126-1101: Candombe is a style of music and dance that originated in Uruguay among the descendants of liberated African slaves . In 2009, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed candombe in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity . To a lesser extent, candombe is practiced in Argentina , Paraguay , and Brazil . In Argentina, it can be found in Buenos Aires , Santa Fe , Paraná , and Corrientes . In Paraguay, this tradition continues in Camba Cuá and in Fernando de la Mora near Asunción . In Brazil, candombe retains its religious character and can be found in
252-493: A 1914 census. The higher pay in Argentina compared to Europe for manual labor attracted many immigrants causing crowded cities and higher crime. Between 1887 and 1912 Buenos Aires's population tripled while the number of crimes reported increased seven times. In Buenos Aires, it was estimated that an average immigrant family contained five people in a one-room house that was twelve by twelve feet. The crowded cities were also
378-475: A bigger emphasis on European culture. In this context, afroporteños replicated their ancestral cultural patterns increasingly into their private life. For this reason, onwards from 1862, the press, intellectuals and politicians began to assert the misconception of Afro-Argentine disappearance that has remained in the imagination of ordinary people from Argentina. Many researchers agree that the Candombe, through
504-549: A central point in crime. There was a rapid increase in thieves, pickpockets, racketeers, and prostitution making large cities like Buenos Aires infamous by 1914. Argentina's unemployment also rose, further increasing poverty rates. It is estimated that 73% of the inmates in the Buenos Aires beggars' asylum were foreigners. Cultural The mass amount of immigration in Argentina created a melting pot for many different cultures. The mix of European and Native cultures led to
630-624: A change to the social structure of Argentina. The Constitution of 1853 explicitly encouraged European immigrants as a tool to civilize and whiten the Argentine population. The elites (the descendants of the Spanish colonial ruling class, along with a small group of wealthy European immigrants) believed that the Native peoples of Argentina should be part of the Argentine society culturally and identically and that European immigrants could industrialise
756-511: A cold wind ( pampero ) from the Argentine Pampas . Even though both temperature and precipitation are quite uniform nationwide, there are considerable differences across the territory. The average annual temperature of the country is 17.5 °C (63.5 °F), ranging from 16 °C (61 °F) in the southeast to 19 °C (66 °F) in the northwest. Winter temperatures range from a daily average of 11 °C (52 °F) in
882-469: A combination of both. They are usually structured in the form of dialogue and are interpreted solo, responsorial, antiphonal or in group. Although singing is usually a feminine practice, men may be involved. Where there is more than one voice, they are always in unison. A full Candombe group, collectively known as a Comparsa Lubola (composed of blackened white people, traditionally with burnt corks) or Candombera (composed of black people), constitutes
1008-489: A distinction between Argentines and citizens for the exercise of political rights, it defined as Argentines as “all individuals born or to be born in the territory of the Republic, no matter the nationality of their parents” and also as "children of native Argentines who, having been born in a foreign country, opt for Argentine citizenship". Therefore, a strong Jus Soli and a Jus sanguinis were both established. During
1134-591: A fire to heat the drums and play candombe music, especially during the night in certain neighborhoods such as Barrio Sur and Palermo in Montevideo. The typical characters on the parade represent the old white masters during slavery in old Montevideo city. It was a mockery to their lifestyle with a rebel spirit for freedom and a way to remember the African origins. In 1913, an anonymous dance historian identified only as "Viejo Tanguero" ("Old Tangoer") wrote about
1260-640: A five-year term based on proportional representation ; and the Chamber of Senators , consisting of 31 members, 30 of whom are elected for a five-year term by proportional representation, and the vice-president, who presides over the chamber and has the right to vote. The judicial arm is exercised by the Supreme Court , the Bench, and Judges nationwide. The members of the Supreme Court are elected by
1386-456: A major financial center of the region and an entrepôt for goods from Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The Colorado leader José Batlle y Ordóñez was elected president in 1903. The following year, the Blancos led a rural revolt, and eight bloody months of fighting ensued before their leader, Aparicio Saravia , was killed in battle. Government forces emerged victorious, leading to the end of
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#17327977375571512-458: A massive Carnival parade called Las Llamadas ("calls") and vie with each other in official competitions in the Teatro de Verano theatre. During Las Llamadas , members of the comparsa often wear costumes that reflect the music's historical roots in the slave trade, such as sun hats and black face-paint. The monetary prizes are modest; more important aspects include enjoyment, the fostering of
1638-416: A minimum needs three drummers, one on each part. A full cuerda will have 50–100 drummers, commonly with rows of seven or five drummers, mixing the three types of drums. A typical row of five can be piano-chico-repique-chico-piano, with the row behind having repique-chico-piano-chico-repique and so on to the last row. Tamboriles are made of wood with animal skins that are rope-tuned or fire-tuned minutes before
1764-408: A mockery by all the dancers. The seeds of candombe originated in present-day Angola , where it was taken to South America during the 17th and 18th centuries by people who had been sold as slaves in the kingdom of Kongo , Anziqua, Nyong, Quang and others, mainly by Portuguese slave traders. The same cultural carriers of candombe colonized Brazil (especially in the area of Salvador de Bahia), Cuba, and
1890-474: A negative impact on some parts of the European population. Technological innovation ruined the traditional activities of many rural laborers and artisans, who chose emigration as an alternative to proletarianization and sought to practice their activities in their destination countries. In Northern Italy the spread of the mechanical loom harmed peasants who carried out work at home with hand looms. While Europe
2016-512: A new mestizo culture and a "formation of an identity that was not European nor indigenous." The Italian immigrants brought new cultural touchstones such as the Italian language, hand gestures, and different foods to Argentina. In addition, many communities like the Jewish, German, and Welsh communities also kept some traditional cultural elements while mixing in with the native population along with
