Geopolitical study of the republics of Paraguay and Uruguay

This study examines (a) the impact of geopolitical factors, particularly geography, on the evolution of Paraguay and Uruguay, and (b) geopolitical space of Paraguay and Uruguay and the importance of regional integration. Geopolitical concepts defined by Jorge Atencio and Rudolph Kjellen were applied to the Paraguayan and Uruguayan context to achieve the stated objectives of this study. We reached the following conclusions: (a) geopolitical factors, particularly geography, have greatly influenced the historical, political, economic, and social development of Paraguay and Uruguay; (b) Paraguay has greatly improved the valorization of its space with the establishment of new development poles, exploitation of its enormous hydroelectric potential on the Parana River, construction of highways, international bridges, and navigation improvements on the Paraguay and Parana rivers, which place the country at the center of continental communications; (c) Uruguay, despite its small territory, has broadened its geopolitical space with the expansion of its maritime frontiers, its active participation in South Atlantic and Antarctic affairs, in regional integration, in the Group of Eight, Cartagena Consensus, and GATT.