Sport in Chile that have been popular throughout the country. The country has some experience as host of major global sporting events such as the 1959 Basketball World Cup. The first sport played in Chile was "palín" (similar to hockey), first practiced by the Mapuche before the discovery and conquest of the country. The game was later called "Chueca" by the Spanish conquerors. Years later Europeans introduced other sports unknown in this country. Valparaíso is Chile's main port, and due to the emerging nitrate industry in the north, it became a crossroads for ships coming from Europe, bringing equipment and personnel for newspapers,
Sport in Uruguay Sport in Uruguay Sport in Uruguay has been an important part of Uruguayan culture, since the early start of the nation. Winners of such important awards such as the FIFA World Cup, the French Open, and Olympic medals, Uruguay has been a constantly successful sports nation in continental and world aspects. Football (Spanish: "fútbol") is the most popular sport in Uruguay. Uruguay has won an Olympic gold medal in 1924, and another one in 1928, which were considered the most important tournaments in football, before the FIFA World Cup began in 1930, hence the four stars on the Uruguayan jersey.