2142-399: A new middle class. Source: National Directorate of Migrations (DNM). Economically, Argentina benefited from European immigration. During the wave of European immigration, Argentina’s percentage of world GDP grew from 0.99% to 2.42% as a result of immigrant labor. Immigration helped connect Argentina to the global economy, as a 10% increase in immigrants from a particular origin country
2268-468: A peace agreement was signed in 1872 that gave the Blancos a share in the emoluments and functions of government through control of four of the departments of Uruguay . This establishment of the policy of co-participation represented the search for a new formula of compromise based on the coexistence of the party in power and the opposition party. Despite this agreement, the Colorado rule was threatened by
2394-453: A political response to racial and social questions posed by an influx of Europeans. One reason European immigration slowed during the early 20th century was because Argentine elites began to criticize the nation's unrestricted European migration. Elitist-owned newspapers created anti-immigration propaganda to discourage migration with the hopes of also decreasing crime and unemployment. Newspapers often contained descriptions that "stereotyped
2520-528: A river snail called uruguá ( Pomella megastoma ) that was plentiful across its shores. One of the most popular interpretations of the name was proposed by the renowned Uruguayan poet Juan Zorrilla de San Martín , "the river of painted birds"; this interpretation, although dubious, still holds an important cultural significance in the country. In Spanish colonial times and for some time thereafter, Uruguay and some neighboring territories were called Banda Oriental [del Uruguay] ("Eastern Bank [of
2646-578: A sense of pride and the winning of respect from peers. Intense performances can cause damage to red blood cells, which manifests as rust-colored urine immediately after drumming. Uruguay in South America Uruguay ( / ˈ jʊər ə ɡ w aɪ / YOOR -ə-gwy , Spanish: [uɾuˈɣwaj] ), officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay ( Spanish : República Oriental del Uruguay ),
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#17327977375572772-399: A strap on the shoulder and are played in a street parade. The latter are higher than those, and played for granted. Both types of drums, are played only with both hands. Sometimes others drums are played: the "macú" and the "sopipa". Both are made from hollowed tree trunk, the first is performed lying on the floor, as it is the largest and deepest drum; and the "Sopipa" which is small and acute,
2898-595: A strong influence on the government. A transition period (1886–90) followed, during which politicians began recovering lost ground, and some civilian participation in government occurred. After the Guerra Grande , there was a sharp rise in the number of immigrants, primarily from Italy and Spain. By 1879, the total population of the country was over 438,500. The economy reflected a steep upswing (if demonstrated graphically, above all other related economic determinants) in livestock raising and exports. Montevideo became
3024-516: A zone of contention between the Spanish and Portuguese empires. In 1603, the Spanish began introducing cattle, which became a source of regional wealth. The first permanent Spanish settlement was founded in 1624 at Soriano on the Río Negro . In 1669–71, the Portuguese built a fort at Colonia del Sacramento (Colônia do Sacramento). Montevideo , the current capital of Uruguay, was founded by
3150-470: Is a unitary state : justice, education, health, security, foreign policy and defense are all administered nationwide. The executive power is exercised by the president and a cabinet of 14 ministers. The legislative power is constituted by the General Assembly , composed of two chambers : the Chamber of Representatives , consisting of 99 members representing the 19 departments, elected for
3276-693: Is a country in South America . It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast, while bordering the Río de la Plata to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. It is part of the Southern Cone region of South America . Uruguay covers an area of approximately 176,215 square kilometres (68,037 sq mi). It has a population of around 3.4 million, of whom nearly 2 million live in
3402-458: Is celebrated as Independence Day, a national holiday . The nation's first constitution was adopted on 18 July 1830. At the time of independence, Uruguay had an estimated population of just under 75,000. The political scene in Uruguay became split between two parties: the conservative Blancos (Whites), headed by the second President Manuel Oribe , representing the agricultural interests of
3528-501: Is danced only by the compadritos of the city, who have created it as a mockery of the dances the blacks hold in their own places". Lynch's report was interpreted by Robert Farris Thompson in Tango: The Art of Love as meaning that city compadritos danced milonga, not rural gauchos. Thompson notes that the population of city toughs dancing milonga would have included blacks and mulattoes, and that it would not have been danced as
3654-572: Is estimated that at the time of the first contact with Europeans in the 16th century, there were about 9,000 Charrúa and 6,000 Chaná and some Guaraní island settlements. There is an extensive archeological collection of man-made tumuli known as " Cerritos de Indios " in the eastern part of the country, some of them dating back to 5,000 years ago. Very little is known about the people who built them as they left no written record, but evidence has been found in place of pre-Columbian agriculture and of extinct pre-Columbian dogs . The Portuguese were
3780-410: Is played hung on the shoulder or held between the knees. Among the idiophones that always accompany the drums are the "taba" and "mazacalla", being able to add: the "quijada", the "quisanche", and the " chinesco ”. The Argentine Candombe is a vocal-instrumental practice, all the same to be played sitting or street parade. There is a large repertoire of songs in African languages archaic, in Spanish or in
3906-414: Is played with two types of drums, played exclusively by men. Those drums are: “llamador” (also called "base", "tumba", "quinto" or "tumba base"), and "repicador" (also called "contestador", "repiqueteador" or "requinto"). The first is a bass drum, and the second is a sharp drum. There are two models of each of the drums: one made in hollowed trunk, and the other made with staves. The first type are hung with
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4032-551: Is the second smallest sovereign nation in South America (after Suriname ) and the third smallest territory ( French Guiana is the smallest). The landscape features mostly rolling plains and low hill ranges ( cuchillas ) with a fertile coastal lowland. Uruguay has 660 km (410 mi) of coastline . The highest point in the country is the Cerro Catedral , whose peak reaches 514 metres (1,686 ft) AMSL in
