Uruguay

Written By Dominic de Moura McCarthy
Villa Serrana, Uruguay

Villa Serrana, Uruguay

Uruguay is situated on the southeastern coast of South America, sharing borders with Brazil and Argentina. 

In 1954, Australia and Uruguay first established diplomatic relations. Australia has an Honorary Consulate located in Montevideo. Uruguay opened a Consulate-General in Australia 1954 and an Embassy in 1958. Both countries share mutual interests in agriculture, infrastructure and mining. In 2011, the Uruguay-Australia Chamber was established to promote and develop bilateral economic relations between the two countries. Australia and Uruguay signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty in 2019.

  • Capital: Montevideo

  • Population: 3.449 million

  • GDP: $59.6 billion USD

Did you know? 

  • The name of the country comes from the Uruguay River, meaning river of the painted birds in the Guarani language. The river forms the border between Uruguay and Argentina. 

  • Uruguay is the only country in Latin America that is situated entirely outside the tropics

  • Uruguay has won the most Copa America titles with 15 wins

There are nearly 9,000 Australians currently living in Australia who were born in Uruguay and another almost 8,000 who are of Uruguayan descent and residing in Australia. 

RECIPE: CHIVITO

Not to be confused with the Argentinian barbecue delicacy, the Uruguayan chivito (meaning baby goat) is in fact goat-free. This hearty sandwich boasts as many layers of steak, bacon, eggs, ham, cheese and tomato that you can fit between two slices of bread. Enjoy!

Recipe – Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tomatoes

Lettuce

4 hamburger buns

4 sandwich steaks

1 tablespoon of oil

4 eggs

4 thick slices of mozzarella cheese

4 slices of ham

Salt, to taste

Mayonnaise, to taste

Method

1.      Cut the tomato into slices, season with salt. Wash the lettuce and pat dry.

2.      Open the bread and toast lightly. Cover each half with a thin layer of mayonnaise.

3.      Season the cuts of meat with salt on both sides.

4.      In a frypan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over high heat. Cook the meat for 1 minute per side. Remove to a plate and cover to keep warm.

5.      Fry the eggs in the same pan.

6.      Assemble the sandwich: bread, cut of meat, slice of ham, cheese, tomato, lettuce and fried egg. Cover with the other half of the bread and serve immediately.

(Source: Adapted from https://www.quericavida.com/recetas/chivito-uruguayo/90e083a4-e405-4c57-a330-353ff64ea449)

Dominic de Moura McCarthy
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