Cattle-breeding and sheep-farming, however, are the principal industries. Nearly 8o% of the land is devoted to grazing, and the stock census of 1924 showed an existence of 8,425,196 head of cattle and 14,514,060 sheep. The cattle are destined chiefly for the great packing houses which, since the development of ref rigera tion, consume most of the meat produced. There are modern meat-packing establishments in Uruguay where beef and mutton are chilled or frozen for export. Large quantities of liquid extract of beef are also prepared for the European trade. A smaller amount of meat each year is being sent to the saladero establish ments for the preparation of tasajo, or jerked beef, for the Bra zilian and Cuban markets. In the south, where the farmers are European, the breed of cattle is improved by breeding.
Sheep farming flourishes chiefly in Durazno and Soriano. Uruguayan wool is favourably regarded in foreign markets, on account of the clean state in which it is shipped, this being largely due to the natural conditions of the land and climate.
Mining is of slight importance in Uruguay. Minerals are known to exist in the northern section of the republic, and gold-mining is carried on to a small extent. Expert opinions have been advanced that gold-mining in Uruguay is capable of development into an important industry. The other minerals found are silver, lead, copper, talc and lignite coal. In 1924 large deposits of manganese were discovered.
The economic development of Uruguay was long retarded by poor governments, by revolutionary outbreaks and by the transference of commercial undertakings from Montevideo to Buenos Aires on the opening of the harbour and docks at that port. Recent years have brought renewed commercial activity.
The principal imports consist of machinery, textiles and cloth ing, food substances and beverages, fuel and live stock. The chief exports are animal products and agricultural products. The accom panying table, given in thousands of gold pesos, contains the latest available statistics of foreign commerce :— Trade is controlled by foreigners, the British being prominent in banking, finance, railway work and the higher branches of com merce; the Americans in the meat packing business; Spaniards, Italians and French in the wholesale and retail trade. Uruguayans find an insignificant place in commerce. The foreign trade passes mainly through Montevideo, where the port has been greatly improved.
There are 2,24o m. of national roads, and more than 3,100 m. of departmental roads of which some 300 m. are metalled. The railways have a length of 1,625 m. open for traffic, radiating from Montevideo and connecting Uruguay at several points with the Argentine and Brazilian borders, rail travel now being possible from Montevideo to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Mail and passenger aeroplane service is maintained with Buenos Aires, flights being made three times per week.
The legislative power of the State rests with the general assembly, consisting of two chambers, one of senators (19 in number) and one of representatives. The deputies of the lower house are elected for three years directly by the people, one deputy for every 12,000 adults who can read and write. One senator is named from each department by an electoral college, whose members are elected directly by the people. The senators are elected for six years, and one-third of their number retire every two years. The executive power is exercised by the presi dent of the republic, who is elected by direct popular vote for a four years' term. He is assisted by a National Administrative Council of nine members, elected by popular vote for a six year period, three retiring every two years. There is no vice president. Cumulative voting provides for a representation of the minority. Woman's suffrage was adopted in 1921, Uruguay being the only South American country which has introduced this measure.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, nearly half the population over six years of age was illiterate. Since that time, however, marked improvement has taken place. Primary education is now compulsory and most of the children of school age attend. In 1923 there were 1,045 Government schools, with 120,583 children in attendance. Moreover (in 1922), private schools enrolled 20,168 pupils, and evening courses for adults were attended by 6,678. Higher education is provided for by the na tional university at Montevideo which in 1922 had a student body of 1,615, a State supported technical school, a military college and a national agricultural college, modelled on the best Euro pean and United States institutions: Vocational training was given gratuitously to 185 pupils.