Uruguay Emerges As The Capital Of Sustainability

One of the most stable economies in South America for years, it has been termed the Switzerland of South America for both its economy, its nationalized free education system, and its fertile soil. And even with its agricultural background and its traditional attractiveness, the nation is blessed with perfect seashores and coastal regions which has made Uruguay one of the favorites for international savvy investor’s as a perfect destination for many years.  With globalization and regional economic strengths, its links to the rest of the world have strengthened. Uruguay is a strong advocate of constitutional democracy, political pluralism, and individual liberties.  Uruguay relishes a high standard of living but attracts fewer tourists than neighboring Brazil and Argentina.  Visitors here can melt into the background and experience the everyday life of a different culture, whether  riding horses  under the big sky of Uruguay’s sparsely populated interior or strolling with throngs of  mate drinking locals along Montevideo’s 9 miles long beachfront. With mate, organic vegetable production and sustainable tree crops, Uruguay is emerging as the perfect location for a balanced natural lifestyle and that even includes small scale organic family farming.

In Uruguay citrus farming is also a bright spot on the agricultural horizon lately. Citrus and produce farms were originally established around Montevideo to supply the city with fruits and vegetables. During the 1980s, these farms expanded, allowing Uruguay to become a net exporter of citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. The exported value increased from US$5 million in 1980 to US$21 million in 1986 to over US$100 million a year in the 21st Century. One large-scale citrus plantation added packing facilities and juice and oil production facilities, with at least half of its production intended for export. The government encourages such diversification of agriculture as it moves towards a more sustainable business model.

Uruguay is bordered to the north by Brazil, to the southeast by the Atlantic, and is separated from Argentina in the west and south by the River Uruguay, which widens out into the Rio de la Plata estuary.  The landscape is made up of hilly meadows broken by streams and rivers.  There are also a gorgeous string of seashores along the coast for everyone to enjoy.  Uruguay is also very diverse geographically, however most of the country is grassland and fertile soil.  Montevideo, the most southern point of the nation, accommodates nearly half of the population.  About 90% of the land  therefore is suitable for agriculture, although only approximately 15% is currently being for food production currently.

Uruguay offers one of the very most educated, socially conscious cultures in Latin America and on the planet as well. Its historic concern for human improvement, even in the face of political and military adversity, has enabled it to become an enlightened, open-minded center of learning and peaceful relations.  Like most other countries, however, Uruguay’s educational system always improving, most notably in the areas of physical facilities and technology.  No doubt its high literacy rate and its commitment to self-improvement will help it overcome problems presented by any lack of resources.

Uruguay is situated in the middle of a corridor that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and is the gateway to the Panama-Paraguay River transportation system.  The corridor is inhabited by 40 million people and covers an area of 3.1 million square kilometers (1.2 million square miles).  To take full advantage of its geographic position, Uruguay consistently makes improvement to its transportation  infrastructure  .  As South America’s smallest Spanish speaking country, Uruguay is frequently overlooked by tourists visiting the region.

Uruguay is unique in South America in that practically any point of the country is within a day’s drive of the capital.  Popular tourist attractions are the resort towns of Atlantida, Piriapolis, and Punta del Este.  Beyond Punta del Este are many worthwhile sights on the way to the Brazilian border.  Punta del Este’s popularity with wealthy Argentines and Brazilians have pushed prices up on recent years.  Social legislation now provides for a day of rest in every week, plus Saturday afternoon, holidays, minimum wages, annual cash and holiday bonuses, family allowances, payment for unemployment or dismissal, workers’ accident compensation, retirement pensions for rural and domestic workers, old age and disability pensions, and special consideration for working women and minors.  The state also provides care for children and mothers, as well as for the blind, deaf and mute.  Free medical attention is available to the poor, as are low-cost living quarters for workers.

Uruguay traditionally has had strong political and cultural links with its neighbors and Europe.  A South American country with a rich agricultural history that exists even into the 21st century, Uruguay sits on the eastern edge of South America between Brazil and Argentina, nestled up against the Atlantic Ocean.  However, with its  vibrant nightlife  and stunning coastline Uruguay is well worth discovering and a perfect place for international real estate investment as well. Uruguay is poised right now historically. With pure lakes, rivers and streams combined with a stable infrastructure, if is viewed as a new capital of sustainability with its because of its rich soil and history.

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