Uruguay is well known for opening the Uruguay Round which was a trade agreement participated by more than 120 countries in 1993. Today’s World Trade Organization was established through the Uruguay Round. Uruguay is also known as the ‘Country of Real Gauchos,’ or Cowboys. Before, the word ‘gaucho’ had the meaning of ‘nomads.’ After the 19th century, however, the meaning changed to ‘cowboys.’ In a small town called Tacuarembo, ‘Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha (Gaucho’s Homeland Festival)’ opens every year. This festival is not only participated by the gauchos from each region of Uruguay, but also by the gauchos from the neighboring countries to boast their skills of taming wild horses. Meanwhile, the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, opens the traditional Uruguay Carnival every New Year’s Day. Comparable with the Brazilian Samba festival, this festival is filled with splendid parades, drama events and music competitions. ‘Punta del Este,’ meaning ‘the Cape in the East,’ is the country’s famous tourist spot visited not only by Uruguayans but also by foreigners. The beach and golf course here are especially famous.

Uruguay Round, gaucho, festival, Punta del Este