| Area |
1,098,581 sq km (424,164 sq miles). |
| Population |
9,100,000 (2005). |
| Capital |
Legal: Sucre - population 223,436 (2000). Administrative: La Paz. Population: 1,004,440 (2000). |
| Climate |
Bolivia has a temperate climate but with wide differences between day and night. The wettest period is November to March, which, in extreme circumstances, may induce landslides in mountainous areas, and cause certain roads to become impassable. The northeast slopes of the Andes are semi-tropical. Visitors often find La Paz uncomfortable because of the thin air due to high altitude. The mountain areas can become very cold at night. |
| Language |
The official languages are Spanish, Quechua, Aymará and Tupi Guaraní. English is also spoken by a small number of officials and businesspeople in commercial centres. |
| Religion |
Roman Catholic with a Protestant minority. |
| Time |
GMT - 4
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| Highlights |
La Paz, the world's highest capital city at 3,632m (11,910ft) above sea level, is the seat of the national government, with Mount Illimani in the background. A huge majority of the Bolivia people are indigenous - direct descendants of the Aymara Indians who have kept their traditions and folklore. Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake is shared between Bolivia and Peru and Copacabana, on the Bolivian side is renowned for its 'car baptisms' - where people bring their vehicles to be blessed by a priest. Oruro, Potosi and Sucre are all towns located on the high 'Altiplano' and are steeped in folklore - visitors can experience this firsthand at one of the numerous fiestas held throughout the year. Potosi was once the most important city in South America due to its mineral wealth, particularly silver. The jungle areas in the north and east of the country offer wildlife and ecotourism excursions and treks into the Amazon basin. Mountaineering and trekking in the Andes are popular and skiing on Mount Chacaltaya at an altitude of 5,486m (18,000ft) literally takes your breath away!
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| Country Facts |
Bolivia is a landlocked country bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, and Peru and Chile to the west. There are three main geographical areas: the first is the high plateau known as the 'Altiplano', a largely barren region lying about 4000m above sea level. It comprises 10% of the country's area and 70% of the population, nearly one-third of whom are urban dwellers. The second area is a fertile valley situated 1800m above sea level. The third area comprises the lowland tropics, which stretch down to the frontiers with Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. |