Uruguay is after Surinam the second smallest country in South America. This country at the Rio de la Plata and the South American Atlantic Coast covers about 177'410 square kilometers and is thereby approximately the half size of Germany. The whole population is only about 3.131 million. More than one third, approximately 1.248 million, live in the capital Montevideo. The population of the country divides on 88% white, 8% mestizo and 4% black and the official language is Spanish. The official state name Republica Oriental del Uruguayis has simultaneous a geographical description: Republic east the Rio Uruguay.