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Uruguay trivia: 47 questions and answers

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The country at a glance

  1. Which two countries share a land border with Uruguay?

    1. A. Argentina and Brazil
    2. B. Argentina and Paraguay
    3. C. Brazil and Paraguay
    4. D. Argentina and Chile
    Show the answer

    Argentina and Brazil. Argentina and Brazil are Uruguay's only neighbours: Argentina to the west and southwest, Brazil to the north and northeast.

  2. What is the capital of Uruguay?

    1. A. Montevideo
    2. B. Colonia del Sacramento
    3. C. Punta del Este
    4. D. Salto
    Show the answer

    Montevideo. Montevideo, on the Río de la Plata, is the capital and by far the largest city.

  3. Uruguay lies entirely south of the Tropic of Capricorn.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. It is the only country in South America that lies completely south of the Tropic of Capricorn.

  4. What is the currency of Uruguay?

    1. A. Uruguayan peso
    2. B. Uruguayan real
    3. C. Uruguayan escudo
    4. D. Uruguayan sol
    Show the answer

    Uruguayan peso. The currency is the Uruguayan peso (UYU). Its current form was introduced in 1993.

History

  1. Who is honoured in Uruguay as the national hero and Father of the Nation?

    1. A. José Gervasio Artigas
    2. B. José Batlle y Ordóñez
    3. C. Juan Díaz de Solís
    4. D. Bruno Mauricio de Zabala
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    José Gervasio Artigas. José Gervasio Artigas led the fight against Spanish rule and is called the Father of the Nation. His remains lie under his statue in Plaza Independencia.

  2. Uruguay celebrates its Independence Day on 25 August.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. On 25 August 1825 independence was declared after the landing of the Thirty-Three Orientals.

  3. Which team did Uruguay beat 4 to 2 in the final of the first World Cup, in 1930?

    1. A. Argentina
    2. B. Brazil
    3. C. Italy
    4. D. Yugoslavia
    Show the answer

    Argentina. Uruguay beat Argentina 4 to 2 in Montevideo on 30 July 1930.

  4. In the Maracanazo of 1950, Uruguay won the World Cup by beating which host country?

    1. A. Brazil
    2. B. Argentina
    3. C. Chile
    4. D. Mexico
    Show the answer

    Brazil. Uruguay beat Brazil 2 to 1 at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, one of the biggest upsets in football history.

  5. Uruguay was ruled by a civic-military dictatorship from 1973 to 1985.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. The regime began with the coup of June 1973 and ended when an elected president took office on 1 March 1985.

  6. Colonia del Sacramento was founded by the Spanish in 1680.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    False. False. Colonia was founded by the Portuguese in 1680. The Spanish founded Montevideo in the 1720s.

Food and drink

  1. Which huge steak sandwich is Uruguay's national dish?

    1. A. Chivito
    2. B. Choripán
    3. C. Sándwich olímpico
    4. D. Milanesa al pan
    Show the answer

    Chivito. The chivito is thin grilled beef with ham, mozzarella, bacon, egg, tomato and lettuce, usually served with chips.

  2. What does the word "chivito" literally mean?

    1. A. Little goat
    2. B. Little cow
    3. C. Little bread
    4. D. Little horse
    Show the answer

    Little goat. Chivito means little goat. The story goes that a customer in Punta del Este asked for goat, and the cook used beef instead.

  3. What is fainá, the thin bake often served on top of pizza, made from?

    1. A. Chickpea flour
    2. B. Cornmeal
    3. C. Rice flour
    4. D. Cassava flour
    Show the answer

    Chickpea flour. Fainá is made from chickpea flour, water and olive oil. It came with immigrants from Genoa.

  4. The chajá cake from Paysandú is named after what?

    1. A. A bird of the wetlands
    2. B. A river in Paysandú
    3. C. A famous footballer
    4. D. A saint
    Show the answer

    A bird of the wetlands. The cake is named after a bird of the wetlands, the chajá or southern screamer. It was created in Paysandú in 1927.

  5. On the 29th of the month, many Uruguayans eat gnocchi and put money under their plate for luck.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. The ñoquis del 29 tradition came with Italian immigrants; the coin or note under the plate is meant to bring prosperity.

  6. What is Tannat, often called Uruguay's national grape, used to make?

    1. A. Red wine
    2. B. A cheese
    3. C. A herbal tea
    4. D. A beer
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    Red wine. Tannat is a red wine grape. It was brought to Uruguay in the 1800s by Basque settlers.

  7. Caruso sauce was invented in Italy by the tenor Enrico Caruso himself.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    False. False. It was created in Montevideo in the 1950s by the chef Raimondo Monti and named in Caruso's honour. Caruso never tasted it.

