Bolivia

Geography

Bolivia is a landlocked country bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Peru and Chile to the west, and Argentina and Paraguay to the south. The climate varies by altitude, from cold and arid to humid and semitropical. There is a wide range of biodiversity.

Around one-third of the country consists of agricultural land, and 52.5 percent of the land is forest.

The highest point of the country is Nevado Sajama, an extinct volcano that sits at 21,463 feet (6,542 meters) above sea level. The lowest point is the Rio Paraguay at 295 feet (90 meters). The mean elevation is 3910.7 feet (1,192 meters).

Almost half of Bolivia’s population lives on the Altiplano, a plateau that forms the western part of the country. The plateau is enclosed by two chains of the Andes mountains and has an average altitude of 12,000 ft (3,658 m).

Three cities are located on the Altiplano, including Oruro, Potosi, and the administrative capital, La Paz.

The northern and eastern two-thirds of the country comprise The Oriente, a lowland region in the Amazon basin that includes rainforests and grasslands. Lake Titicaca, the highest commercially navigable body of water in the world, is located in the northeast, as is the salt lake Poopo.

The forested Yungas region serves as the border between the Altiplano and the lowlands.

The Salar de Uyuni salt flats are located in the southwest of the country.

Madidi National Park, which sits in the upper Amazon river basin, is a jungle.

Twenty percent of the world’s tropical glaciers are in Bolivia. They are in particular danger from climate change.

Government

Bolivia has a Unitary Presidential Republic. Its governments have been democratically elected since 1982.

The 2009 constitution established a balance of power between the executive, legislative, judicial, and electoral powers. Additionally, constitutional reforms have decentralized power to municipalities, departments, and indigenous territories.

There are nine governmental departments that administer the areas of La Paz, Beni, Pando, Oruro, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Potosi, Chuqisaca, and Tarija.

The executive branch of the Bolivian government is led by a president and vice president, who are elected by popular vote every five years, and consists of a variable number of ministries (currently there are twenty).

The Legislative branch consists of a bicameral body, the Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional. Members are elected by popular vote to five-year terms.

The Camera de Diputados has 130 members elected to five-year terms. Its members include representatives of single-member districts, seven representatives of indigenous peoples from seven departments, and 60 members elected by proportional representation.

The Camera de Senadores has 36 members—four for each department (district).

The Judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Plurinational Constitutional Court, the Judiciary Council, the Agrarian and Environmental Court, the district courts, and the lower courts. Judges for the national courts are chosen by popular vote.

The Plurinational Electoral Court is the independent body that oversees elections.

International Affairs

Bolivia has been involved with several international situations that have drawn eyes from around the globe, including the following.

International Disputes

Bolivia currently has several ongoing disputes with neighboring countries.

Argentina: There are problems with trafficking of narcotics, contraband, and people over the Bolivian-Argentine border.

Brazil: Brazil and Bolivia have an ongoing dispute over the Isla Suárez/Ilha de Guajará-Mirim, on the Río Mamoré. The Roboré Accord (1958) put the island under Bolivian administration, but did not resolve the issue of sovereignty over the land.

Chile and Peru: Bolivia has a longstanding desire to regain sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean via the Atacama Corridor. This part of Bolivia was ceded to Chile in the 19th century after the War of the Pacific (1879-1833).

Chile and Peru dispute Bolivia’s claim to sovereign Pacific access, though both countries offer Bolivia unrestricted access to ports.

Peru: There are disputes regarding smuggling of artifacts, timber, and narcotics from Peru to Bolivia. Human trafficking and the trafficking of falsified documents are also issues.

Smuggling and Trafficking

Illegal trafficking of people, narcotics, and contraband continue to be issues on the borders with all of Bolivia’s neighbors (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru).

Bolivia is currently the world’s third largest producer of cocaine, and a major conduit for Peruvian cocaine. In 2020, coca production totalled 39,400 hectares. Cocaine is primarily for export to other Latin American countries, including Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Bolivian cocaine also goes to West Africa and Europe.

Refugees and Displaced Persons

Bolivia is currently host to around 12,400 refugees from Venezuela (2022 estimate).

Culture

Bolivia has an extremely diverse culture with many different indigenous groups and 36 recognized languages in addition to Spanish.

