# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Tim Lambert
Early Bolivia

The people of Bolivia were civilized for hundreds of years before the Spaniards conquered the area. The city of Tiahuanaco was founded in what is now Bolivia about 400 BC. At its peak, it had a population of about 40-50,000, and its people created great works of architecture. They also worked in pottery, silver, copper, and obsidian.

From about 700 AD onward Tiahuanaco ruled a great empire in Bolivia and southern Peru. However, about 1,000 AD the empire broke up and was replaced by small states.

In the 15th century, the Incas conquered Bolivia. However, in 1533 the Incas were in turn conquered by the Spaniards.

The Spaniards founded cities in Bolivia at Chuquisaca (1538), La Paz (1548), Cochabamba (1571) and Oruro (1606). In 1545 silver was discovered at Potosi and the Spanish used forced labor to mine the silver. Many of the Indians who were forced to work in mines died there. Many more died of European diseases.

Not surprisingly the Bolivian Indians were resentful and in 1780 their anger boiled over into rebellion. The Indians believed they could revamp the old Inca Empire and replace the unjust and oppressive Spanish rule. However, the Indians were disunited and they failed to capture La Paz. By 1782 the Great Rebellion in Bolivia was crushed.

Yet in 1809 another rebellion began. People of Spanish descent led this one. It began when Napoleon's army occupied Spain and he deposed the Spanish king and made his brother Joseph king of Spain. For many South Americans already dissatisfied with Spanish rule that was the last straw. In 1809 the people of La Paz declared independence. The rebellion was quickly crushed but the movement for independence in Bolivia became unstoppable. Fighting continued across the continent and the Spanish armies were gradually defeated.

Independent Bolivia

More and more regions of South America became independent until on 6 August 1825 Bolivia finally joined them and became independent from Spain. The new nation was named Bolivia in honor of Simon Bolivar the hero of the independence movement.

However the new republic of Bolivia faced economic depression and many silver mines were abandoned. Bolivia became a backward and impoverished state.

The first president of Bolivia was General Sucre. He was followed by Marshal Andres de Santa Cruz who was president from 1829 to 1839. In 1836 he tried to unite Bolivia with Peru but the Chileans felt threatened and they fought the War of the Confederation in 1836-39 to break up the union.

In 1879 Bolivia increased taxation on Chilean-owned nitrate companies. The result was a war called the War of the Pacific. In 1884 Bolivia lost the strip of coast she controlled and became a landlocked country.

However, in the late 19th century the silver industry in Bolivia revived helped by capital from Britain and Chile and by new technology.

Economically Bolivia prospered. Tin mining boomed and it replaced silver mining as the main industry. Meanwhile, railways were built in Bolivia linking parts of Bolivia. In the north, a rubber industry boomed. However politically Bolivia was split between Conservatives and Liberals.

Then in 1899 Bolivian Liberals rose in rebellion. The so-called Federal Revolution ended with the Liberals seizing power. Then in 1900 rubber tappers in the Acre region rebelled demanding independence. They were supported by the Brazilians and in 1903 the Bolivian government decided to sell Acre to Brazil.

In 1920 the Conservatives staged a coup in Bolivia and regained power. In the 1920s mining in Bolivia flourished but after the Wall Street Crash in 1929 the Bolivian economy suffered severely.

In July 1932 border disputes led to the Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay. The war went very badly for Bolivia and many of her men died in the conflict. The war ended in 1935 but in 1936 army officers staged a coup. They introduced a regime they called military socialism and they nationalized the holdings of the American Standard Oil Company.

During this time radical ideas were spreading in Bolivia and the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionaria or MNR was formed. In 1943 the MNR formed an alliance with some army officers and they staged a coup. Gualberto Villarroel led the new government. However, Villaroel was overthrown by a revolution in 1946 and he was hanged outside the presidential palace. Bolivia was then ruled by a coalition of traditional parties until 1951 when the army took control.

Modern Bolivia

However, in 1952 the MNR launched a revolution and returned to power in Bolivia. They then embarked on a program of reform. The three biggest tin companies in Bolivia were nationalized and universal suffrage was introduced (everybody was given the vote).

