Uruguay

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Uruguay is part of:
Latin America and Caribbean · South America ·
Water Basins of Uruguay:
Chuy · La Plata · Lagoon Mirim ·

Facts & Figures

edit

Capital

Montevideo

Neighbouring Countries

Argentina, Brazil

Total Area

176,220 km²

- Water

2,600 km² (1.48%) / 148 m²/ha

- Land

173,620 km²

Coastline

660 km

Population

3,463,197 (19.8 inhab./km²)

HDI^A

0.859 (2007)

Gini Coefficient^A

44.9 (1995)

Nominal GDP^B

$28,350 million

GDP (PPP) Per Capita^B

$12,300

National UN Presence

FAO, UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, WB, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNECLAC

Land Use^C

- Cultivated Land

13,907 km² (8.01%)

- Arable

13,490 km² (7.77%)

- Permanent Crops

417 km² (0.24%)

- Irrigated

2,100 km²

- Non cultivated

159,713 km² (91.99%)

Average Annual Rainfall^D

1265 mm

Renewable Water Resources^E

139 km³

Water Withdrawals^F	3.15 km³/yr
- For Agricultural Use	96%
- For Domestic Use	3%
- For Industrial Use	1%
- Per Capita	943 m³

Population with safe access to
- Improved Water Source	100%
- Urban population	100%
- Rural population	100%
- Improved Sanitation	100%
- Urban population	100%
- Rural population	99%

References & Remarks

^A UNDP Human Development Report

^B CIA World Factbook and Wikipedia

^C CIA World Factbook Country Profiles

^D Aquastat - FAO's Information System on Water and Agriculture

^E CIA World Factbook

^F Earthtrends

Latest 4 maps for / including Uruguay (more..):

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1 News
2 Country Profile: Climate, Geography, Socio-Economic Context
3 Country Profile: Water Bodies and Resources
4 Country Profile: Legal and Institutional Environment
5 Country Profile: Water Sector Coordination
6 Country Profile: Trends in Water Use, Management and Sanitation
7 Country Profile: Challenges and Opportunities
8 Articles
9 Projects and Case Studies
10 Publications
11 Who is Who
12 References
13 See also
14 External Resources

News

Country Profile: Climate, Geography, Socio-Economic Context

Climatic data for Uruguay reveal an increasing trend in rainfall, especially in summer and spring. Also rising are minimum temperatures throughout the year, although the average temperature in summer is decreasing (AIACC, 2006). Studies of climate change scenarios for Uruguay point to likely increases in temperature, rainfall and sea level, as well as the frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events such as strong winds, heavy rains, hailstorms and other water-related hazards. The temperature could rise by as much as 0.5°C by 2020 and 2.5°C by 2050. The projected sea level rise of as much as 65 cm by 2100 would affect the lagoons and coastal wetlands of the Lake Merín basin and associated ecosystems that are vulnerable to related saltwater intrusion. The effects in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil would likely be quite similar.

From an economic perspective, Uruguay is more vulnerable than Brazil to problems induced by climate change because the region containing the Lake Merín basin generates 70% of the country’s GDP. The economic activities there include extensive rice production, animal husbandry, forestry, tourism, maritime transport and various manufacturing industries. The Program of General Measures for Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change in Uruguay identifies agricultural production (food security), freshwater resources, ecosystems and public health as especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change (Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment, 2007).

Country Profile: Water Bodies and Resources

Country Profile: Legal and Institutional Environment

Discussions about water privatization in Uruguay led to amendment of the Constitution in October 2004. The charter now guarantees public access to water supply and sanitation services as a fundamental right, and stipulates that social considerations should be given priority over economic factors in setting water policy. The Constitution prohibits for-profit corporations from supplying water for human consumption (Alliance for Democracy, 2006).

In Uruguay, the Water Code of 1978 provides the general legal framework for water resources management. The code assigns responsibility for the management of surface and groundwater resources to the national government and departmental authorities. It is complemented by laws setting forth provisions specific to various sectors, such as agriculture and industry.

The Uruguayan Constitution was amended in October 2004 by national referendum to identify water resources as public property and recognize access to drinking water and improved sanitation as a fundamental human right. The constitutional reform also promoted integrated water resources management (IWRM), calling for public participation in planning and for management of water resources at basin level. A new Law on Access to Information (Law 18.381), promulgated in October 2008, is in line with this reform.

Institutions charged with elaborating and implementing water resources management policy, setting priorities for water use and establishing user fees in Uruguay include the National Water Authority and the National Water and Sanitation Administration (under the Ministry of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment) in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. The National Water and Sanitation Policy, which is pending approval, is expected to include environmental preservation and protection among its aims. Like the similar policy document in Brazil, it will provide for all stakeholders, including local communities, to have a role in planning and decision-making.