4158-480: The African diaspora and their descendants. It came to refer to the dance style in general, and the term was adopted in Uruguay as well. In Uruguay, candombe fused multiple African dance traditions into a complex choreography. Movements are energetic, and steps are improvised to suit. Lately, some artists have incorporated this genre to their compositions, and have also created groups and NGOs of Afro-descendants, as
4284-534: The Banda Oriental in particular. The assembly refused to seat the delegates from the Banda Oriental; however, Buenos Aires pursued a system based on unitary centralism. As a result, Artigas broke with Buenos Aires and besieged Montevideo, taking the city in early 1815. Once the troops from Buenos Aires had withdrawn, the Banda Oriental appointed its first autonomous government. Artigas organized
4410-584: The Broad Front coalition. At the same time, centre-right National Party 's Luis Lacalle Pou was sworn in as the new President of Uruguay . A 2010 Latinobarómetro poll found that, within Latin America, Uruguayans are among the most supportive of democracy and by far the most satisfied with the way democracy works in their country. Uruguay ranked 27th in the Freedom House " Freedom in
4536-652: The Federal League under his protection, consisting of six provinces, five of which later became part of Argentina. In 1816, 10,000 Portuguese troops invaded the Banda Oriental from Brazil; they took Montevideo in January 1817. After nearly four more years of struggle, the Portuguese Kingdom of Brazil annexed the Banda Oriental as a province under the name of " Cisplatina ". The Brazilian Empire became independent of Portugal in 1822. In response to
4662-705: The French , Jews , Arabs , Germans , and others. In 1895, in the city of Buenos Aires, foreigners outnumbered natives, and in Santa Fe province , almost 42% of its population was foreign. This rapid influx of European migrants led to immense population growth in Argentina. This was reflected in the national censuses: in 1869 the population amounted to around one million seven hundred and forty thousand inhabitants; in 1895 it had more than doubled, with nearly four million, and in 1914 it doubled again, with almost eight million. The migrants have been incredibly influential in
4788-633: The Köppen climate classification , most of the country has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Only in some spots of the Atlantic Coast and at the summit of the highest hills of the Cuchilla Grande the climate is oceanic (Cfb). The country experiences four seasons, with summer from December to March and winter from June to September. Seasonal variations are pronounced, but extremes in temperature are rare. Summers are tempered by winds off
4914-648: The Napoleonic Wars . Montevideo was occupied by British forces from February to September 1807. In 1811, José Gervasio Artigas , who became Uruguay's national hero, launched a successful revolt against the Spanish authorities , defeating them on 18 May at the Battle of Las Piedras . In 1813, the new government in Buenos Aires convened a constituent assembly where Artigas emerged as a champion of federalism, demanding political and economic autonomy for each area and
5040-647: The Partido Colorado has been in government. However, in the 2004 Uruguayan general election , the Broad Front won an absolute majority in Parliamentary elections, and in 2009, José Mujica of the Broad Front defeated Luis Alberto Lacalle of the Blancos to win the presidency . In March 2020, Uruguay got a conservative government, meaning the end of 15 years of left-wing leadership under
5166-735: The Sierra Carapé hill range. To the southwest is the Río de la Plata , the estuary of the Uruguay River (the river which forms the country's western border). A dense fluvial network covers the country, consisting of four river basins, or deltas: the Río de la Plata Basin , the Uruguay River , the Laguna Merín , and the Río Negro. The major internal river is the Río Negro ('Black River'). Several lagoons are found along
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5292-685: The Spanish Civil War , the Armenian Genocide , the pogroms in the Russian Empire and other acts of antisemitism. Economically, the instability caused by the Long Depression (1873-1899) was one of the main reasons for so many to migrate. The crises had a huge impact in the agricultural sector, as the price of grain in 1894 was only a third what it had been in 1867. In Spain, the commercial break with France at
5418-521: The candombe in favor of practicing European dances such as the waltz , schottische , and mazurka . Following this new twist, other Uruguayans began to imitate the steps and movements. Calling themselves Los Negros, upper class porteños in the 1860s and 1870s performed blackface and formed one of the carnival processions each year. African-Uruguayans organized candombe dances every Sunday and on special holidays such as New Year's Eve, Christmas, Saint Baltasar, Rosary Virgin and Saint Benito. They would set
5544-419: The cuerda , a group of female dancers known as mulatas , and several stock characters, each with their own specific dances. The stock characters include: Candombe is performed regularly in the streets of old Montevideo's south neighbourhood in January and February, during Uruguay's Carnival period, and also in the rest of the country. All the comparsas , of which there are 80 or 90 in existence, participate in
5670-475: The demographic makeup of Argentina , drastically changing the ethnic structure and increasing the urban population (from 28% in 1969 to 57% in 1930). Also, they introduced political concepts like labor unions, socialism and anarchism into the country's political zeitgeist. The remnants of the Immigration Wave of migrants are still visible in Argentina today, not only as a result of their influence on
5796-648: The metropolitan area of its capital and largest city , Montevideo . The area that became Uruguay was first inhabited by groups of hunter-gatherers 13,000 years ago. The predominant tribe at the moment of the arrival of Europeans was the Charrúa people. At the same time, there were also other tribes, such as the Guaraní and the Chaná , when the Portuguese first established Colonia do Sacramento in 1680; Uruguay
5922-602: The 1853 Constitution in its article 20 and 25 said the following: Article 20.- Foreigners enjoy all the civil rights of citizens in the territory of the Confederation: they may exercise their industry, commerce and profession; own real estate, purchase and transfer it; navigate the rivers and coasts; freely practice their religion; make wills and marry according to the law. They are not obliged to accept citizenship, nor to pay extraordinary compulsory contributions. They obtain naturalization by residing two continuous years in
6048-415: The 1877 creation of a dance referred to as a tango but featuring ideas from the candombe . This dance, which later became known as "soft tango," was created by African Argentines. Writing in 1883, dance scholar and folklorist Ventura Lynch described the influence of Afro-Argentine dancers on the compadritos ("tough guys") who apparently frequented Afro-Argentine dance venues. Lynch wrote, "the milonga