However, in mid-1950s Bolivia suffered from high inflation. Faced with economic troubles the Bolivian government turned to the USA for help. The USA gave loans and the economy stabilized but in 1964 the army staged another coup.

For most of the next 18 years, Bolivia endured military dictatorship. Despite the repression, the Bolivian economy boomed and the population grew rapidly. However, in the early 1980s, the economy took a downturn. Faced with mass demonstrations and international condemnation the last junta stepped down and Congress was restored. In 1982 Hernando Siles Zuazo became president of Bolivia.

However, during his reign, Bolivia suffered major economic problems including raging inflation and he stepped won in 1985. His successor Paz Estenssoro managed to curb inflation but in 1989 he was replaced by Paz Zamora. Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada replaced him in 1993. He undertook a privatization campaign and under him, the Bolivian economy grew.

However, the Bolivian economy flagged from 1999 but it began to grow again in 2003. Then in 2005 left-wing Evo Morales was elected president with plans to nationalize industry. Morales was re-elected president of Bolivia in 2009.

Today Bolivia remains a poor country but it is rich in resources. Perhaps its greatest resource is tourism and it has beautiful scenery and wildlife. Bolivia suffered in the recession of 2009 but the economy recovered. Today the Bolivian economy is growing steadily. Bolivia is becoming more prosperous and there is reason to be hopeful about its future. Today the population of Bolivia is 11 million.

Last revised 2022

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Brief History of Bolivia - Local Histories

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By Tim Lambert Early Bolivia The people of Bolivia were civilized for hundreds of years before the Spaniards conquered the area. The city of Tiahuanaco was founded in what is now Bolivia about 400 BC. At its peak, it had a population of about 40-50,000, and its people created great works of architecture.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
2002 August - Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada wins a clear victory in a National Congress run-off vote and becomes president for a second time. His rival, coca growers' representative Evo Morales, leads a strengthened opposition.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
2002 August - Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada wins a clear victory in a National Congress run-off vote and becomes president for a second time. His rival, coca growers' representative Evo Morales, leads a strengthened opposition.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Infoplease has everything you need to know about Bolivia. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about Bolivia's geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion, and languages. If that's not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags.

Facts & Figures

Official Name: The Plurinational State of Bolivia

President: Luis Arce Catacora (2020)

Vice President: David Choquehuanca

President of the Senate: Andrónico Rodríguez

President of the Chamber of Deputies: Jerges Mercado

Type of Government: Unitary Presidential Republic

Land area: 418,683 sq mi (1,084,389 sq km); Water Area: 15,280 sq km; Total Area: 424,164 sq mi (1,098,580 sq km)

Population (2022 est.): 12,054,379 (growth rate: 1.12%); birth rate: 18.61/1000; infant mortality rate: 22.28/1000; life expectancy: 72.5

Administrative Capital: La Paz, 1.908 million

Constitutional Capital: Sucre, 278,000

Largest City: Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 2.4 million

Other large cities: Santa Cruz 1.784 million; Cochabamba, 1.369 million (2022)

Monetary unit: Boliviano

National name: República de Bolivia
Current Government Officials
Languages: Spanish (official) 60.7%, Quechua (official) 21.2%, Aymara (official) 14.6%, Guarani (official), foreign languages 2.4%, other 1.2% note: Bolivia's 2009 constitution designates Spanish and all indigenous languages as official; 36 indigenous languages are specified, including some that are extinct (2001 census)

Ethnicity/race: Mestizo (mixed White and Amerindian ancestry) 68%, Indigenous 20%, White 5%, Cholo/Chola 2%, African descent 1%, other 1%, unspecified 3%; 44% of respondents indicated feeling part of some indigenous group, predominantly Quechua or Aymara (2009 est.)

National Holiday: Independence Day, August 6

Religion: Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 14.5%, Adventist 2.5%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.2%, agnostic 0.3%, atheist 0.8%, other 3.5%, none 6.6%, unspecified 0.6% (2018 est.)

