1848

URUGUAY.

(Republica Oriental del Uruguay.) Constitution and Government.

The Republic of Uruguay, formerly a part of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata, aud subsequently a province of Brazil, declared its independence August 25, 1825, which was recognised by the Treaty of Montevideo, signed August 27, 1828. The Constitution of the Republic was sworn July 18, 1830. The legislative power is in a Parliament of two Houses, the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives, which meet in annual session, extending from February 15 to Julj'- 15. In the interval of the session, a permanent committee of two senators and five members of the Lower House assume the legislative power, as well as the general control of the administration. The representatives are chosen for three years, in the proportion of 1 to every 3,000 inhabitants of male adults who can read and write. The senators are chosen by an Electoral College, whose members are directly elected by the people ; there is one senator for each department, chosen for six years, one third retiring every two years. There are 75 representatives and 19 senators.

The executive is given by the Constitution to tlie President of the Republic, elected for the term of four years.

President of the Republic. — Senor Jose Batlle ; elected March 1, 191 1.

The President is assisted in his executive functions by a council of ministers divided into seven departments, namely, those of the Interior and Worship, Foreign Affairs, Finance, War and Marine, Justice and Public Instruction, Industry, Lal)Our and Communications, and Public Works.

Area and Population.

The following table shows the area and the population of the departments according to the results of the census of December 31, 1911 : —

Departments

Area, square miles

Population Dec. 1911

Pop. per square mile Dec. 1911

Artigas .....

4,392

.SI, 380

7-1

Canelones

1,833

97,719

53-3

Cerro-Largo

5,753

49,307

8-5

Colonia .

2,192

63,732

29-0

Durazno

5,525

47,253

S-5

Flores .

1,744

19,030

10-S

Florida .

4,763

51,202

10-9

Maldonaclo

1,584

33,168

20-9

Miiias

4,844

57,036

117

Montevideo

256

338,125

1,320-9

Paysandu

5,115

48,419

9-4

Rio Negro

3,269

27,622

8-4

Rivera .

3,790

39,413

10-3

Rocha

4,280

39,038

9-1

Salto

4,863

54,159

11-1

San Jose

2,687

51,785

19 "2

Soriano .

3,560

44,720

12-5

Tacuareinbo

8,074

51,505

6-3

Treinta y Tres

3,6S6

32,897

8-9

Total ....

72,210

1,177,560

16-3

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