Maps of Uruguay
The country is administratively divided into 19 departments. The terrain consists mainly of rolling plains and low ridges, with a dense network of rivers and wetlands.
For travellers, this means the road map works better here than in many other South American countries, but the different sections of the coast and ferry links to Argentina are important additional layers.
· SambaTravel
19 departments
Uruguay is divided into 19 departments. Montevideo is a department of its own, Colonia lies in the southwest on the Río de la Plata, Maldonado includes Punta del Este, and Rocha covers much of the eastern Atlantic coast. Canelones surrounds the capital on the landward side and contains many of the country's wineries.
The departmental map works well as a foundation because road connections between the main travel destinations are relatively direct.
The Río de la Plata becomes the Atlantic
The southern coast changes from the broad Río de la Plata estuary around Colonia and Montevideo to a more clearly Atlantic coastline farther east. Around Maldonado and Rocha, beaches, lagoons, dunes and coastal wetlands become increasingly important in the landscape.
That distinction matters both for beach travel and for the way the coast's nature and small-town character change as you move east.
Rivers shape the interior
The Uruguay River forms much of the western border with Argentina. The Río Negro crosses the country from east to west and shapes much of the interior drainage, while Laguna Merín lies in the eastern border zone with Brazil.
Uruguay has no high mountain range; instead, the landscape is characterised by low cuchillas, grasslands and agricultural country.
Most classic routes can be built overland
Montevideo is the natural hub. Colonia lies to the west, while wine areas in Canelones and coastal destinations in Maldonado and Rocha lie in other directions but are reached via a relatively coherent road network. Thermal areas in the northwest require longer drives but no extreme mountain passes.
Ferries across the Río de la Plata also make combinations with Buenos Aires geographically simple.
How we use maps of Uruguay
We plan mainly around the direction of the coastline and realistic driving times. Colonia–Montevideo forms a clear west–east axis, after which the journey can continue along the coast towards Punta del Este and Rocha. Inland additions are chosen according to interest in wine, estancias or thermal baths.
Sources: departmental divisions follow Uruguay's Instituto Nacional de Estadística and official cartography from Instituto Geográfico Militar.
10 map facts about Uruguay
- Uruguay is divided into 19 departments.
- The country shares land borders with Brazil and Argentina.
- The Uruguay River forms much of the country's western border.
- The Río de la Plata meets the Atlantic along Uruguay's southern and southeastern coast.
- Montevideo is both the capital and a department in its own right.
- Colonia del Sacramento lies on the Río de la Plata in the southwest.
- Punta del Este lies in the department of Maldonado.
- Rocha has a long Atlantic coast with lagoons and coastal landscapes.
- Uruguay is predominantly low and rolling, without high mountain ranges.
- The road network allows many classic Uruguay itineraries to be completed entirely overland.