Literacy rate: 92.5%. Male 96.5%, female 88.6% (2015 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2020 est.): $92.59 billion; per capita $7,900. Real growth rate: 2.2%. Inflation: 1.8%. Unemployment: 4% in urban areas with widespread underemployment. Arable land: 3.6%. Agriculture: soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber. Labor force: 5.719 million; agriculture 29.4%, industry 22%, services 48.6%. Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing. Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower. Exports: $7.55 billion (2020 est.): natural gas, soybeans and soy products, crude petroleum, zinc ore, tin. Major trading partners (exports): Argentina 16%, Brazil 15%, United Arab Emirates 12%, India 10%, United States 6%, South Korea 5%, Peru 5%, Colombia 5% (2019). Imports: $8.27 billion (2020 est.): petroleum products, plastics, paper, aircraft and aircraft parts, prepared foods, automobiles, insecticides, soybeans. Major trading partners (imports): Brazil 22%, Chile 15%, China 13%, Peru 11%, Argentina 8%, United States 7% (2017).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 598,082 (2020); mobile cellular: 11,804,343 (2020). Broadcast media: large number of radio and TV stations broadcasting with private media outlets dominating; state-owned and private radio and TV stations generally operating freely, although both pro-government and anti-government groups have attacked media outlets in response to their reporting (2019). Internet hosts: 180,988 (2012). Internet users: 7,003,817 (2020).

Transportation: Railways: total: 3,960 km (2019). Roadways: total: 90,568 km; paved: 9,792 km; unpaved: 80,776 km (2017). Waterways: 10,000 km (commercially navigable) (2012). Ports and harbors: Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay. Airports: 855 (2021 est.).
Major sources and definitions

Infoplease has everything you need to know about Bolivia. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about Bolivia's geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion, and languages. If that's not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags.

Facts & Figures

Official Name: The Plurinational State of Bolivia

President: Luis Arce Catacora (2020)

Vice President: David Choquehuanca

President of the Senate: Andrónico Rodríguez

President of the Chamber of Deputies: Jerges Mercado

Type of Government: Unitary Presidential Republic

Land area: 418,683 sq mi (1,084,389 sq km); Water Area: 15,280 sq km; Total Area: 424,164 sq mi (1,098,580 sq km)

Population (2022 est.): 12,054,379 (growth rate: 1.12%); birth rate: 18.61/1000; infant mortality rate: 22.28/1000; life expectancy: 72.5

Administrative Capital: La Paz, 1.908 million

Constitutional Capital: Sucre, 278,000

Largest City: Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 2.4 million

Other large cities: Santa Cruz 1.784 million; Cochabamba, 1.369 million (2022)

Monetary unit: Boliviano

National name: República de Bolivia
Current Government Officials
Languages: Spanish (official) 60.7%, Quechua (official) 21.2%, Aymara (official) 14.6%, Guarani (official), foreign languages 2.4%, other 1.2% note: Bolivia's 2009 constitution designates Spanish and all indigenous languages as official; 36 indigenous languages are specified, including some that are extinct (2001 census)

Ethnicity/race: Mestizo (mixed White and Amerindian ancestry) 68%, Indigenous 20%, White 5%, Cholo/Chola 2%, African descent 1%, other 1%, unspecified 3%; 44% of respondents indicated feeling part of some indigenous group, predominantly Quechua or Aymara (2009 est.)

National Holiday: Independence Day, August 6

Religion: Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 14.5%, Adventist 2.5%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.2%, agnostic 0.3%, atheist 0.8%, other 3.5%, none 6.6%, unspecified 0.6% (2018 est.)

