966, effective 15 February 1967, reinstated in 1985 at the conclusion of military rule |
| Amendment process | Initiated by public petition of at least 10% of qualified voters, proposed by agreement of at least two fifths of the General Assembly membership, or by existing "constitutional laws" sanctioned by at least two thirds of the membership in both houses of the Assembly; proposals can also be submitted by senators, representatives, or by the executive power and require the formation of and approval in a national constituent convention; final passage by either method requires approval by absolute majority of votes cast in a referendum |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | yes |
| Citizenship by descent only | yes |
| Dual citizenship recognized | yes |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 3-5 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Yamandú ORSI Martínez (since 1 March 2025) |
| Head of government | President Yamandú ORSI Martínez (since 1 March 2025) |
| Cabinet | Council of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the General Assembly |
| Election/appointment process | president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute-majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for nonconsecutive terms) |
| Most recent election date | 27 October 2024, with a runoff on 24 November 2024 |
| Election results | 2024: Yamandú ORSI Martínez elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Yamandú ORSI Martínez (FA) 46.2%, Álvaro Luis DELGADO Ceretta (PN) 28.2%, Andrés OJEDA Ojeda Spitz (PC) 16.9%, other 8.7%; percent of vote in second round - Yamandú ORSI Martínez 52.1%, Álvaro Luis DELGADO Ceretta 47.9% 2019: Luis Alberto LACALLE POU elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Daniel MARTINEZ (FA) 40.7%, Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (PN) 29.7%, Ernesto TALVI (Colorado Party) 12.8%, Guido MANINI RIOS (Open Cabildo) 11.3%, other 5.5%; percent of vote in second round - Luis Alberto LACALLE POU 50.6%, Daniel MARTINEZ 49.4% |
| Expected date of next election | 28 October 2029, with a runoff, if needed, on 25 November 2029 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | General Assembly (Asamblea General) |
| Legislative structure | Bicameral |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 5 judges) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Judges nominated by the president and appointed by two-thirds vote in joint conference of the General Assembly; judges serve 10-year terms, with reelection possible after a lapse of 5 years following the previous term |
| Subordinate courts | Courts of Appeal; District Courts (Juzgados Letrados); Peace Courts (Juzgados de Paz); Rural Courts (Juzgados Rurales) |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Daniel CASTILLOS Gómez (since 5 September 2025) |
| Chancery | 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 331-1313 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 331-8142 |
| Email address and website | urueeuu@mrree.gub.uy https://embassyofuruguay.us/ |
| Consulate(s) general | Miami, New York, San Francisco |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Lou RINALDI (since 30 September 2025) |
| Embassy | Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 |
| Mailing address | 3360 Montevideo Place, Washington DC 20521-3360 |
| Telephone | (+598) 1770-2000 |
| FAX | [+598] 1770-2128 |
| Email address and website | MontevideoACS@state.gov https://uy.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 3 (all cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Historic City of Colonia del Sacramento; Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape; The work of engineer Eladio Dieste: Church of Atlántida |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Uruguay
Info
No additional political notes.
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Uruguay
Want to know more about Uruguay? Check all different factbooks for Uruguay below.