The indigenous peoples of Bolivia fall into two main groups: the Andean peoples of the Altiplano and the lowland groups in central and Eastern Bolivia. Indigenous people comprise around half of the Bolivian population. The two main indigenous groups are the Aymara and the Quechua.

Much of the population of Bolivia is of mixed indigenous and European descent. There are also significant communities of Japanese and Afro-Bolivian people.

Cultural Importance and Traditions

Bolivia’s primary cultural influences have been Spanish, Aymara, Quechua, and the popular cultures of Latin America. With its multitude of influences, however, Bolivian culture is very diverse.

Bolivia is home to a rich tradition of folk music and folklore. There are two famous carnivals each year: one in Oruro and another in Tarabuco. The Oruro carnival features dancing, textiles, masks, and a procession, and has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The town of Copacabana, on the shore of Lake Titicaca, is home to a 16th-century shrine to Our Lady of Copacabana, the patron saint of Bolivia. The quaint town is a popular tourist destination.

Arts and Entertainment

Dance and music are two very important parts of traditional Bolivian culture.

There are many types of regional music, however, Andean folk music is probably the best-known outside of Bolivia. There are a variety of traditional instruments, including different types of flutes (sicu, tarka, pinkilla, zampona), drums, and stringed instruments like the charango and guitar.

Traditional dances are very popular as well, and contain elements of Spanish and indigenous traditional dance.

La Paz is home to three prestigious art museums: the National Museum of Arts, the Salar Galeria de Arte, and the Casa Museo Nunez del Prado. The Museo de Arte Antonio Paredes Candia in El Alto has an excellent collection of art by Bolivia’s most prominent artists, as well as a library of over 10,000 books.

Sports

As in many South American countries, soccer enjoys wide popularity in Bolivia, both as a spectator sport, and in terms of participation.

Outdoor sports are also very popular, including mountain climbing, horseback riding, rappelling, hiking, and mountain biking.

Religion

Bolivia is a secular state that guarantees freedom of religion and separation of church and state. The majority of the population identifies as Christian.

A 2018 estimate puts 70 percent of the population as Roman Catholic, 14.5 percent as Evangelical, 2.5 percent as Adventist, 1.2 percent as Church of Jesus Christ, and 11.2 percent identifying as agnostic, atheist, none, unspecified, or other.

Information About Local Cuisine

Bolivian cuisine is truly international. Its influences include the cuisines of Spain, Germany, Italy, France, and the Arab world—in addition to those of local indigenous groups.

Cuisine on the Altiplano makes use of various spices, while lowlands cuisine is rich in fruits, vegetables, and fish. Cassava figures prominently in the lowlands cuisine.

The traditional staple foods of the region are corn, potatoes, quinoa, and beans.

What Language is Spoken in the Country?

Spanish is the primary language of Bolivia. However, the government recognizes 36 additional indigenous languages.

What the National Holiday is and Why it’s Important.

The most important national holiday is Independence Day (August 6), when Bolivia became independent from Spain (1825).

Economy

The Bolivian economy has three major sectors: agriculture (13.8%), industry( 37.8%), and services (48.2%, 2017 est.).

Bolivia is rich in natural resources, including the second-largest natural gas reserve in the world. State policies that deter investment, however, have resulted in Bolivia being one of the poorest and least developed countries in South America.

Other challenges include a lack of foreign investment in Bolivian mining and hydrocarbon production and conflict between various domestic social groups.

An economic crisis in the early 1980s led to economic reforms in the 1990s that stimulated growth and cut poverty rates.

2003 to 2005 brought a crisis of political instability, racial tensions, and violent protests against the export of Bolivia’s newly-discovered natural gas to countries in the northern hemisphere.

Between 2010 and 2014, high prices for commodities led to rapid growth in the country’s GDP and large trade surpluses. Those rates dropped again in late 2014 due to a global decline in oil prices.

In 2015, President Evo Morales expanded efforts to increase energy production and attract international investment. The next year, the Bolivian government approved the National Economic and Social Development Plan, which aimed to maintain a growth rate of five percent and reduce poverty.

In 2018, the country passed the Country Strategic Plan aimed at addressing high levels of malnutrition, child anemia, and other nutrition-related challenges. Another Economic and Social Development Plan was put forth in 2021, in partnership with the International Development Bank.