Literacy rate: 92.5%. Male 96.5%, female 88.6% (2015 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2020 est.): $92.59 billion; per capita $7,900. Real growth rate: 2.2%. Inflation: 1.8%. Unemployment: 4% in urban areas with widespread underemployment. Arable land: 3.6%. Agriculture: soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber. Labor force: 5.719 million; agriculture 29.4%, industry 22%, services 48.6%. Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing. Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower. Exports: $7.55 billion (2020 est.): natural gas, soybeans and soy products, crude petroleum, zinc ore, tin. Major trading partners (exports): Argentina 16%, Brazil 15%, United Arab Emirates 12%, India 10%, United States 6%, South Korea 5%, Peru 5%, Colombia 5% (2019). Imports: $8.27 billion (2020 est.): petroleum products, plastics, paper, aircraft and aircraft parts, prepared foods, automobiles, insecticides, soybeans. Major trading partners (imports): Brazil 22%, Chile 15%, China 13%, Peru 11%, Argentina 8%, United States 7% (2017).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 598,082 (2020); mobile cellular: 11,804,343 (2020). Broadcast media: large number of radio and TV stations broadcasting with private media outlets dominating; state-owned and private radio and TV stations generally operating freely, although both pro-government and anti-government groups have attacked media outlets in response to their reporting (2019). Internet hosts: 180,988 (2012). Internet users: 7,003,817 (2020).

Transportation: Railways: total: 3,960 km (2019). Roadways: total: 90,568 km; paved: 9,792 km; unpaved: 80,776 km (2017). Waterways: 10,000 km (commercially navigable) (2012). Ports and harbors: Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay. Airports: 855 (2021 est.).
Major sources and definitions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Infoplease has everything you need to know about Bolivia. Check out our country profile, full of essential information about Bolivia's geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion, and languages. If that's not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Bolivia has a rich and diverse culture in the heart of Latin America. It's dynamic history, unique landmarks, and culture make the country stand out. Aside from all these, so many facts about Bolivia will fascinate you and blow your mind.

Bolivia is famous in South America for its beauty and legendary salt flats. The exotic wildlife, crooked prisons, and indigenous wrestling are some of the exciting things to explore in Bolivia.

Here are 25 interesting and fun Bolivia facts to know.

Facts About Bolivia - Demographic and The People

Bolivia has more than 30 languages.

Like other South American countries, Spanish is the most widely-spoken language, but there are over 30 languages other widely spoken in Bolivia. Quechua and Aymara are two other prominent languages in Bolivia.

In the Andes region, the two most common languages are Spanish and Quechua. However, you will find that Aymara is the most prominent in the Altiplano and around Lake Titicaca.

Bolivia has two Capitals.

One of the Bolivia facts most people don't know is that La Paz is actually not the official capital of Bolivia but the administrative capital city. It is a popular and famous city as La Paz is home to the country's seat of government and finance center.

However, Sucre serves as Bolivia's official capital because it is where the Supreme Court of Justice is located.

The World Largest Navigable Lake is located in Bolivia.

Lake Titicaca, which stands at 12,382 feet above sea level, is the highest navigable lake in the world. It is also the deepest and largest in South America by volume. You can find Lake Titicaca in the Andes and it is a popular trip for many tourists.

The highest population of Bolivia is indigenous people.

One of the Bolivian factsthat might be obvious when you visit is that almost 55% of Bolivia's Population is indigenous. This makes it the country with the highest population of indigenous people in Latin America.

It is a country steeped in history and the best place to visit if you are interested in knowing more about local culture, traditions, and history.

Bolivia has precious gems.

Bolivia is one of the few places where you can get Ametrine. The Ametrine is also known as Golden Amethyst, Trystine, or Boliviante. The precious stone is created with a combination of citrine and amethyst.

Ametrine is usually hexagonal, and it is yellow and purple. No two crystals are the same because of the natural combination of the gems.

One-Third of Bolivia are in the Andes Mountains

One of the important facts about Boliviayou should know is that most of the largest cities in Bolivia are situated in the Andes Mountains. This isn't a surprise as the country is known as a highland. Make sure you factor in time for acclimatization if you are coming in from somewhere low.

Historical Facts About Bolivia

Bolivia is named after Simon Bolivar, a prominent political leader.

Simon Bolivar led the Wars of Independence across South America, where he liberated five countries from Spanish rule. He liberated five countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

One of the historical facts about Bolivia is that the country was named after Simon Bolivar to honor him for his role in its liberation. He was also the first official president of Bolivia

Bolivia was known as Upper Peru before.