  8. In a Uruguayan pizzeria, what is "pizza a caballo"?

    1. A. A slice of pizza with a slice of fainá on top
    2. B. A pizza cooked over an open wood fire outdoors
    3. C. A pizza folded in half like a pasty
    4. D. A pizza delivered on horseback
    Show the answer

    A slice of pizza with a slice of fainá on top. Pizza a caballo, "on horseback", is a slice of pizza with a slice of fainá on top.

Cities

  1. According to the 2023 census, which of these cities has the most people?

    1. A. Salto
    2. B. Paysandú
    3. C. Rivera
    4. D. Colonia del Sacramento
    Show the answer

    Salto. Salto had about 114,000 people in 2023, more than Rivera (about 85,000), Paysandú (about 81,500) and Colonia (about 32,000).

  2. The Uruguayan city of Rivera is joined to a Brazilian city, Santana do Livramento, with no fence or checkpoint between them.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. People move freely between the two cities; travellers going further into either country use a shared border post.

  3. The river port of Fray Bentos became world famous for which products?

    1. A. Meat extract and corned beef
    2. B. Wine and brandy
    3. C. Wool blankets
    4. D. Cheese
    Show the answer

    Meat extract and corned beef. Meat extract and corned beef: from 1863 a plant in Fray Bentos made meat extract, and later corned beef sold abroad under the name Fray Bentos.

Landmarks

  1. As of 2026, how many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does Uruguay have?

    1. A. 1
    2. B. 3
    3. C. 5
    4. D. 7
    Show the answer

    3. Uruguay has 3: the Historic Quarter of Colonia del Sacramento (1995), the Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape (2015) and the Church of Atlántida by Eladio Dieste (2021).

  2. A paved road leads right into the village of Cabo Polonio.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    False. False. No road leads to Cabo Polonio: visitors walk about 7 km through the dunes or ride in 4x4 trucks.

  3. On which Montevideo square does the Palacio Salvo stand?

    1. A. Plaza Independencia
    2. B. Plaza Zabala
    3. C. Plaza de Mayo
    4. D. Plaza Mayor
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    Plaza Independencia. The Palacio Salvo, finished in 1928, stands on Plaza Independencia, where Artigas's statue and mausoleum are.

  4. Which artist built Casapueblo by hand near Punta del Este?

    1. A. Carlos Páez Vilaró
    2. B. Eladio Dieste
    3. C. Mario Irarrázabal
    4. D. Joaquín Torres-García
    Show the answer

    Carlos Páez Vilaró. Carlos Páez Vilaró built Casapueblo over 36 years, without plans. It was his home and studio.

  5. The Estadio Centenario was named after the 100th anniversary of what?

    1. A. Uruguay's first constitution
    2. B. The founding of Montevideo
    3. C. The birth of Artigas
    4. D. The first international football match
    Show the answer

    Uruguay's first constitution. It celebrates 100 years of Uruguay's first constitution, adopted on 18 July 1830; the stadium opened on 18 July 1930.

Fun facts

  1. In 2013 Uruguay became the first country in modern times to legalise what fully?

    1. A. Cannabis
    2. B. Divorce
    3. C. Women's right to vote
    4. D. Gambling
    Show the answer

    Cannabis. In December 2013 Uruguay passed a law to regulate the growing, sale and use of cannabis.

  2. In 2023 about 98 percent of Uruguay's electricity came from renewable sources.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. Most of it comes from hydroelectric dams and wind farms.

  3. How many blue and white horizontal stripes does the flag of Uruguay have?

    1. A. 5
    2. B. 7
    3. C. 9
    4. D. 13
    Show the answer

    9. The flag has 9 stripes, standing for the nine original departments of the country.

  4. Which German warship was scuttled just outside Montevideo harbour in December 1939?

    1. A. Admiral Graf Spee
    2. B. Bismarck
    3. C. Tirpitz
    4. D. Scharnhorst
    Show the answer

    Admiral Graf Spee. After the Battle of the River Plate, the Admiral Graf Spee sheltered in Montevideo and was scuttled on 17 December 1939.

  5. Which famous tango, written by the Uruguayan Gerardo Matos Rodríguez, was first played at a café in Montevideo?

    1. A. La cumparsita
    2. B. Por una cabeza
    3. C. Mi Buenos Aires querido
    4. D. El choclo
    Show the answer

    La cumparsita. La cumparsita, written in 1916, was first played at the Café La Giralda, where the Palacio Salvo stands today.

  6. In 2009 Uruguay became the first country in the world to give a laptop to each primary school pupil.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. It did so through a programme called Plan Ceibal.

  7. Candombe drumming was brought to Uruguay by Italian immigrants.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    False. False. Candombe grew up among Afro-Uruguayans, the descendants of Africans, in Montevideo's Sur, Palermo and Cordón neighbourhoods.

Words

  1. In Uruguay, what does "tá" mean?

    1. A. OK
    2. B. Hello
    3. C. Thank you
    4. D. Goodbye
    Show the answer

    OK. Tá is a very Uruguayan way of saying OK or all right.