6174-482: The 19th century the word "Tango", but at that time not yet with its present meaning. Today, candombe is still practiced by Afro-Argentine and non-black populations across Argentina. In Corrientes Province , candombe is part of the religious feast of San Baltasar , a folk patron saint for Black Argentines. The word candombe comes from a Kikongo word meaning "pertaining to blacks," and was originally used in Buenos Aires to refer to dancing societies formed by members of
6300-581: The Atlantic coast. Montevideo is the southernmost national capital in the Americas and the third most southerly in the world (after Canberra and Wellington ). Uruguay is the only country in South America situated entirely south of the Tropic of Capricorn , and is the southernmost sovereign state in the world when ordered by northernmost point of latitude . There are ten national parks in Uruguay : Five in
6426-577: The Atlantic, and severe cold in winter is unknown. Although it never gets too cold, frosts occur every year during the winter months, and precipitation such as sleet and hail occur almost every winter, but snow is very rare; it does occur every couple of years at higher elevations, but almost always without accumulation. As would be expected with its abundance of water, high humidity, and fog are common. The absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, makes all locations vulnerable to high winds and rapid changes in weather as fronts or storms sweep across
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#17327977375576552-523: The Blanco president Manuel Oribe was a close friend of the Argentine ruler Manuel de Rosas . On 15 June 1838, an army led by the Colorado leader Rivera overthrew President Oribe, who fled to Argentina. Rivera declared war on Rosas in 1839. The conflict would last 13 years and become known as the Guerra Grande (the Great War). In 1843, an Argentine army overran Uruguay on Oribe's behalf but failed to take
6678-560: The Blancos continued to support the Colorados on most issues. Low commodity prices and economic difficulties in Uruguay's main export markets (starting in Brazil with the devaluation of the real , then in Argentina in 2002 ) caused a severe recession; the economy contracted by 11%, unemployment climbed to 21%, and the percentage of Uruguayans in poverty rose to over 30%. In 2004, Uruguayans elected Tabaré Vázquez as president while giving
6804-413: The Broad Front a majority in both houses of Parliament. Vázquez stuck to economic orthodoxy. As commodity prices soared and the economy recovered from the recession, he tripled foreign investment, cut poverty and unemployment, cut public debt from 79% of GDP to 60%, and kept inflation steady. In 2009, José Mujica , a former left-wing guerrilla leader (Tupamaros) who spent almost 15 years in prison during
6930-487: The Confederation; but the authority may shorten this period in favor of the person who requests it, alleging and proving service to the Republic. Article 25.- The Federal Government shall encourage European immigration; and may not restrict, limit or impose any tax on the entry into Argentine territory of foreigners who bring the purpose of working the land, improving industries and introducing and teaching science and
7056-682: The General Assembly; the members of the Bench are selected by the Supreme Court with the consent of the Senate, and the Judges are directly assigned by the Supreme Court. Uruguay adopted its current constitution in 1967. Many of its provisions were suspended in 1973, but re-established in 1985. Drawing on Switzerland and its use of the initiative, the Uruguayan Constitution also allows citizens to repeal laws or to change
7182-559: The Guerra Grande finally came to an end. Montevideo rewarded Brazil's support by signing treaties that confirmed Brazil's right to intervene in Uruguay's internal affairs. In accordance with the 1851 treaties, Brazil intervened militarily in Uruguay as often as it deemed necessary. In 1865, the Triple Alliance was formed by the emperor of Brazil , the president of Argentina , and the Colorado general Venancio Flores ,
7308-607: The Misibamba Association, Afro-Argentines of Buenos Aires Community. However, it is important to note that the Uruguayan Candombe is the most practiced in Argentina, both due to immigration from Uruguay and to the seductiveness of the rhythm that captivates the Argentines. For this reason they learn the music, dance and characters and recreate something similar. Uruguayan Candombe is played much in
7434-669: The Río de la Plata with its capital Buenos Aires and Montevideo. The different histories and experiences in these regions branched out from the common origin, giving rise to different rhythms. The African influence was not foreign to Argentina, where the candombe also has been developed with specific characteristics. A population of black African slaves had been present in Buenos Aires since around 1580. However, miscegenation with an increasingly white population (as Argentina received up to 6 million European immigrants ) and structural racism (such as state-sponsored blanqueamiento policies) led to
7560-470: The Spanish Empire, maintained a culture somewhat similar to that of Europeans. These favorable conditions would encourage foreigners to emigrate to Argentina As a result of the immigration wave, Argentina's population was roughly four times larger in 1914 than it was in 1870. Roughly 6.6 million Europeans immigrated to Argentina within this timeframe. While immigrants came from all over Europe,
7686-617: The Spanish and Italian cultures. While political elites had favored and fostered European immigration, these immigrants created new political demands among the polity that were not so aligned with the ideas of those in power. A diversity of cultural ideals, a growing middle class, and activism of immigrants who had fled their home country because of their political beliefs created a rich union, socialist, and anarchist presence in Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires. By 1901, movements fueled by Spanish, Italian, and French immigrants had organized and were enacting labor strikes and protests against
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#17327977375577812-554: The Spanish in the early 18th century as a military stronghold. Its natural harbor soon developed into a commercial area competing with Río de la Plata 's capital, Buenos Aires . Uruguay's early 19th-century history was shaped by ongoing fights for dominance in the Platine region between British, Spanish, Portuguese, and other colonial forces. In 1806 and 1807, the British army attempted to seize Buenos Aires and Montevideo as part of
7938-481: The UK, Belgium, and Japan. Great European immigration wave to Argentina The Great European Immigration Wave to Argentina was the period of greatest immigration in Argentine history, which occurred approximately from the 1860s to the 1960s, when more than six million Europeans arrived in Argentina. The wave consisted largely of Italian and Spanish immigrants. With other significant groups that arrived including