History

Famous since Spanish colonial days for its mineral wealth, modern Bolivia was once a part of the ancient Inca empire. After the Spaniards defeated the Incas in the 16th century, Bolivia's predominantly Indian population was reduced to slavery. The remoteness of the Andes helped protect the Bolivian Indians from the European diseases that decimated other South American Indians.

But the existence of a large indigenous group forced to live under the thumb of their colonizers created a stratified society of haves and have-nots that continues to this day. Income inequality between the largely impoverished Indians who make up two-thirds of the country and the light-skinned European elite remains vast.

Pre-Columbian History

The first people arrived in the Andes region around 10,000 BCE.

Over time, the communities in the Lake Titicaca area coalesced into the Tiwanaku Polity, a multicultural network of families. This would become one of the most significant civilizations in the Andes, with large-scale agriculture, trading, and an urban population. The Tiwanaku period would last from 1200 BC to 1000 AD.

Around 1000 BC, the Aymara Kingdom emerged as the most powerful entity in the region. The Aymara and Tiwanaku struggled for dominance until the area was incorporated into the Inca empire in 1450.

At that time, the Inca Empire included areas currently in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia.

Despite a strong central government and military, the Incas never fully conquered either the Ayamara or the nomadic peoples of the lowlands. This would help to bring about their fall to the Spanish in the 16th century.

Spanish Colonial Rule

By 1533, the Spanish conquest of the Inca empire was complete. Present-day Bolivia was known as Charcas and was under the rule of the Viceroy of Peru in Lima. Locally, control fell to the Audencia de Charcas, located in the modern-day constitutional capital of Sucre.

The discovery of silver in the area caused explosive economic and population growth. The Spanish brutally enslaved the local population. In 1781, Tupac Katari led a rebellion against indigenous people and laid siege to La Paz.

Back in Europe, the Napoleonic Wars were weakening the Spanish government. Combined with anti-colonial sentiment in the Spanish colonies, it would eventually spell the end of colonial rule.

19th Century

On May 25, 1809, there was a popular uprising in Chuquisaca (now known as Sucre) against Ramón García León de Pizarro, the Spanish governor of Chuquisaca. The Chuquisaca Revolution was followed by the La Paz Revolution on July 16 of the same year.

Both uprisings were crushed by Spanish authorities, but over the next few years, the Spanish American Wars of Independence rocked the continent.

A republic was declared in Bolivia on August 6, 1825. The republic was named The Republic of Bolivar after Simon Bolivar, the military leader who successfully led Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama to independence from the Spanish.

The country won its independence in 1825 and was named after Simón Bolívar, the famous liberator. Hampered by internal strife, Bolivia lost great slices of territory to three neighboring nations. Several thousand square miles and its outlet to the Pacific were taken by Chile after the War of the Pacific (1879–1884).

The remainder of the 19th century was a time of war and shifting alliances between Bolivia, Peru, and Chile. It was also a time of political instability. A worldwide increase in the price of silver in the last part of the century returned prosperity and stability to the country.

20th Century

In the first part of the century, tin replaced silver as Bolivia’s most valuable export. Economic and social elites controlled the country, and economic inequality was severe.

In 1903, a piece of Bolivia's Acre Province, rich in rubber, was ceded to Brazil. And in 1938, after losing the Chaco War of 1932–1935 to Paraguay, Bolivia gave up its claim to nearly 100,000 sq mi of the Gran Chaco. Political instability ensued.

Conditions were exacerbated by Bolivia’s defeat in the Chaco War (1932-1935), which resulted in significant land concessions to Paraguay. In 1943, Bolivia entered the second world war on the Allied side.

1952 saw a revolution by the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (MNR). The MNR undertook several important reforms, including nationalizing the tin mines, agrarian reform, and instituting universal suffrage.

A military coup in 1964 under René Barrientos overthrew the MNR. Barrientos ruled until his death in 1969. His successor was deposed by a second military coup.

In 1965, a guerrilla movement mounted from Cuba and headed by Maj. Ernesto (Ché) Guevara began a revolutionary war. With the aid of U.S. military advisers, the Bolivian army smashed the guerrilla movement, capturing and killing Guevara on Oct. 8, 1967.

