The flag of Uruguay is composed of nine equal horizontal bands of white alternating with blue, with a white square superimposed in the canton. In the white square is a yellow sun bearing a human face โ€” the Sun of May โ€” from which sixteen rays extend. The sun's rays alternate between triangular and wavy.

Uruguay

Oriental Republic of Uruguay

People: Uruguayan

๐Ÿ›๏ธCapitalMontevideo
๐Ÿ’ฐCurrencyUruguayan peso ($)
๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธLanguageSpanish
๐Ÿ“žDialling Code+598
๐ŸŒRegionSouth America
๐Ÿ‘ฅPopulation3,499,451

Uruguay is located in South America and has a population of around 3.5 million. Its capital city is Montevideo, and the most widely spoken official language is Spanish.

By the numbers, Uruguay is the 133rd most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.04% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 89th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 19 people per kmยฒ.

Facts last checked 31 August 2026.

Uruguay โ€” key facts at a glance

Official NameOriental Republic of Uruguay
Capital CityMontevideo
ContinentSouth America
RegionSouth America
Population3,499,451
Area181,034 kmยฒ
CurrencyUruguayan peso (UYU) $
Official LanguageSpanish
Dialling Code+598
Internet TLD.uy
TimezoneUTC-03:00
Drives on theRight side
Emergency Number112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide)
ISO CodeUY / URY
BordersArgentina, Brazil

Travelling to Uruguay?

Driving side: Right
Emergency number: 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide)
Calling from abroad: +598 then the local number

Before you fly, run through a free packing checklist for Uruguay. Pack a universal travel adapter for your devices. You can also check clothing and shoe sizes in Uruguay before you shop, and look up popular foods from Uruguay if you want to know what's on the menu.

Leaving your car at a UK airport? Compare off-airport parking with Airparks before you fly to Uruguay. Thinking about staying longer? Some travellers fund extended trips by teaching English abroad with a TEFL certificate.

Getting to and around Uruguay

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Planning a trip to Uruguay?

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Frequently Asked Questions about Uruguay

What is the capital and currency of Uruguay?

The capital of Uruguay is Montevideo and the currency is the Uruguayan peso (UYU), symbol $.

What is the capital of Uruguay?

The capital of Uruguay is Montevideo.

What currency does Uruguay use?

Uruguay uses the Uruguayan peso (UYU, symbol: $).

What language do they speak in Uruguay?

The official language of Uruguay is Spanish.

What is the dialling code for Uruguay?

The international dialling code for Uruguay is +598.

What side of the road does Uruguay drive on?

Uruguay drives on the right-hand side of the road.

Countries bordering Uruguay

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