Uruguayan Colombians are people born in Uruguay who live in Colombia, or Colombian-born people of Uruguayan descent. There are lots of Uruguayan-born persons living in Colombia, for a number of reasons. The two countries, located on opposite points of the South American subcontinent, share the Spanish language; the historical origins of both nations is common (part of the Spanish Empire until the early 19th century). In the 21st century, Uruguayan entrepreneurs are increasingly arriving in Colombia in search of business opportunities.