Bolivia was called Upper Peru during the Spanish reign and became independent on the 6th of August after fighting for liberation for many years.

The Pollera Skirt worn by Bolivian women was a symbol of their repression.

One of the historicalfacts about Bolivia that you must know is that the traditional outfits of a Bolivian woman, which includes a long-pleated skirt, represent their repression under the Colonial authorities.

The skirt, which represents pride now, was forced upon them by the Spanish Colonial authorities.

Bolivia was part of the Inca Empire.

Bolivia was formerly the center of the ancient "Tiwanaku" empire. The country was part of the Inca empire from the 15th century till the early 16th century.

Cultural Facts About Bolivia

Carnaval de Oruro is a popular festival in Bolivia.

There are so many cultural facts about Bolivia. A well-known one is the Carnaval de Oruro, an indigenous festival that started way back in the 18th century. Recently the festival has been incorporated with the catholic rituals in service to the Virgin of Candelaria.

This fascinating celebration includes waking the sleeping residents and getting everyone into party mode. The festival features beautiful costumes, folk dances, and lots of partying and lively music.

The Quechua people have the largest population.

Bolivia has about 36 indigenous cultures; of all, the Quechua people have the highest population. The Quechuan people are inhabitants of the mountainous Andes and are primarily farmers.

The Bolivia flag colors has meaning.

One of the facts about Bolivia to know is that the flag is symbolic of its history. The color red on the flag symbolizes bloodshed during the fight for freedom. Yellow represents the country's wealth and mineral deposits, while green means the amazing agriculture and landscape of the country.

Family is essential to Bolivia's culture.

Another Bolivia factis that it is traditional for many generations of families to live together in a single household. Men are the primary breadwinners, while women focus on the family and household chores.

Bolivia is the highest South America country.

One of the facts about Bolivia you should know is that it's the highest country and the most isolated country in South America. Moreover, Bolivia is also one of the only two interlocked countries in South America. The other being Paraguay.

Interesting Facts About Bolivia

Bolivia is extremely biodiverse.

40% of all the animal and plant life on earth is found in Bolivia. Numerous ecosystems thrive in Bolivia due to the climate and location in the tropics.

Bolivia is home to Madidi National Park, which contains 90 species of bat, 50 species of snake, 300 fish, and 12,000 plants. More than 17th percent of Bolivia's land is designated as a protected area.

Guinea Pig is a Delicacy in Bolivia.

One of the interesting facts about Bolivia is that the guinea pig, also known as Cuy, is eaten as traditional meat. It is a significant part of Bolivia's diet, especially in the Andes highlands. Guinea pig is served fried, roasted, or broiled.

There are butterfly sanctuaries in Bolivia.

If you are in for some adventure, you will love this Bolivia fact. Bolivia features one of the largest butterfly sanctuaries in the world. The butterfly paradise is huge, going for around 24 hectares and you can visit any day of the year. This beautiful sanctuary is home to more than 1000 species of butterflies.

The Bolivia Amazon has pink dolphins.

The Amazon basin in Bolivia is home to the Bolivian river dolphin. They were first discovered in 1832 and 2012. These dolphins are renowned for their pink color and even become pinker when excited.

Scientifically called the Inia Geoffrensis, these pink creatures are among the top five most intelligent freshwater species with a brain capacity 40% larger than the human brain.

Bolivia boast of the World's Largest Salt Flats.

The largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni, is one of Bolivia's most popular destinations and among the world's most fascinating places. It is about 10,582 km2, making it the world's largest.

When the salt flat is covered with a thin layer of water, it becomes reflective making it the world's largest natural mirror. This is where you get the iconic photos of the sky on land effect - beautiful cloudy skies reflected off the water's surface.

Zebras help people cross in Bolivia.

One of the astounding facts about Boliviais that there are zebras (People dressed as Zebra) that help people, especially children, cross the road carefully and also teach them road safety.

Fun Facts About Bolivia

You can only watch Cholita Wrestling in Bolivia.

