Uruguay

While Uruguay does share many cultural overlaps with Argentina, there is so much more to the small nation than meets the eye. Roughly half of the population lives in Montevideo, the nation's capital which is supplemented by a great network of roads throughout the country. Popular sites like the Plaza of Independence, Montevideo Cathedral, and Estadio Centenario, host of the first World Cup, are common destinations for Uruguayans and tourists alike. Uruguay has one of the highest per-capita GDPs in Latin America sparked by an economy centered around cattle, which outnumber humans. Economically, Uruguay is very supportive of big corporations, issuing large tax cuts. In terms of sustainability, Uruguay has initiated a massive reforestation operation, and today 90% of its power comes from power renewable energy sources. The cuisine in Uruguay consists of foods like chivito, asado, and dulce de leche for dessert. Mate is an extremely popular tea-like drink consumed with light snacks throughout the day. The demographic makeup of Uruguay is overwhelmingly European, with the Charrua Indian population being massacred in the 19th Century. The country has very little traces of religion in its culture, and sports are very popular. Rugby was introduced to Uruguay when the UK occupied the region centuries ago. It has since become very popular in the country, with the national team finding much success. Of course, athletics in Uruguay are dominated by soccer. The national team, especially in its early days, saw tremendous success. It won multiple World Cups and Olympic titles, producing great players. Today, they are the home of stars like Luis Suarez, Darwin Nuñez, and Ederson Cavani. One niche part of Uruguayan culture is the Gaucho population in the rural parts of the country. These ranchers have their own unique dressware, and their own foods and customs, pushing leather craftwork into the Uruguayan market on a massive scale. A popular holiday in Uruguay is "Noche de la Nostalgia" in which old music is listened to in celebration of past years. The Italian game Truco is very popular amongst Uruguayans, and murals are a widespread form of artistic expression. Architecture ranges from modern skyscrapers to extravagant colonial buildings, and expansive haciendas are found in the countryside. Film, literature, and music each respectively have many Uruguayan influences too. For example, the tango was arguably invented in Uruguay and many drum rhythms make up Uruguay's traditional music scene.