Uruguay was a rather wealthy country at least up until the 1950's.

A certain slightly old-fashioned European charm still remains from that era, together with quite a lot of turn-of-the-century and Art Deco architecture.

That’s what I mean when I say Montevideo feels like “Barcelona”; sitting in a cafe in the old part of Montevideo, definitely feels old world Mediterranean.

And what about Uruguay is like North Carolina – the Atlantic coast, with its broad, (mostly empty) beaches, the "gentleman farmer-esque" estanciero culture of the grand estates, which might remind you of the old American South, and the temperate climate.

Agricultural land is cheap; agriculture is not subsidized by the state in Uruguay.

Farming is extensive, but not very modern.