Uruguay is home to an estimated 3. Montevideo was founded as a military stronghold by the Spanish in the early 18th century, signifying the competing claims over the region. Uruguay won its independence between and , following a four-way struggle between Portugal and Spain, and later Argentina and Brazil.
It remained subject to foreign influence and intervention throughout the 19th century, with the military playing a recurring role in domestic politics. A series of economic crises put an end to a democratic period that had begun in the early 20th century, culminating in a coup , which established a civic-military dictatorship.
The military government persecuted leftists, socialists, and political opponents, resulting in several deaths and numerous instances of torture by the military; the military relinquished power to a civilian government in Uruguay is today a democratic constitutional republic, with a president who serves as both head of state and head of government.
Uruguay is ranked first in Latin America in democracy , peace , low perception of corruption , [12] e-government , [13] and is first in South America when it comes to press freedom , size of the middle class and prosperity.
It ranks second in the region on economic freedom , income equality , per-capita income and inflows of FDI. Uruguay is regarded as one of the most socially advanced countries in Latin America.