  2. What is a "gurí" in Uruguay?

    1. A. A kid
    2. B. A bus
    3. C. A market
    4. D. A sausage
    Show the answer

    A kid. Gurí means a kid or child; a girl is a gurisa.

  3. What are "championes" in Uruguay?

    1. A. Trainers (running shoes)
    2. B. Mushrooms
    3. C. Football trophies
    4. D. Sandwiches
    Show the answer

    Trainers (running shoes). In Uruguay championes are trainers (running shoes).

  4. In Uruguay, "ómnibus" is a word for a bus.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. You catch an ómnibus in town or at a bus terminal such as Tres Cruces.

  5. In Montevideo, what is "the Rambla"?

    1. A. The seafront promenade
    2. B. The main market
    3. C. The central bus station
    4. D. The old fortress
    Show the answer

    The seafront promenade. The Rambla is the seafront promenade and avenue, more than 22 km long.

Phrases

  1. How do you ask for the bill in a restaurant?

    1. A. La cuenta, por favor
    2. B. ¡Buen provecho!
    3. C. Permiso
    4. D. Mucho gusto
    Show the answer

    La cuenta, por favor. "La cuenta, por favor" means "The bill, please".

  2. What does "¡Buen provecho!" mean?

    1. A. Enjoy your meal!
    2. B. Cheers!
    3. C. Excuse me!
    4. D. Good night!
    Show the answer

    Enjoy your meal!. "¡Buen provecho!" means "Enjoy your meal!" and is said before eating or to people who are eating.

  3. In Uruguayan Spanish, the "ll" in "Me llamo" is usually pronounced like the "s" in "pleasure" or the "sh" in "shop".

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. In the Río de la Plata region "ll" and "y" sound like the "s" in "pleasure" or the "sh" in "shop", so "Me llamo" sounds like "meh ZHAH-moh".

  4. When do you say "Buenas noches"?

    1. A. After dark, or when saying goodnight
    2. B. In the morning, until about noon
    3. C. In the early afternoon
    4. D. Only when thanking someone
    Show the answer

    After dark, or when saying goodnight. "Buenas noches" is used after dark, or when saying goodnight.

Local customs and tips

  1. Which months are summer in Uruguay?

    1. A. December to March
    2. B. June to September
    3. C. March to June
    4. D. September to December
    Show the answer

    December to March. Uruguay is in the Southern Hemisphere, so summer runs from December to March.

  2. From which terminal do most long-distance buses leave Montevideo?

    1. A. Tres Cruces
    2. B. Retiro
    3. C. Plaza Independencia
    4. D. Carrasco Airport
    Show the answer

    Tres Cruces. Tres Cruces is Montevideo's main bus terminal. Retiro is in Buenos Aires.

  3. In Uruguay, the "OK" sign made with the thumb and forefinger in a circle is considered very rude.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    True. True. Avoid it; a thumbs up is fine.

  4. Why is it a good idea to ask whether a price is in pesos or dollars?

    1. A. Pesos and dollars share the dollar sign, so they are easy to mix up
    2. B. Dollars are not accepted anywhere
    3. C. Prices in pesos must be paid by card
    4. D. Shops only show prices in euros
    Show the answer

    Pesos and dollars share the dollar sign, so they are easy to mix up. Pesos and dollars share the dollar sign, so they are easy to mix up, and expensive things are often priced in US dollars.

  5. As of September 2026, British visitors need a visa for any stay in Uruguay.

    True or false?

    Show the answer

    False. False. As of September 2026, British visitors can stay up to 90 days without a visa.

Answer key

The country at a glance

  1. A. Argentina and Brazil
  2. A. Montevideo
  3. True
  4. A. Uruguayan peso

History

  1. A. José Gervasio Artigas
  2. True
  3. A. Argentina
  4. A. Brazil
  5. True
  6. False

Food and drink

  1. A. Chivito
  2. A. Little goat
  3. A. Chickpea flour
  4. A. A bird of the wetlands
  5. True
  6. A. Red wine
  7. False
  8. A. A slice of pizza with a slice of fainá on top

Cities

  1. A. Salto
  2. True
  3. A. Meat extract and corned beef

Landmarks

  1. B. 3
  2. False
  3. A. Plaza Independencia
  4. A. Carlos Páez Vilaró
  5. A. Uruguay's first constitution

Fun facts

  1. A. Cannabis
  2. True
  3. C. 9
  4. A. Admiral Graf Spee
  5. A. La cumparsita
  6. True
  7. False

Words

  1. A. OK
  2. A. A kid
  3. A. Trainers (running shoes)
  4. True
  5. A. The seafront promenade

Phrases

  1. A. La cuenta, por favor
  2. A. Enjoy your meal!
  3. True
  4. A. After dark, or when saying goodnight

Local customs and tips

  1. A. December to March
  2. A. Tres Cruces
  3. True
  4. A. Pesos and dollars share the dollar sign, so they are easy to mix up
  5. False

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