The German Uruguayans in Uruguay numbers ca. 10,000 German expatriates and 40,000 people of German descent. Most of them live in the Montevideo area, although there are German minorities in Paysandú, RÃÂo Negro, San José and Canelones.
History
One of the first Germans to come to the region was Ulrich Schmidl (known locally as Ulrico Smidel), who arrived at the oriental shores of the River Plate in the early 16th century and described the Charrúas.
The 2011 Uruguayan census revealed 1,167 people who declared Germany as their country of birth.
Religion
Local Germans practise different Christian religions:
There is also an important presence of German Jews, with religious activities at the NCI Synagogue.
Institutions
German immigrants established several institutions of their own, among others:
- German School Montevideo (, established 1857)
- German Evangelical Community ()
- German Cultural and Social Work ()
- German Club (, established 1866)
- Uruguayan-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (, established 1916)
- German Rowing Club Montevideo (, established 1922)
- German Male Choir ()
- Alpine Club Montevideo (, established 1934)
- Bertolt Brecht House (, established 1964)
- German-Uruguayan Cultural Association ()
- German Cultural Association Paysandú ()
- German-Uruguayan Friendship Circle
There are also local offices of German institutions:
Historic German schools:
Notable people
Arts and entertainment
- Erika Büsch, musician
- Luis Camnitzer, artist
- Jorge Drexler, musician and doctor
- Enrique Graf, pianist
- Carlos Grethe, painter and academician
- Andrés Neumann, cultural entrepreneur
- Carlos Ott, architect
- Carlos Rehermann, novelist and playwright
- Erwin Schrott, opera singer
- Carla Witte, painter
- Patricia Wolf, model and television personality
- Paula Einöder, poet and writer
Politics
Sports
Scientists
Other professions
See also
References
External links