l long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay
local short form: Uruguay

Data code: UY

Government type: republic

Capital: Montevideo

Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos,
singular--departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia,
Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo,
Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano,
Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres

Independence: 25 August 1825 (from Brazil)

National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1825)

Constitution: 27 November 1966, effective February 1967,
suspended 27 June 1973, new constitution rejected by referendum 30
November 1980; two constitutional reforms approved by plebiscite 26
November 1989 and 7 January 1997

Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Julio Maria SANGUINETTI (since 1 March
1995) and Vice President Hugo FERNANDEZ Faingold (since 5 October
1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Julio Maria SANGUINETTI (since 1 March
1995) and Vice President Hugo FERNANDEZ Faingold (since 5 October
1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with
parliamentary approval
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 November
1994 (next to be held 31 October 1999 with run-off election if
necessary on 28 November 1999)
election results: Julio Maria SANGUINETTI elected president; percent
of vote--23%

Legislative branch: bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea
General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators--last held 27 November 1994 (next to
be held 31 October 1999); Chamber of Representatives--last held 27
November 1994 (next to be held 31 October 1999)
election results: Chamber of Senators--percent of vote by
party--Colorado 36%, Blanco 34%, Encuentro Progresista 27%, New
Sector/Space 3%; seats by party--Co