One of the fun facts about Bolivia you will enjoy if you are an explorer is watching indigenous ladies wrestle. The sport is believed to provide victims of domestic violence community and relieve stress.

The match usually starts with a male attacking a female, and the Cholita always triumphs at the end, generally body-slamming her attacker. The Cholitas wear their hair in braids while rocking an iconic, puffy skirt. Catching the Cholitas Wrestle performance is a popular activity when you visit Bolivia.

There is a salt palace in Bolivia.

This fun fact about Bolivia may come off as shocking, but there is an actual salt hotel that offers luxurious accommodations with salt in every element of the hotel. Unsurprisingly, it is known as the Palacio de Sal (Palace of Salt) and you will find it on the famous Salar de Uyuni's coastlines.

The hotel features salt sculptures crafted by native artists as well as salt ceilings, walls, and furnishings.

Bolivia has the most dangerous road in the World.

If you are in for some adventure, you can cycle down the North Yungas Road, which connects La Paz Coroico. The road earned the nickname Death Road, and it has been estimated to kill 300 people in a year.

Treacherous mountain conditions, poor visibility, inadequate infrastructure, and absence of guardrails make the journey on this road deadly. However, this is now a popular guided bike tour.

San Pedro Prison used to be a well-known landmark in Bolivia.

The El Penal de San Pedro (Saint Peter's Prison) in La Paz is known for its walled society. The prison is home to 1,500 inmates, allowing them to live with their families.

Tourists were once allowed in the prison until the doors shut due to violence committed by inmates against visitors.

Discovering More Interesting And Fun Facts About Bolivia By visiting

There are just some of the top fun facts about Bolivia. Whether you're interested in the pink dolphins that live in the Amazon basin or the world's largest salt flats, Bolivia is a fascinating country with plenty of interesting things to explore.

There are still so many facts to discover about Bolivia's enchanting landscapes, traditions, and dynamic culture. The best way to discover them is by visiting yourself. Start planning your trip to the country to experience all these Bolivia facts and more firsthand.

PIN THESE FUN FACTS ABOUT BOLIVIA FOR LATER

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
25 Interesting And Fun Facts About Bolivia - Nomads Unveiled

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bolivia has a rich and diverse culture in the heart of Latin America. It's dynamic history, unique landmarks, and culture make the country stand out. Aside from all these, so many facts about Bolivia will fascinate you and blow your mind. Bolivia is famous in South America for its beauty and legendary salt flats.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Table of Contents

Bolivia, landlocked country of west-central South America. Extending some 950 miles (1,500 km) north-south and 800 miles (1,300 km) east-west, Bolivia is bordered to the north and east by Brazil, to the southeast by Paraguay, to the south by Argentina, to the southwest and west by Chile, and to the northwest by Peru. Bolivia shares Lake Titicaca, the second largest lake in South America (after Lake Maracaibo), with Peru. The country has been landlocked since it lost its Pacific coast territory to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-84), but agreements with neighbouring countries have granted it indirect access to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The constitutional capital is the historic city of Sucre, where the Supreme Court is established, but the administrative capital is La Paz, where the executive and legislative branches of government function.

Capital, Population, Government...

Audio File: National anthem of Bolivia

Show less

Bolivia is traditionally regarded as a highland country. Although only one-third of its territory lies in the Andes Mountains, most of the nation's largest cities are located there, and for centuries the highlands have attracted the nation's largest amount of mining, commercial, and business investment. In the late 20th century, however, the demographic and economic landscape began to change as the eastern lowlands-particularly the department of Santa Cruz-developed rapidly.

The country has a rich history. It was once the centre of the ancient Tiwanaku (Tiahuanaco) empire, and from the 15th to the early 16th century it was a part of the Inca empire. After the arrival of the conquistadores, Bolivia was subsumed within the Viceroyalty of Peru, and it provided Spain with immense wealth in silver.

