Uruguay was originally inhabited by the Charua Indians. They resisted conquest by the Spanish for years after Spain came to the land in 1516. In the 16th and 17th century the Spanish began to settle the land and brought cattle to the region, which would later become a major driver to the economy.
Uruguay's capital and largest city today, Montevideo, was founded by the Spanish in the early 18th century as a military base. In 1811, the Uruguayans began their fight for independence behind leader Jose Gervasio Artigas. After some years of fighting, which included being annexed into Brazil and joining a regional federation with Argentina, Uruguay became an independent nation in 1825. Uruguay has since developed into a country with some of the most free political and labor conditions in South America.
The Geography of Uruguay
Total Size: 176,220 square km
Size Comparison: slightly smaller than the state of Washington