8064-529: The United States reached the Italian market at prices much more competitive than domestic production. The effect of this wave of early globalization in Italy, as in other countries, was economic stagnation and increasing social conflicts. About a quarter of the population relied on charity in one form or another. Also, the unification of Italy in 1861–70 broke down the feudal land system that had survived in
8190-443: The Uruguay River]"), then for a few years the " Eastern Province ". Since its independence, the country has been known as " República Oriental del Uruguay ", which literally translates to " Republic East of the Uruguay [River]". However, it is officially translated either as the " Oriental Republic of Uruguay " or the " Eastern Republic of Uruguay ". Uruguay was first inhabited around 13,000 years ago by hunter-gatherers . It
8316-408: The Uruguayan head of government whom they both had helped to gain power. The Triple Alliance declared war on the Paraguayan leader Francisco Solano López . The resulting Paraguayan War ended with the invasion of Paraguay and its defeat by the armies of the three countries. Montevideo was used as a supply station by the Brazilian navy, and it experienced a period of prosperity and relative calm during
8442-400: The World " index. According to the V-Dem Democracy indices in 2023, Uruguay ranked 31st in the world on electoral democracy and 2nd behind Switzerland on citizen-initiated direct democracy. Uruguay shared 14th place along with Canada, Estonia, and Iceland as least corrupt in the World Corruption Perceptions Index composed by Transparency International in 2022, beating out countries such as
8568-476: The annexation, the Thirty-Three Orientals , led by Juan Antonio Lavalleja , declared independence on 25 August 1825, supported by the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (present-day Argentina). This led to the 500-day-long Cisplatine War . Neither side gained the upper hand, and in 1828, the Treaty of Montevideo , fostered by the United Kingdom through the diplomatic efforts of Viscount John Ponsonby , gave birth to Uruguay as an independent state. 25 August
8694-406: The arts. Former president and thinker Domingo Faustino Sarmiento also believed that European immigration would develop Argentina. He argued that Argentina's great dilemma was between civilization and barbarism. Like many thinkers of his time, he understood that civilization was identified with Europe, which he saw as the source of progress for Argentina in his famous essay "Facundo". While barbarism
8820-468: The beginning of the 1890s was fundamental as well, since it closed the market to which most of its agricultural production was directed. This caused the ruin of a large part of the Spanish peasantry, with many being forced to emigrate. Italy is a notable example of the economic difficulties faced during that time, with many Italian agricultural laborers living close to starvation. Since the cost of transoceanic transport had significantly decreased, wheat from
8946-423: The capital. The siege of Montevideo , began in February 1843 and lasted nine years. The besieged Uruguayans called on resident foreigners for help, which led to a French and an Italian legion being formed, the latter led by the exiled Giuseppe Garibaldi . In 1845, Britain and France intervened against Rosas to restore commerce to normal levels in the region. Their efforts proved ineffective, and by 1849, tired of
9072-525: The co-participation politics that had begun in 1872. Batlle had two terms (1903–07 and 1911–15) during which he instituted major reforms, such as a welfare program, government participation in the economy, and a plural executive. Gabriel Terra became president in March 1931. His inauguration coincided with the effects of the Great Depression , and the social climate became tense as a result of
9198-415: The communities’ needs and feelings with regard to their ancestors. The music of candombe is performed by a group of drummers called a cuerda . The barrel-shaped drums, or tamboriles , have specific names according to their size and function: An even larger drum, called bajo or bombo (very large, very low timbre, accent on the fourth beat), was once common but is now declining in use. A cuerda at
9324-431: The constitution by popular initiative, which culminates in a nationwide referendum . This method has been used several times over the past 15 years: to confirm a law renouncing prosecution of members of the military who violated human rights during the military regime (1973–1985); to stop privatization of public utility companies; to defend pensioners' incomes; and to protect water resources. For most of Uruguay's history,
9450-445: The country's economic and political history, but as cultural cornerstones in both urban and rural communities alike. The main factor behind the great wave of immigration to Argentina was the rise of steamship technologies. It greatly facilitated inter-oceanic migration, and made Europe much more vulnerable to mass emigration from any event affecting society. By the end of the 19th century, sea passages became relatively accessible, and
9576-457: The country's military rule, emerged as the new president as the Broad Front won the election for a second time. Abortion was legalized in 2012, followed by same-sex marriage and cannabis in the following year, making Uruguay the first country in the modern era to legalize cannabis. In 2014, Tabaré Vázquez was elected to a non-consecutive second presidential term, which began on 1 March 2015. In 2020, after 15 years of left-wing rule, he
9702-496: The country. These storms can be strong; they can bring squalls , hail , and sometimes even tornadoes . The country experiences extratropical cyclones but no tropical cyclones, due to the fact that the South Atlantic Ocean is rarely warm enough for their development. Both summer and winter weather may vary from day to day with the passing of storm fronts, where a hot northerly wind may occasionally be followed by
9828-467: The countryside, and the liberal Colorados (Reds), led by the first President Fructuoso Rivera , representing the business interests of Montevideo. The Uruguayan parties received support from warring political factions in neighboring Argentina , which became involved in Uruguayan affairs. The Colorados favored the exiled Argentine liberal Unitarios , many of whom had taken refuge in Montevideo, while
9954-502: The development of the Milonga, is an essential component in the genesis of Argentine tango. This musical rhythm influenced, especially the "Sureña Milonga". In fact, tango , milonga and candombe form a musical triptych from the same African roots, but with different developments. Initially, the practice of Candombe was practiced exclusively by black people, who had designed special places called “Tangós”. This word originated sometime in
10080-490: The economy did not improve and deteriorated after 1980; the gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 20%, and unemployment rose to 17%. The state intervened by trying to bail out failing companies and banks. A new constitution, drafted by the military, was rejected in a November 1980 referendum. Following the referendum, the armed forces announced a plan for the return to civilian rule, and national elections were held in 1984. Colorado Party leader Julio María Sanguinetti won