A string of military coups followed before the military returned the government to civilian rule in 1982, when Hernán Siles Zuazo became president. At that point, Bolivia was regularly shut down by work stoppages and had the lowest per capita income in South America.

In 1971, Colonel Hugo Banzer Suarez led a third military coup and ruled as a dictator until 1978. A fourth coup deposed Banzer.

In 1982 a military junta handed over power to a civilian administration led by Silez Zuazo. Zuazo resigned in 1985 after a general strike and attempted coup. Parliament installed Paz Estenssoro as president.

In 1989, Jaime Paz Zamora became president and entered a power-sharing pact with former dictator Hugo Banzer. Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada served as president from 1993 to 1997, when Banzer was again elected. Banzer served as president until 2001.

In June 1993, free-market advocate Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada was elected president. He was succeeded by former general Hugo Bánzer, an ex-dictator turned democrat who became president for the second time in Aug. 1997. Bánzer made significant progress in wiping out illicit coca production and drug trafficking, which pleased the United States.

However, the eradication of coca, a major crop in Bolivia since Incan times, plunged many Bolivian farmers into abject poverty. Although Bolivia sits on South America's second-largest natural gas reserves as well as considerable oil, the country has remained one of the poorest on the continent.

21st Century

President Banzer withdrew from office in 2001 and was replaced by his vice president, Jorge Quiroga. Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada succeeded Quiroga as president in 2002.

In 2002 and 2003, government proposals to institute an income tax, eradicate coca crops, and export Bolivia’s natural gas via Chile resulted in violent protests. De Lozada resigned and was replaced by Carlos Mesa, after months of rioting and strikes over a gas-exporting project that protesters believed would benefit foreign companies more than Bolivians.

Further protests followed other gas export proposals. Resource-rich districts and indigenous-majority areas pushed for autonomy from the central government.

Despite continued unrest, Mesa remained popular during his first two years as president. In a July 2004 referendum on the future of the country's significant natural gas reserves (the second largest in South America), Bolivians overwhelmingly supported Mesa's plan to exert more control over foreign gas companies.

Mesa managed to satisfy the strong anti-privatization sentiment among Bolivians without shutting the door on some limited form of privatization in the future. But rising fuel prices in 2005 led to massive protests by tens of thousands of impoverished farmers and miners, and on June 6 Mesa resigned. Supreme court justice Eduardo Rodriguez took over as interim president.

In 2005, indigenous activist Evo Morales became the country’s first indigenous president.

Morales embarked on an ambitious slate of social, human rights, legal, educational, and economic development initiatives. His nationalization of the energy industry in 2006 brought him into conflict with the United States, as well as with industrial leaders.

After it was revealed that USAID had provided financial support to opposition forces, fuelling violent conflict, a diplomatic crisis ensued between the two countries. Morales won the next election handily and ruled until 2019 when he resigned amid violence over suspected election fraud.

An interim president, Jeanine Anez Chavez served until the November 8, 2020 inauguration of Luis Alberto Arce Catacora.

News and Current Events 

Bolivia's First Indigenous President Asserts the Rights of the Native Population

Bolivian Indian activist Evo Morales of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) won 54% of the vote in Dec. 2005 presidential elections, becoming the country's first indigenous president.

He carried out two of his three major initiatives in 2006: nationalizing Bolivia's energy industry, which is expected to double the country's annual revenues; and forming in August a constituent assembly to rewrite the constitution, which will ensure greater rights for indigenous Bolivians.

His third major initiative is to legalize the growing of coca, which many Bolivians consider an integral part of their culture. In July 2007, Morales announced plans to nationalize the country's railways, which for the past 10 years have been run by investors from Chile and the United States. His controversial coca policy, his plans to limit foreign investment, and his close ties with the leftist governments of Venezuela and Cuba have predictably antagonized the United States. Morales has referred to himself as the “United States' biggest nightmare.”

On Dec. 9, 2007, Morales presented a new constitution to congress. The new chapter, which will give indigenous people more rights, recognize 37 official languages, and grant indigenous communities autonomy, was approved by 164 of the 255 constituent assembly members. The opposition boycotted the meeting, however, claiming that the document is illegal because it was not approved by the required two-thirds majority. Regardless of the opposition, the government plans to submit the document to a referendum in 2008.

