Uruguay is a country of 3.5 million people located in
the southeastern part of South America. It is about
6,000 miles from Cel Dor Asado. Uruguay is virtually
surrounded by rivers and borders the South Atlantic
Ocean. It is the second smallest independent country in
South America. Montevideo, the capital, was founded by
the Spanish in the early 18th century.
Uruguay won its independence in 1828 following a three
way struggle between Spain, Argentina and Brazil.
The
economy is largely based upon agriculture. The name
Uruguay is said to have many possible derivations. Some
say that Uruguay comes from the name of the small
colorful chinchilla bird, the uru, which is found all
around the country near Uruguay’s many rivers. Others
believe that Uruguay means ‘river of those who bring
food’; this meaning has been popularized since the
discovery of an old document written by Jesuit Lucas
Marton. Cel Dor Asado likes to think of Uruguay as
meaning river of those who bring food to you!
Uruguay, located in the Pampa region of South America,
borders only Argentina and Brazil. Located in the
southern hemisphere, seasons in Uruguay are opposite of
those in Colorado. When it is winter here, it is summer
there! Uruguayans would be amazed at our Valley, and
the Wet Mountains to the east, and the Sangre de Cristos
to the west. The highest point in Uruguay is found in
the Sierra de Carape mountain range, and is a lowly
1,685’ above sea level.
Food is very important in Uruguayan culture. Modern
awareness campaigns such as “Uruguayan grass-fed beef”
and Uruguay Natural” aim to establish Uruguay as a
premium brand in beef, wine, and other food products.
An industry has developed around the estancia tourism
which capitalizes on the traditional or folkloristic
connotations associated with gaucho culture, asado
cooking, and the remaining historic Uruguayan estancias
(‘estates’).