10206-605: The failed Tricolor Revolution in 1875 and the Revolution of the Quebracho in 1886. The Colorado effort to reduce Blancos to only three departments caused a Blanco uprising of 1897, which ended with creating 16 departments, of which the Blancos now had control over six. Blancos were given ⅓ seats in Congress. This division of power lasted until President Jose Batlle y Ordonez instituted his political reforms, which caused
10332-403: The first Europeans to enter the region of present-day Uruguay in 1512. The Spanish arrived in present-day Uruguay in 1515 but were the first to set foot in the area, claiming it for the crown. The indigenous peoples' fierce resistance to conquest , combined with the absence of valuable resources, limited European settlement in the region during the 16th and 17th centuries. Uruguay then became
10458-406: The first half of the 19th century. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, numerous pioneering economic, labor, and social reforms were implemented, which led to the creation of a highly developed welfare state, which is why the country began to be known as "Switzerland of the Americas". However, a series of economic crises and the fight against far-left urban guerrilla warfare in
10584-464: The government. President Jorge Pacheco declared a state of emergency in 1968, followed by a further suspension of civil liberties in 1972. In 1973, amid increasing economic and political turmoil, the armed forces, asked by President Juan María Bordaberry , disbanded Parliament and established a civilian-military regime . The CIA -backed campaign of political repression and state terror involving intelligence operations and assassination of opponents
10710-429: The government. In response, the government began deporting immigrants that they felt threatened their institutions, whether they were criminals or political agitators, via a new Residency Law. Italians, Spaniards, and Jewish Argentines in particular were targets of prejudice and back lash, being targeted by policing in urban areas due to assumed criminality. The turn of the century saw increased regulation of immigration,
10836-506: The lack of jobs. There were confrontations in which police and leftists died. In 1933, Terra organized a coup d'état, dissolving the General Assembly and governing by decree. A new constitution was promulgated in 1934, transferring powers to the president. In general, the Terra government weakened or neutralized economic nationalism and social reform. In 1938, general elections were held, and Terra's brother-in-law, General Alfredo Baldomir ,
10962-475: The last uprising by Blancos in 1904 that ended with the Battle of Masoller and the death of Blanco leader Aparicio Saravia . Between 1875 and 1890, the military became the center of power. During this authoritarian period, the government took steps toward the organization of the country as a modern state, encouraging its economic and social transformation. Pressure groups (consisting mainly of businessmen, hacendados , and industrialists) were organized and had
11088-568: The late 1960s and early 1970s culminated in the 1973 coup d'état , which established a civic-military dictatorship until 1985. Uruguay is today a democratic constitutional republic , with a president who serves as both head of state and head of government . Uruguay is described as a "full democracy" and is highly ranked in international measurements of government transparency, economic freedom, social progress, income equality , per capita income , innovation, and infrastructure. The country has fully legalized cannabis (the first country in
11214-478: The main source countries like Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Therefore, many Europeans went to Argentina in search of better living conditions. In addition, Argentina was going through a process of political pacification and consolidation of its institutions, giving an end to an era marked by several civil wars . From the 1850s into the early 1900s, Argentina's national policy was one of maximizing immigration: The idea of attracting European immigration to Argentina
11340-561: The neighborhoods of San Telmo, Montserrat and La Boca. While the Argentine variety had less local diffusion (compared with the diffusion that occurred in Uruguay), mainly by the decrease of population of black African origin, its mixing with white immigrants and the prohibition of the carnival during the last dictatorship. The Afroargentine Candombe is only played by the Afro-Argentines in the privacy of their homes, mainly located in
11466-436: The outskirts of Buenos Aires. Recently, due to a change in strategy by the Afro-Argentines to move from concealment to visibility, there are increased efforts to perform it in public places, onstage and in street parades. Among the groups who play Afroargentine Candombe are: “Tambores del Litoral” (union of “Balikumba” from Santa Fe, and “Candombes del Litoral” from Parana, Entre Ríos), “Bakongo” (these, have their own web page),
11592-969: The performance. They are worn at the waist with the aid of a shoulder strap called a talig or talí and played with one stick and one hand. A key rhythmic figure in candombe is the clave (in 3–2 form). It is played on the side of the drum, a procedure known as " hacer madera " (literally, "making wood"). Among the most important and traditional Montevidean rhythms are: Cuareim, Ansina and Cordon. There are several master drummers who have kept Candombe alive uninterrupted for two hundred years. Some of highlights are: in Ansina school: Wáshington Ocampo, Héctor Suárez, Pedro "Perico" Gularte, Eduardo "Cacho" Giménez, Julio Giménez, Raúl "Pocho" Magariños, Rubén Quirós, Alfredo Ferreira, "Tito" Gradín, Raúl "Maga" Magariños, Luis "Mocambo" Quirós, Fernando "Hurón" Silva, Eduardo "Malumba" Gimenez, Alvaro Salas , Daniel Gradín, Sergio Ortuño y José Luis Giménez. The Afro-Argentine Candombe
11718-445: The presidency and served from 1985 to 1990. The first Sanguinetti administration implemented economic reforms and consolidated democracy following the country's years under military rule. The National Party's Luis Alberto Lacalle won the 1989 presidential election, and a referendum endorsed amnesty for human rights abusers. Sanguinetti was then re-elected in 1994. Both presidents continued the economic structural reforms initiated after
11844-463: The presidency of Nicolás Avellaneda , in 1876, the Immigration and Colonization Act of 1876 was passed and promulgated. The law consists of 121 chapters, half of them dedicated to immigration, and the other half to colonization. Article 45 of the law stated that every immigrant, provided that he "sufficiently demonstrated his good conduct and his aptitude for any industry, art or useful trade", had
11970-550: The primitive country of Argentina in order to provide socioeconomic opportunities and foment the Argentine national identity. " This belief created a national identity where Europeans,along with the Natives and Blacks,could adapt the cultural traditions and values of the Argentine Nation The early waves of immigration did not experience such greater numbers. This was caused by the ongoing Argentine civil wars(after