On May 4, 2008, at least one person died and many were injured when clashes broke out in the Santa Cruz province after a poll was held in opposition to President Morale's government. The government strongly disapproved of the prosposed referendum, which would give more autonomy to the Santa Cruz province, including the ability to elect its own legislature, raise taxes for public works, and create its own police force.

On Aug. 10, 2008, President Morales won a recall referendum with 63.5 percent of voters supporting his administration. The recall vote was an unsuccessful effort to remove Morales from office by Podemos, an opposition party—Morales has garnered criticism from some lowland provinces for his policies, including the acceptance of financing from Venezuela.

On Sept. 10, 2008, President Morales ordered the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, Philip Goldberg, to leave the country, accusing Goldberg of "conspiring against democracy" and encouraging rebel groups who were protesting in eastern Bolivia.

In November, 2008, relations between Bolivia and the United States deteriorated further—the U.S. suspended duty-free access for Bolivian exports and President Morales suspended U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration operations, accusing its agents of espionage.

A new constitution that extended the rights of the indigenous majority, granted increased autonomy to the states, and allowed the president to run for a second five-year term was passed in a national referendum in January 2009 despite widespread protests.

In December, Morales was elected to a second term, taking more than 60% of the vote, well ahead of his conservative opponent.

Constitutional Court Rules That Morales Can Seek Third Term

In the spring of 2013, Bolivia's Constitutional Court ruled that President Evo Morales could run for a third term in the 2014 elections. Even though the country's constitution only allows two consecutive terms, the court ruled that Morales's first term would not be counted because it predated Bolivia's current constitution, which was amended in 2009. The 2009 constitution limited both the president and vice-president to two consecutive terms. Opposition and critics said the ruling proved that the government controlled the court.

In May 2013, President Morales expelled the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID). Morales had threated to expel the agency for some time, accusing it in the past of funding groups that opposed his policies such as a planned highway through a rainforest preserve. A state news agency in Bolivia reported that the USAID was "accused of alleged political interference in peasant unions and other social organizations." USAID, which had nine American employees in Bolivia, had already reduced its presence in the country. In 2007, USAID had an $89 million budget for programs in Bolivia. However, the budget had been decreased to $17 million in 2013.

Meanwhile, on May 16, 2013, hundreds of teachers, miners and other workers marched into Bolivia's capital. It was the 11th day of demonstrations for higher pensions. Protestors asked for their pensions, which ranged from $21 to $28 a month, to be doubled. Protestors attempted to take over the plaza where the government was located and miners set off dynamite. Police fought off protestors with tear gas.

Morales Embroiled in Controversy Involving NSA Leaker Snowden

Bolivia found itself involved in the international controversy surrounding the future of Edward Snowden, the former CIA employee who leaked top-secret information about U.S. domestic surveillance to several news organizations in June 2013. President Morales offered asylum to Snowden.

Bolivia was one of about 20 countries from which Snowden sought asylum. On July 3, the plane carrying Morales from Russia back to Bolivia was diverted because several European nations, believing that Snowden was on board the plane, refused Morales access to their airspace. The move created a diplomatic furor, and Morales called the incident an "affront to all [Latin] America," and the vice president, Alvaro Garcia, said Morales was "being kidnapped by imperialism."

France apologized the day after the incident. Morales's regional allies, including presidents from Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela, met in a show of solidarity and demanded an explanation about the incident.

Morales Wins Third Consecutive Term

President Evo Morales won a third consecutive term on Oct. 12, 2014, taking 61% of the vote. His closest opponent in the election was the Democratic Unity Party's Samuel Doria Medina who received 24.5%. During his victory speech, Morales said, "This victory is the victory of the anti-colonialists and the anti-imperialists."

Morales dedicated his third term re-election to Hugo Chávez. Critics expressed fear that Morales would follow Chávez's lead and attempt to stay in office past 2020. The Constitution currently bars him from seeking a fourth term, but last year Bolivia's Constitutional Court ruled that Morales could run for a third term in the 2014 elections. Many suspect his party would seek another change to the Constitution, allowing him to run again like Chávez did in Venezuela.

