The official name of the country is República Oriental del
Uruguay / Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
Contrary to popular thought, and unlike the West Indies, which Columbus thought were part of India, it is NOT based on a mistaken notion by an
explorer that he had found China
or Japan.
The term “oriental” is taken from the original name of the
area that has become Uruguay,
the “Banda Oriental”, is so called because it is on the Eastern (oriental)
shore of the Rio Uruguay which forms its Western border with Argentina.
Today is a holiday in Uruguay. It celebrates El Desembarco de los 33
Orientales / The Landing of the 33 Orientales.
Their heroism led directly to Uruguay’s independence.
On April 19, 1825, a group of
Uruguayan revolutionaries (the famous Thirty-Three Heroes) led by Juan Antonio
Lavalleja, reinforced by Argentine troops, crossed the Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires and
organized an insurrection that succeeded in gaining control over the
countryside. On August 25, 1825, in a town in the liberated area,
representatives from the Banda Oriental declared the territory's independence
from Brazil
and its incorporation into the United Provinces of Río de la Plata. Brazil declared
war on them. The ensuing conflict lasted from December 1825 to August 1828.
In 1828 Lord John Ponsonby, envoy
of the British Foreign Office, proposed making the Banda Oriental an
independent state. Britain
was anxious to create a buffer state between Argentina
and Brazil
to ensure its trade interests in the region. With British mediation, Brazil and Argentina
signed the Treaty of Montevideo at Rio de Janeiro
on August 27, 1828, whereby Argentina
and Brazil
renounced their claims to the territories that would become integral parts of
the newly independent state on October 3. However, Argentina
and Brazil
retained the right to intervene in the event of a civil war and to approve the
constitution of the new nation.
Argentine and Brazilian troops
began their withdrawal, while a constituent assembly drew up the constitution
of the new country, created its flag and coat of arms, and enacted legislation.
The constitution was approved officially on July 18, 1830, after having been
ratified by Argentina and Brazil. It established
a representative unitary republic–the República Oriental del Uruguay (Oriental
Republic of Uruguay), the word oriental (eastern) representing the legacy of
the original designation of the territory as the Banda Oriental.
You can read this and more
at: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/uytoc.html
The “Liberty or Death” flag that they flew on this
day can be viewed at: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/xl_33or.html. This site notes that it is still used on
ceremonial occasions along with the National Flag and the Artigas Flag.
So,
from the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, please accept my best wishes for a Happy
“Landing of the 33 Orientales Day”.
I have received several calls and instant messages from Uruguayans about this particular listing. It seems as if they like revisionist history and conspiracies here as well as anyplace else. The alternative theory of the “33 Orientales” is that they were organized by the Free Masons and that the number 33 was “symbolic”, taken from the highest degree in freemasonry and the number of members of their grand council; “Orientales” they claim, comes from the symbolic “East”, the focal point of power, where the “grear architect” reigns in Masonic lore. For them the final proof was that the independence of Uruguay was ultimately arranged by British Lord Ponsonby, a reputed free mason. QED: it proves the entire theory. Could be, but it sure is a long way from George Washington wearing a masonic apron when he laid the cornerstone of the US capital…
Left by The Southron on May 13th, 2006
Hi,I came across your blog via Escape From America Magazine August 2006.The closest I have been to Uruguay was Argentina and Brazil in 2004. We were on our way to check Nicaragua out as an option to live.I am Portuguese (now also Australian born in Mozambique) and my wife is Australian from NZ parentage my family come from the Algarve (south Portugal).Firstly, I thing your blog is a great idea. People get a first hand impression of the country and your experience.We are, due to your blog, quite interested to explore the idea to move to Uruguay. Are you aware of ant sites that might give me/us some feeling for the price of property and potential business opportunities?Hope to hear from you and good luck!
Left by Rui Martins on August 25th, 2006
The folowing links from “The Southron’s UY Links” are pretty extensive. The first is sort of a multiple listing service, the rest of from indiviual companies.Please remember, that often the best deals do no make it to the internet.You will usually have three search choices: Venta-For Sale, A. Anual-Yearly Rentals and A. Temp-Monthly rentals.CASAS.com.uy- Casas, chalets, todas con fotos, venta, alquiler, Montevideo, Puntadel Este, toda la costa de UruguayThis is the House site, it also links to sites for Apartments, vacant lots, and farms.Inmobiliaria Lucia delCastillointermedioSantestevanInmobiliariaCristina OttonelloPilar QuartinoPropiedadesArbeleche Bessonart& Asociados
Left by The Southron on August 25th, 2006
The folowing real estate links from “The Southron’s UY Links” are pretty extensive. The first is sort of a multiple listing service, the rest of from indiviual companies.Please remember, that often the best deals do no make it to the internet.You will usually have three search choices: Venta-For Sale, A. Anual-Yearly Rentals and A. Temp-Monthly rentals.CASAS.com.uy - Casas, chalets, todas con fotos, venta, alquiler, Montevideo, Punta del Este, toda la costa de UruguayThis is the House site, it also links to sites for Apartments, vacant lots, and farms. Inmobiliaria Lucia del Castillo intermedio Santestevan Inmobiliaria Cristina Ottonello Pilar Quartino Propiedades Arbeleche Bessonart & Asociados BUSINESS OPPORTUNITES: I think these are in the eye of the beholder. I see several I am pursuing. We hope to organize some good investment ideas as a partnership between locals who could provide property or other infrastructure and outsiders with cash.For a business to be really successful here it must be selling its goods or services outside the country–and of course, the free trade zones are perfect for such businesses.
Left by The Southron on August 25th, 2006
Thanks for the reply and information.I just have one or two other questions related to the topic of Business.What is the manufacturing capacity/infrastructure like particularly for export of goods?How far has the notion of sustainability/Green development spread?How expensive is labour over there, and finally How active is the construction industry or potential is there for an Architect (especially in the area of green development).Kind regards and good luck with your ventures.
Left by Rui Martins on August 31st, 2006
We will try to get answers for you in the course of our book research. In the meantime, you might be able to get some information from these Free Trade Zone operators:
http://www.zonamerica.com/
http://www.rainbow.com.uy/
http://www.zonafrancarionegro.com.uy/
http://www.zff.com.uy/index2i.htm
The Southron
Left by The Southron on August 31st, 2006