12096-487: The progressive invisibilization of the Afro-Argentine population. In Buenos Aires, during the two governments of Juan Manuel de Rosas , it was common for “ afroporteños ” (black people of Buenos Aires) to perform candombe in public, even encouraged and visited by Rosas and his daughter, Manuela. Rosas was defeated at the battle of Caseros in 1852, and Buenos Aires began a profound and rapid cultural shift which saw
12222-521: The reinstatement of democracy. The 1999 national elections were held under a new electoral system established by a 1996 constitutional amendment. Colorado Party candidate Jorge Batlle , aided by the support of the National Party, defeated Broad Front candidate Tabaré Vázquez . The formal coalition ended in November 2002, when the Blancos withdrew their ministers from the cabinet, although
12348-589: The right to be housed and maintained at the expense of the State for five days following his disembarkation. In addition, the Public Authority was also responsible for his transfer to the place in the country he chose as residence. On the other hand, when the immigrant so desired, he could obtain employment through the Labor Office. Also, if the immigrant was going to the interior of the country and there
12474-437: The south of the country receives less precipitation than the north. For example, Montevideo receives approximately 1,100 millimetres (43 in) of precipitation per year, while the city of Rivera in the northeast receives 1,600 millimetres (63 in). The heaviest precipitation occurs during the autumn months, although more frequent rainy spells occur in winter. But periods of drought or excessive rain can occur anytime during
12600-572: The south since the Middle Ages (especially where land had been the inalienable property of aristocrats, religious bodies or the king). However the breakdown of feudalism and redistribution of land resulted in many remaining landless and plots being too small, and in turn more unproductive when land was subdivided among heirs. Moreover, Francesco Crispi launched a trade war against France from 1888 to 1898, and it resulted in an economic disaster for Italy. The Second Industrial Revolution also had
12726-417: The south to 14 °C (57 °F) in the north, while summer average daily temperatures range from 21 °C (70 °F) in the southeast to 25 °C (77 °F) in the northwest. The southeast is considerably cooler than the rest of the country, especially during spring, when the ocean with cold water after the winter cools down the temperature of the air and brings more humidity to that region. However,
12852-509: The states of Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul. This Uruguayan music style is based on three different drums: chico, repique, and piano drums. It is usually played in February during carnival in Montevideo at dance parades called llamadas and desfile inaugural del carnaval . According to George Reid Andrews , a historian of black communities in Latin America , after the middle of the 19th century younger black people began to abandon
12978-491: The three most represented countries of origin were Italy, Spain, and France. Collectively, immigrants from these three countries accounted for over 5 million immigrants. While the population increased, Argentine citizenship did not. Legal citizens made up 2.2% of the entire immigrant population by 1914. However, Argentina's Citizenship Law gave citizenship to all persons born in Argentina. The immigrants themselves did not become citizens, but their children did, which would create
13104-420: The time had the highest per capita number of political prisoners in the world. "Kaufman, who spoke at the U.S. Congressional Hearings of 1976 on behalf of Amnesty International , estimated that one in every five Uruguayans went into exile, one in fifty were detained, and one in five hundred went to prison (most of them tortured)." Social spending was reduced, and many state-owned companies were privatized. However,
13230-454: The travel time between European ports and Buenos Aires had significantly shortened. In the 1830s, crossing the Atlantic from Italian ports like Genoa or Livorno in sailboats took more than fifty days. But with steamships, the journey was cut to between 18 and 24 days. Also, Europe was undergoing a period of turmoil which caused mass emigration. Key events included the outbreak of World War I and World War II along with their consequences,
13356-603: The unification of the Argentine state by Buenos Aires in 1861) and,the most notable one,The War of the Triple Alliance (where Paraguay fought to preserve its sovereignty from Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay from 1864 to 1870), the population of Argentina(Criollo,Mestizos Native and Black people) declined in Argentina because of higher mortality rates,warfare(war of independence and Argentine civil wars) and diseases. The new middle class emerged from this influx of European immigrants. The European immigrants provided labor to
13482-427: The untapped Argentine land. In addition to developing agricultural production these immigrants caused an increase in middle-class development. Prior to the 1870s, Argentina exhibited a three-tiered class structure consisting of an elite, a ruling class, and a peasant class. Between 1870 and 1914, the once small middle class grew by 30%. 46% of this emerging socio-economic group were European-born immigrants, according to
13608-462: The war, both withdrew after signing a treaty favorable to Rosas. It appeared that Montevideo would finally fall when an uprising against Rosas, led by Justo José de Urquiza , governor of Argentina's Entre Ríos Province , began. The Brazilian intervention in May 1851 on behalf of the Colorados, combined with the uprising, changed the situation, and Oribe was defeated. The siege of Montevideo was lifted, and
13734-520: The war. The first railway line was assembled in Uruguay in 1867, and a branch consisting of a horse-drawn train was opened. The present-day State Railways Administration of Uruguay maintains 2,900 km of extendable railway network. The constitutional government of General Lorenzo Batlle y Grau (1868–72) suppressed the Revolution of the Lances by the Blancos . After two years of struggle,
13860-567: The wetland areas of the east, three in the central hill country, and one in the west along the Rio Uruguay. Uruguay is home to the Uruguayan savanna terrestrial ecoregion. The country had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 3.61/10, ranking it 147th globally out of 172 countries. Located entirely within the southern temperate zone, Uruguay has a climate that is relatively mild and fairly uniform nationwide. According to
13986-621: The world to do so), as well as same-sex marriage and abortion . It is a founding member of the United Nations , OAS , and Mercosur . The country of Uruguay takes its name from the Río Uruguay , from the Indigenous Guaraní language. There are several interpretations, including "bird-river" ("the river of the uru , via Charruan , urú being a common noun of any wild fowl). The name could also refer to