Indeed, a referendum was set for Feb. 21, 2016, for voters to decide if Bolivia's Constitution should be changed to allow Morales to seek another term in 2020. The country's first indigenous president, Morales is seen as a successful leader who has reduced poverty and given a voice to Bolivia's indigenous people.

However, days before the Feb. 2016 referendum, news broke that Morales had fathered a child out of wedlock with a young woman in 2007, a year before he became president. The most damaging part of the scandal was evidence that the young woman, Gabriela Zapata, had benefited financially due to her relationship with Morales. For example, the company where she works as a top executive has received government contracts worth over $500 million.

A few days after the report, Morales admitted to the affair and having fathered the child who died shortly after birth. As for relations to Zapata, Morales said, "After 2007, I cut all ties." However, a Bolivian news agency published a 2015 photo of Morales and Zapata embracing at a carnival. The scandal torpedoed Morales's hopes for run for a fourth term as voters narrowly rejected the referendum.

How Bolivia’s Government Kept Inflation Under Control

In December 2022, many South American countries are suffering from runaway inflation. Bolivia, with an inflation rate of just over 3%, appears to be the exception. In fact, Bolivia has the lowest inflation in the region.

This is due to several government policies, including a fixed currency exchange rate. Holding the rate steady stabilizes prices, improves consumer confidence, and makes imports cheaper.

On the other hand, this makes it more difficult for domestic producers to sell their wares.

Bolivia is also helping to insulate its citizens against rising fuel and food prices by heavily subsidizing both. Bolivia is a fuel producer, and the state has a monopoly on fuel sales, so it can keep prices low for consumers.

Some argue, however, that these measures aren’t sustainable in the long term.

Source: Foreign Policy

Peru-Bolivia Border Blocked by Protesters

More than 20 people have been killed in protests along the Peru-Bolivia border, and parts of the border are blocked off from cross-border travel.

In December 2022, former president Pedro Castillo was impeached after he attempted to dissolve Parliament. Dina Boluarte replaced Castillo. She is Peru’s first female president.

Protesters are calling for her resignation.

Source: BBC News

Dispute Between Chile and Bolivia over Silala Settled by ICG Ruling

The International Court of Justice has ruled that the Silala River is an international waterway, ending a dispute between Bolivia and Chile.

The judge ruled that:

• Chile does not need Bolivia’s permission to use the river
• Both above-ground and below-ground water flows from Bolivia to Chile, so Bolivia has the right to maintain or dismantle existing canals
• Both countries must cooperate in protecting the waterway

Source: MercoPress

Bluegrace Energy Empowers Indigenous Communities and Launches Environmental Initiative

Bluegrace Energy has launched several initiatives aimed at empowering indigenous communities in Bolivia and protecting the environment.

In Sepember 2022, the company signed a cooperation agreement with CIDOB (the Confederation of Nations and Indigenous Peoples of the Chaco, East, and Amazon of Bolivia). Bluegrace also agreed to deliver food support to indigenous families in need, and water to community fire brigades.

The company’s Adopt a Forest campaign aims to protect Bolivia’s 20.5 million acres of forest.

Source: LeLezard

Amid Protests, Bolivia Sets a Date for a New Census

Bolivian president Luis Arce has set a date for a new census. The census will take place on March 23, 2024. The last Bolivian census took place in 2012.

Before the announcement, the La Paz region had been rocked by protests by people who feared that a new census would be delayed until after the 2025 elections.

A census is needed to update spending allocations, as well as the number of seats to which the La Paz region would be allocated in Parliament.

The protests left four people dead and 170 injured.

Source: France 24

In Bolivia, Literacy Training Makes a Big Difference

In 2022, more than 20,000 Bolivian seniors learned to read through the government-sponsored “Bolivia Reads” literacy program.

In 1995, Bolivia had a 23% illiteracy rate. In 2022, that rate is only 2.7%, thanks to the program.

Source: SFGate

Bolivia and Beyond

Bolivia is a fascinating country, with breathtakingly beautiful geography and unparalleled cultural diversity.

Would you like to learn more about Bolivia and its neighbors? Check out our treasure trove of articles about Latin America and the Caribbean.

See also Encyclopedia: Bolivia; U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Bolivia.

National Institute of Statistics (INE) (In Spanish Only) www.ine.gov.bo/ .