Geography

Bolivia occupies an area of 424,164 square miles (1,098,581 square kilometers). It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, and Chile and Peru to the west.

Bolivia's heartland is its mountainous western region, where the Andes stretch from north to south in two parallel ranges. The Cordillera Occidental runs along Bolivia's western border, and the Cordillera Oriental, or eastern range, is in central Bolivia. The highest peak is Sajama, at 21,463 feet (6,542 meters).

A large lowland stretches across the country to the east. This includes the Bolivian Chaco region in the extreme south of the country. The Chaco is an area of level land that changes dramatically with the seasons. In the rainy season, it turns into a swamp; for the rest of the year, it is a hot semidesert.

Bolivia's climate varies according to the altitude. The high peaks are cold enough to remain covered with snow and ice all year. The Altiplano and adjoining slopes are cool, with an average annual temperature of 50° F (10° C). The western half of the Altiplano has a dry climate, while its eastern half, influenced by Lake Titicaca, is more humid. The lowlands have tropical heat with an average annual temperature of about 77° F (25° C).

Plants and animals

Much of the Altiplano is barren, without trees, but coarse grass is common in the north, where llamas graze. Eucalyptus trees have been introduced around Lake Titicaca. Heavy forests cover the mountain slopes. The coca shrub, the source of cocaine, is also found in this region.

Drought-resistant grasses, shrubs, and small trees grow in the south of Bolivia, while Amazonian rain forest occurs in the far north. The thousands of different tree species there include rubber, Brazil nuts, and mahogany.

The wildlife in Bolivia includes members of the camel family—the llama, alpaca, guanaco, and vicuña. All are native to the Andes. The llama, the largest animal on the Altiplano, is a source of meat, wool, leather, and fuel. The smaller alpaca is reared for its soft wool. The Andean condor roosts and breeds in the mountains. Many smaller birds live around Lake Titicaca while large flocks of flamingos appear farther south. In the northern forests there are jaguars, sloths, monkeys, and tapirs. The rain forest is also home to many fish species and such brightly colored birds as parrots and toucans.

People and culture

Three groups make up the population of Bolivia: Indians, descendants of Bolivia's Spanish conquerors, and people of mixed descent. About half of the population is Indian. This group is divided into those who speak the Aymara language and those who speak Quechua, the language of the Incas. Aymara, Quechua, and Spanish are the official languages of Bolivia. Another 30 percent of the population is mestizo, or of mixed descent; the remaining 15 percent is white. The northern Altiplano is Bolivia's most densely populated region. The cities of La Paz and Oruro are located there, as are many small towns and villages. The official religion of Bolivia is Roman Catholicism.

Economy

Bolivia is one of the least-developed and poorest nations in South America. Political instability and a landlocked location have limited economic development. In the 1990s, however, the country made progress toward improving the economy.

The country has many natural resources. It is a major producer of tin. Reserves of zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, lead, and copper are found there, together with small quantities of gold. Bolivia also has reserves of oil and natural gas.

Exports include zinc, soybeans, gold, silver, oils, natural gas, and timber. Imports include capital goods, raw materials for industry, transportation equipment, and food.

History

The area that is now Bolivia has been inhabited for thousands of years. Archaeological remains indicate that an advanced people lived in the area around Lake Titicaca about 1,000 years ago. The region was later part of the powerful Inca Empire.

The Spanish conquered the area in the early 16th century. They ruled it as part of a larger region that included what is now Peru. The discovery in 1545 of rich silver deposits at Potosí brought great wealth to the region. By the end of the 18th century, however, the mines had begun to dry up. The Bolivians won their independence from Spain in 1825. They named the new republic after Simón Bolívar, who helped liberate the whole region from Spain.

The country experienced political chaos for many years after gaining independence. It also fought several battles with neighboring countries. In the War of the Pacific, which lasted from 1879 to 1884, Bolivia lost territory along the Pacific Ocean to Chile. In the Chaco War, from 1932 to 1935, Bolivia lost most of the Chaco region to Paraguay. Political and economic problems continued throughout the 20th century. Population (2000 estimate), 8,329,000.