Take a look at the site above and answer the following questions:
1. What languages is this site available in?
2. What kind of information could you find on it?
3. Can you find accommodation from this site?
4. How long has this company been running?
5. Why are Montevideo and Punta del Este shown on top?
Uruguay Overview
Among the smallest countries in South America,
Uruguay sits between Brazil and Argentina it’s a
destination capable of offering culture, interesting
sights, attractions and activities. Add to this the fact
that Uruguay is one of South America’s safest
countries to consider it as a tourist destination.
Montevideo is the country’s capital and is a city with
many possibilities for visitors. Magnificent old
buildings and well-preserved structures from the city’s
colourful history are complemented by pleasing
natural surroundings. Visitors can go sightseeing and
check out the Salvo Palace and Independence Square
or head for the city’s shopping malls before lunch or
dinner.
Punta del Este is Uruguay’s beach city and the place
where you’ll find package holidaymakers and
members of the affluent jet-set. Miles of golden sands
are typical of the Punta del Este coastline and are the
main attraction of this vacation-oriented destination.
A variety of accommodation options, great
restaurants, numerous leisure activities and a lively
evening entertainment scene make this the country’s
premier coastal resort. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a
great selection of options for activity. Golfers can take
advantage of a handful of scenic courses, while fans of
water sports will find the beaches at Punta del Este,
Piriápolis, Solis and Atlántida, are well suited to water
skiing, sea kayaking, scuba diving and other well
established pastimes.
The country has a variety of lively festivals across the
year and many visitors plan their trips to coincide with
some of the bigger events. Montevideo’s Mardi Gras,
known as Las Llamadas, attracts big crowds with
holidaymakers making up a significant proportion.
Tacuarembó, meanwhile, packs them in March for the
Festival of the Gaucho Culture and in June for the
Festival of the Tango Culture.
Uruguay is easily reached, having a major
international airport in its capital city and the country
being small enough that other destinations can be
reached from there easily by road. Once in major
cities such as Montevideo, Colonia and Punta de Este,
visitors will find there are efficient bus services
available for getting around. Taxis and car hire provide
good alternatives for domestic travel.
(Adapted from
http://www.hoteltravel.com/uruguay/guides/overview.htm)
Read the text and put the headings for each paragraph.

A. A VARIETY OF THINGS TO DO D. CELEBRATING IN URUGUAY

B. EVERYTHING IN JUST ONE PLACE E. AT THE HEART OF THE COUNTRY
C. FROM PLACE TO PLACE: SEVERAL OPTIONS F. INTERESTING ALTERNATIVE IN THE SOUTH

Read the text again and answer the following questions:

1. Where is Uruguay situated?

2. What can visitors do in Uruguay?
3. Which is the most important city? Why?
4. What outdoors activities are mentioned?
5. Is it easy to get to other places in Uruguay from the capital city?
6. What means of transport are mentioned?

How many can you find?

ADJECTIVES NOUNS PREPOSITIONS VERBS

Read the information below and complete the sentences.

Department Area (square kilometres) Population Capital Capital founded in

Cerro Largo 13,648 89,383 Melo 27/6/1795

Colonia del
Colonia 6,106 120,855 January, 1680
Sacramento  
Flores 5,144 25,609 Trinidad 14/4/1804
Lavalleja 10,016 61,883 Minas 1784
Montevideo 530 1,342,474 Montevideo 1724/1730
Paysandú 13,922 115,623 Paysandú Around 1756
Río Negro 9,282 55,657 Fray Bentos 1858
San José 4,992 107,644 San José de Mayo 1/6/1773
Soriano 9,008 87,073 Mercedes 1788

1. Cerro Largo is _______________ Flores. (BIG)

2. Colonia is _______________ Lavalleja. (SMALL)
3. _______________ department is Paysandú. (BIG)
4. Melo was founded _______________Trinidad. (EARLY)
5. Montevideo is _______________ city in the country. (CROWDED)
6. Rio Negro is _______________ Flores. (CROWDED)
7. Melo was founded 11 years _______________ Minas. (LATE)
8. Montevideo is _______________ department. (SMALL)
9. Minas was founded fifty years _______________ the capital city. (EARLY)
10. Paysandú is _______________ department of the ones shown. (LARGE)