Records and Achievements

Let’s face it, we know very little about this distant country. Uruguay doesn't aim to be the loudest or the biggest.

But if you look closely, it turns out that this small country regularly sets records - sometimes serious, sometimes curious, and sometimes completely unexpected.

A country of trust, stability and a thriving middle class

Uruguay is consistently ranked among the least corrupt countries in Latin America and often performs on par with developed countries. For the region, this is more a pleasant exception than the norm.

For almost four decades, there have been no coups, no dictatorships, and no abrupt political disruptions. Stable democracy here is not a beautiful slogan, but an everyday reality deeply embedded in institutions and social culture.

The result is one of the largest and most stable middle classes in Latin America: more than 60% of the population. This is evident in the appearance of cities, the level of education, social mobility and in the very sense of predictability and tranquility of everyday life.

Green energy and fast internet

Uruguay is a rare example of a country where technological solutions work extremely efficiently. More than 95% of electricity here is produced from renewable sources: wind, water, solar and biomass. Uruguay has closed its nuclear power plant and is systematically and pragmatically developing alternative energy.

In parallel, Uruguay has become one of the few countries in the world with almost complete fiber-optic internet coverage. High-speed access is available not only in the capital, but also in small towns and rural areas – largely thanks to the state telecommunications infrastructure.

Transport is another part of the picture. Buquebus ferries between Montevideo and Buenos Aires are the fastest in the world (Guinness Book of Records) and have long been part of daily life in the region. Investments in next-generation electric high-speed vessels are also being discussed—a logical continuation of the course toward environmentally friendly and fast mobility.

A small Uruguayan satellite with the hilariously funny name Milanesat is somewhere in orbit (milanesa is the most popular Uruguayan schnitzel). Well, self-deprecating humor is alive and well here.

Technology here is not technology for its own sake. It simply and unobtrusively makes life more comfortable and sustainable.

Great passions in a small country

Uruguay became the first country to win the FIFA World Cup in 1930 and still remains one of the most decorated national teams in history. For a country with a population of about 3.5 million, this is an achievement of almost disproportionate scale.

Football is not a show, but a part of everyday life. The number of clubs, stadiums and players per capita is one of the highest in the world.

In 1950, when Uruguay won the championship for the second time, defeating Brazil at its home stadium, Maracana, a unique attendance record for a football match was set: 199,854 spectators.

There is also entertainment outside of sports. The Uruguayan Carnival lasts more than 40 days (the longest in the world) and combines music, theater, satire and street performances without turning into a tourist attraction.

Other notable facts

A country where there are more cows than people

There are several times as many cows as the country’s 3.5 million residents. No wonder asado here is not just food, but a social ritual.

World record for mate consumption

In terms of the amount of mate consumed per capita, Uruguay leads the world.

A thermos and a mate gourd are almost part of the national costume here.

A sudden record

In 2024, in Montevideo, 928 people took an ice bath at the same time.

The event took place on April 13 and was organized by enthusiasts with the support of sponsors. Before the dive, the participants practiced breathing exercises and meditation for 20 minutes and then spent 3 minutes in icy water.

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