• Population: 3.5 million
• Capital city: Montevideo (pop. 1.3m)
• Time difference: -3 hours GMT
• Language: Spanish

Little Uruguay, which shares borders with its much larger neighbours Argentina and Brazil, used to be known as the Switzerland of the Americas, in recognition of its bucolic tranquillity and stability. This reputation was somewhat tarnished by political upheavals in the 1970s and 80s, but the country remains friendly and open with a cultured and literate population and is good value for money for the visitor.

There is a growing network of estancias, or ranches, where visitors can relax for a few days, observe the gauchos at work or even ride for themselves the excellent quality horses at their disposal.

Uruguay is very popular with Latin American, North American and European tourists, beguiled by Uruguay’s 660km coastline with its extraordinary white-sand beaches. There are many beach resorts dotted along the coast to the east of the capital Montevideo. Punta Del Este is the most renowned for its ostentatious wealth and celebrity visitors.

The landscape consists mostly of rolling plains and low hills, verdant pasture for the beef cattle for which the country is famed. There is a notable absence of mountains, the highest point being Cerro Cathedral at 514m.