Arab Uruguayans originated mainly from what is now Lebanon (of which there may be over 50,000 descendants[1][2]); a notable trend was immigration during Ottoman times; for this reason, Arab Uruguayans are traditionally (and wrongly) denominated "turcos" (Turks).
There are also individuals from other Arab countries such as Egypt, Syria, Morocco and Palestine.
Most Uruguayans of Arabic descent are Christians (Maronites), with some Muslim minorities.
There are some 500 Arab-speaking people in the border towns of Chuy and Rivera.
This article about the history of Uruguay is a stub.