Uruguay is a small country located on the eastern coast of South America between Argentina and Brazil. It has a temperate climate with rolling hills and plains and many rivers and beaches. Uruguay gained independence from Spain in the early 19th century and is now a democratic republic with a literacy rate among the highest in the world. Soccer is the most popular sport and tango the dominant musical tradition, along with candombe drumming and murgas street performances around Carnival time. Cuisine blends local beef with Italian influences like milanesa cutlets and chivitos sandwiches.