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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