14112-514: The year. National extreme temperatures at sea level are, 44 °C (111 °F) in Paysandú city (20 January 1943) and Florida city (14 January 2022), and −11.0 °C (12.2 °F) in Melo city (14 June 1967). Uruguay is a representative democratic republic with a presidential system . The members of government are elected for a five-year term by a universal suffrage system. Uruguay
14238-573: The “Comparsa Negros Argentinos” and "Grupo Bum Ke Bum (both from Asociación Misibamba). The latter two are in Gran Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires City and its surroundings). In the late 1960s and early 1970s candombe was mixed with elements from 60s pop music and bossa nova to create a new genre called candombe beat . The origin of this genre was largely said to be the work of Eduardo Mateo, a Uruguayan singer, songwriter and musician together with other musicians such as Jorge Galemire . This style
14364-505: Was a ten percent increase over a twenty year period. The increase in production additionally created a need for increased transportation networks. To build these networks, Argentina again sought and supported immigrant labor. In 1905, Argentine railroad companies sponsored the immigration of more than 20,000 Italians. The population of Argentina grew four-fold over the Great European Immigration Wave causing
14490-477: Was an Immigration Commission at the destination, it had to provide the immigrant with accommodation and food for a period of up to ten days. Geographically, Argentina has easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, its Pampa region is one of the most fertile and extensive areas for cultivation on the planet and its temperature is temperate such as that in most of Europe. Culturally, Argentina, having been part of
14616-412: Was called Operation Condor . According to one source, around 180 Uruguayans are known to have been killed and disappeared, with thousands more illegally detained and tortured during the 12-year civil-military rule from 1973 to 1985. Most were killed in Argentina and other neighboring countries, with 36 of them having been killed in Uruguay. According to Edy Kaufman (cited by David Altman ), Uruguay at
14742-410: Was colonized by Europeans later than its neighboring countries. The Spanish founded Montevideo as a military stronghold in the early 18th century due to competing claims over the region, while Uruguay won its independence between 1811 and 1828, following a four-way struggle between Portugal and Spain, and later Argentina and Brazil. It remained subject to foreign influence and intervention throughout
14868-529: Was elected president. Under pressure from organized labor and the National Party, Baldomir advocated free elections, freedom of the press, and a new constitution. Although Baldomir declared Uruguay neutral in 1939, British warships and the German ship Admiral Graf Spee fought a battle not far off Uruguay's coast. The Admiral Graf Spee took refuge in Montevideo , claiming sanctuary in a neutral port, but
14994-554: Was going through this instability, Argentina experienced its period of greatest economic growth up to that time, due to the huge influx of money caused by the rise of the agroexport model. Argentina possessed an untapped wealth of natural resources that created high demand for both skilled and unskilled labor. In comparison to many other Latin American countries at that time, Argentina offered significantly higher wage opportunities for immigrants, which were also higher than those in some of
15120-629: Was later adopted by Jaime Roos and also heavily influenced Jorge Drexler . Contemporary musicians like Diego Janssen and Miguel del Aguila are experimenting with fusing candombe with classical genres, jazz, blues and milonga. Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List , the candombe is a source of pride and a symbol of the identity of communities of African descent in Montevideo, embraced by younger generations and favouring group cohesion, while expressing
15246-672: Was later ordered out. In 1945, Uruguay formally signed the Declaration by the United Nations and entered World War II , leading the country to declare war on Germany and Japan . Following the end of the war, it became a founding member of the United Nations . An armed group of Marxist–Leninist urban guerrillas, known as the Tupamaros , emerged in the 1960s, engaging in activities such as bank robbery, kidnapping, and assassination, in addition to attempting an overthrow of
15372-693: Was one of the central themes in Juan Bautista Alberdi 's book " Bases and points of departure for the Political Organization of the Argentine Republic ", from which the Argentine Constitution of 1853 would adopt several ideas. Alberdi wrote in his work the famous phrase "To govern is to populate" because he saw immigration as "a means of progress and culture for South America". The first edition
15498-650: Was published in May 1852, a few months after Rosas ' defeat at Caseros. According to Alberdi, Argentina should have received, through immigrants, "the vivifying spirit of European civilization". Viewing immigration as one of the keys to Argentina's potential development, as the inhabitants of the most industrialized countries, by settling in Argentina could have made it possible to transform it into an advanced nation. Alberdi believed in what he called "the education of things," which consisted of educating by example and by teaching concrete skills, rather than by humanistic and formal teaching. Thus, inspired by Alberdi's work,
15624-416: Was related to the rural, the indigenous and the gaucho . This dilemma, according to him, could only be resolved with the triumph of "civilization" over barbarism. On October 1, 1869, during the presidency of Sarmiento, Law No. 346 on “Citizenship and Naturalization” was passed, the spirit of this law was to facilitate the naturalization of foreigners into Argentina. The novelty was that it did not establish
15750-587: Was roughly equal to an 8% increase in exports to that country. With the influx of laborers, Argentina was able to expand its agricultural production and exportation. The agricultural sector was equipped to handle the increase in laborers, as many rural property owners had uncultivated farm land. By renting their land to immigrants, many rural towns were able to flourish with the cultivation of large land worked by European immigrant families. Beyond production, immigrants also aided Argentina's industrialization efforts. 70% of immigrants lived in urban areas in 1914, which
15876-448: Was succeeded by Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou , a member of the conservative National Party , as the 42nd President of Uruguay. In 2023, for the first time since 1908, Uruguay's migrant population grew to 3.4 million, representing 3% of the country's foreign-born residents. With 176,214 km (68,037 sq mi) of continental land and 142,199 km (54,903 sq mi) of jurisdictional water and small river islands, Uruguay
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