Land

Relief

Bolivia's mountainous western region, which is one of the highest inhabited areas in the world, constitutes an important economic and political centre. There the Andes reach their greatest breadth and complexity. The system in Bolivia is dominated by two great parallel ranges. To the west along the border with Chile is the Cordillera Occidental, which contains numerous active volcanoes and the spectacular Uyuni Salt Flat; the cordillera is crowned by the republic's highest peak, Mount Sajama, reaching an elevation of 21,463 feet (6,542 metres). To the east is the Cordillera Oriental, whose spectacular northern section near La Paz is called Cordillera Real ("Royal Range"). An impressive line of snowcapped peaks, some exceeding 20,000 feet (6,100 metres), characterize this northern section, which maintains an average elevation of more than 18,000 feet (5,500 metres) for more than 200 miles (320 km). Between these ranges lies the Altiplano ("High Plateau"), which extends from southern Peru through Bolivia to northern Argentina. The plateau is a relatively flat-floored depression about 500 miles (800 km) long and 80 miles (130 km) wide, lying at elevations between 12,000 and 12,500 feet (3,650 and 3,800 metres). To the north of the Cordillera Real is the Apolobamba range, bordered on the western slopes by lakes and protected areas where vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas thrive. Terraced fields built hundreds of years ago lie at the foothills of snow-covered peaks, which have been sacred to the Indians since ancient times.

The surface of the Altiplano is composed mostly of water- and wind-borne deposits from the bordering mountains, and it slopes gently southward, its evenness broken by occasional hills and ridges. The margins of the Altiplano are characterized by numerous spurs and interlocking alluvial fans (accumulations of silt, gravel, and other debris that were brought down from the mountains and that have spread out in the shape of a fan). In the middle of the Altiplano are the Titicaca and Poopó lakes and basins, which traditionally have been important agricultural, economic, and cultural areas.

From the high, snowcapped slopes of the Cordillera Real and the Apolobamba range, the descent to the eastern plains is extremely precipitous, plunging through a rainy and heavily forested belt of rugged terrain known as the Yungas-an Aymara word roughly translated as "Warm Lands" or "Warm Valleys." The Yungas form the southern end of a region that extends along the eastern Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru (where it is called the Alto Selva ["High Rainforest"]) and continues southeast through Bolivia as far as Santa Cruz. In Bolivia the name Yungas often refers to a smaller region northeast of La Paz, which, like the neighbouring region of Alto Beni (the upper basin of the Beni River north of Caranavi), is part of the larger Yungas region.

In southern Bolivia the Andes become much wider and are formed by a high, tilted block called the Puna, with west-facing escarpments and more gentle eastward slopes down to the plains. The Puna is broken up by the Valles, a system of fertile valleys and mountain basins that are generally larger and less confined than those in the Yungas. They lie at elevations mostly between 6,000 and 9,500 feet (1,800 and 2,900 metres) and are noted for their rich, varied agriculture and the so-called garden cities of Cochabamba, Sucre, and Tarija.

North and east of the Andes and Yungas is the Oriente region, an extension of the Amazon River basin that covers more than two-thirds of Bolivia. The vast area of the Oriente is composed of low alluvial plains (llanos), great swamps, flooded bottomlands, open savannas, and tropical forests. It supports the greatest variety of wildlife in the nation, as well as the largest population centre (Santa Cruz city) and the fastest-growing of Bolivia's regional economies. In the extreme south is the Bolivian Chaco, which forms part of the Gran Chaco; it is a level area that varies strikingly with the seasons. During the rainy season it becomes a veritable swamp, but it is a hot semidesert during the remaining seven or eight months of the year. Northward from the Chaco the relief of the Santa Cruz department is somewhat more varied, exhibiting a gentle downward slope to the north. The Oriente includes much of the northern departments of Beni and Pando, where the low plains are covered by savanna and, in the far north, by expanses of tropical rainforest.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bolivia | History, Language, Capital, Flag, Population, Map, & Facts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bolivia, country of west-central South America. Although only one-third of Bolivia's territory lies in the Andes Mountains, most of the nation's largest cities are located there, and for centuries the highlands have attracted the nation's largest amount of mining, commercial, and business investment.