HISTORY & CULTURE
Uruguay is perhaps the most unique country in South America. Politically and economically stable for almost half a century, with a crime rate lower than the United States, and almost 100% literacy, Uruguay has long been the banking center of South America. Known both as the Switzerland of South America for the strength and stability of its banking system and as the Riviera of South America for its miles of uninterrupted pristine beaches and opulent resorts, Uruguay straddles and combines two cultures, European and indigenous, to create a sophisticated nation with unique cultural traditions.

Spanish settlers founded Montevideo, the capital and largest city, in 1726 in response to the growing influence of the Portuguese in the River Plate area. It was the rivalry between Uruguay's neighbors Brazil and Argentina that led to the country's independence in 1828, when it became a buffer zone between the two powers, thanks to a British-mediated treaty.

Montevideo's port was superior to Buenos Aires' in many respects, making it a focal point for overseas shipping. The British, who dominated Uruguayan shipping, also built a railroad network between 1860 and 1911, which greatly assisted Montevideo's growth. Like Buenos Aires, in the early 20th century the prospering city began to absorb a large number of European immigrants (mostly from Spain and Italy). By 1908 more than 30% of Montevideo's population was foreign-born, the source of the city's rich cultural diversity.

Montevideo is a city of contrasts. Easily confused with a vibrant European metropolis with Spanish, British and Italian architecture, wide boulevards and dynamic and verdant plazas, Montevideo has both the hustle and bustle of a major modern city and the quiet charm and elegance of a colonial South American capital. With a population of 1.5 million, Montevideo has one of the highest quality of life ratings in the world, a plethora of museums focusing on everything from indigenous to modern art, beautiful beaches, a vast culinary diversity and all manner of exciting entertainment.

The Uruguayan Tourism Ministry has designated The Fútbol Factory as a Cultural Interest Organization. As such, our program participants have unparalleled access to a variety of museums and places of historic interest, such as the Colonia del Sacramento-designated a patrimony of the world by UNESCO-which can only serve to enrich the total experience of its students.