Uruguay is roughly a right-angled triangle in shape, its apex at the northwest, the western boundary line nearly perpendicular, the south side almost at right angles with it, and the Brazilian boundary the hypothenuse; with a little extra piece at the southeast bordering on the Atlantic. For the most part a gently rolling country well suited to agriculture as for cattle raising, it slopes towards the east, west, and south; having rougher and higher land at the north, where the greatest elevation is a little above 2000 feet. A central cross depression is the Valley of the Rio Negro. The perimeter of Uruguay measures 1148 miles, of which 668 are on the ocean or large rivers. The country is well supplied with rivers, some of which are navigable. Besides the Plata and Uruguay, there are the Negro, Tacuará, Cebollati, Climar, and the Yaguarón; also Lake Mirím. Besides Mirím on the Brazilian border there are a few lakes along the ocean front; a few islands lie off the coast. The country differs from the Argentine campo in having plenty of stone. CLIMATE Extending from 30° to 35° South Latitude with no considerable elevation and being close to the sea, Uruguay naturally has a temperate climate with no great variation over its limited area. The temperature generally ranges from 40° to 90°. There is sufficient rainfall, about 40 inches, and the country is well watered. Its coast offers agreeable places for summer resorts, which are patronized both by natives and by Argentines. The country in general has a particularly salubrious climate, 244 sunny days, it is said, in the year. CHAPTER XLIII URUGUAY: CAPITAL, DEPARTMENTS, CHIEF CITIES, PORTS THE CAPITAL =Montevideo=, the capital and chief port of Uruguay, with a population approaching 400,000, is a pleasant city, a more homelike place than Buenos Aires and preferred as a residence by many, though doubtless more persons enjoy life better in the larger gayer capital. Favorably situated near the entrance, but on the Plata River, on a peninsula of high ground which shelters a good harbor on the west, while attractive beaches lie on the side towards the ocean, Montevideo is in some respects a contrast to South America’s metropolis, 100 miles distant, on the other shore. With fine drainage facilities it is a clean healthful city, well lighted, and well served by electric tramways. Pure water is brought a distance of 30 miles. Though with fine buildings, theatres, broad, well-paved avenues (150 miles of them), open squares, and attractive parks, the city seems quite up to date, yet somehow a trifle old fashioned, with an agreeable air of solid respectability. The hotels are comfortable, but only those facing the beaches, at a distance from the business section, are really of the first class. An underground telephone system is proposed. DEPARTMENTS