Culture

Uruguay's population has the highest proportion of Caucasians in the Americas (85%), higher even than the United States and Canada. But although no indigenous people survived after independence, the country's current population (the vast majority of which is of European descent) has a rich cultural heritage.

Uruguay is the land of gauchos, skillful horsemen and cattle herders, which to this day continue to dress in typical attire and observe traditional customs.

It is the cradle of tango music, the land of its acknowledged anthem, La Cumparsita, and the birthplace of Carlos Gardel, the greatest tango singer and songwriter of all times. Here you can also learn to dance tango, at the many specialized academies of Montevideo.

In February, Uruguay is home to the world's longest carnival. A mixture of the Latin and the European, Uruguay's cultural map offers world-class plays, operas, rock concerts, jazz festivals and baroque music. Just about everything is available in Uruguay.