• Home
• About
• Contact
• News
• Events
• Resources
• Training
• Church Connections

• Pray
• Serve
• Give

Serve with ABWE

South America: Uruguay

Request Info.

Although it has one of the smallest populations in South America, because it is also one of the smallest countries on that continent, Uruguay's population density is twice that of South America as a whole. Almost half of the country's population lives in Montevideo, the capital city.

Uruguay is governed by a republican democracy, and by an elected president and a legislative body comprised of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Located between Brazil and Argentina along the southeastern coast of South America, Uruguay's climate is mild year-round with temperatures ranging from 72-90 F in the summer (December-February) and 4l-59 F in the winter (June-August). Rain falls during all the seasons, but more frequently during the winter months.

Unlike the other countries of South America, Uruguay has no native population; it was settled by Spanish colonizers in the 1500's, decimating the sparse Indian population. Large waves of European immigrants -- mainly Spanish and Italian -- arrived on the heels of revolution and then independence in 1828.

The European immigrants brought with them a strong interest in culture and education, resulting in a national literacy rate near 100%. The government provides education free of charge to Uruguayan citizens.

The country's greatest natural resource is its fertile land. More than 80% of the land is used in agricultural and livestock industries. Uruguay is known as a world leader in cattle and wool production.

View Larger Map

Despite its Roman Catholic religious heritage, more than one-third of all Uruguayans are professing agnostics or atheists. The Uruguayan people state, "We don't need anything."

The resistant spiritual climate has contributed to social problems such as divorce and abortion. Two-thirds of all marriages end in divorce, according to published studies, while Uruguay's abortion rate is believed to be the highest in Latin America.

While several fundamental mission agencies have been active in Uruguay for a century, the general spiritual resistance of the people has yielded few results despite intensive efforts by the few faithful missionaries.

ABWE is trusting the Lord for workers to minister on this needy field. A strategy for reaching Uruguayans will be drawn up. The ABWE missionaries will seek to transform the current trends of rampant materialism, spiritual apathy and fractured families through evangelism and discipleship.

Uruguay's proximity to Argentina and Brazil offers ABWE missionaries the ability to work in joint efforts in the Southern Cone of South America.

Missionary team members in Uruguay must be willing to persevere despite small visible results.