Uruguay: Flag and Facts
Uruguay's flag has nine white and blue horizontal stripes and a white top left corner holding the Sun of May, a yellow sun with a face and 16 rays.
- Official name
- Oriental Republic of Uruguay
- Capital
- Montevideo
- Region
- South America
- Population
- 3.4 million (2025)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currency
- Uruguayan peso
- Area
- 181,034 km² (69,898 sq mi)
- People
- Uruguayan
- Calling code
- +598
- Highest point
- Cerro Catedral 514 m
- Independence
- 25 August 1825 (from Brazil)
- National symbols
- Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)
About Uruguay
Spain founded Montevideo in 1726 as a military stronghold, and its natural harbor soon made it a busy trading center. Argentina claimed the territory at first, but Brazil annexed it in 1821. Uruguay declared independence on 25 August 1825 and secured it in 1828 after three years of struggle. Early in the 20th century, reforms under President Jose Batlle set up a strong role for the state.
The military took control in 1973, and civilian rule returned in 1985. In 2004 the Frente Amplio coalition won, ending 170 years of control by two older parties. Rolling plains and low hills cover most of the land, and freezing weather almost never happens. About 3.4 million people live in Uruguay, and around 1.8 million are in Montevideo.
Did you know?
- Cerro Catedral, the highest point, is just 514 meters tall.
- The nine stripes stand for the country's nine original departments.
- Uruguay borders just two countries: Argentina and Brazil.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Uruguay
What is the sun on Uruguay's flag?
It is the Sun of May, tied to a legend of the sun breaking through clouds in 1810. Some identify it as Inti, the sun god of the Incas.
What language is spoken in Uruguay?
Spanish. The currency is the Uruguayan peso.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.