Exploring Bolivia's Administrative Divisions: How Many Departments?

Bolivia is a unitary state in South America that gained independence in the 19th century. It is divided into nine departments, which are its primary subdivisions and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia. Each department is represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, with four Senators each, and Deputies awarded in proportion to their total population.

Bolivia's nine departments

Bolivia is a unitary state in South America consisting of nine departments, which are its primary subdivisions. These departments are:

• Santa Cruz: The largest and most populous department, encompassing 370,621 square kilometres (143,098 sq mi). It is known for its rapid development and is home to the country's largest population centre, Santa Cruz city.
• La Paz: The original most populous department with 2,706,351 inhabitants as of 2012. It is home to the administrative capital of Bolivia, La Paz.
• Pando: The least populated department, with a population of 110,436.
• Tarija: The smallest department in area, encompassing 37,623 square kilometres (14,526 sq mi).
• Chuquisaca
• Cochabamba: The border between Cochabamba and El Beni is still undefined.
• El Beni: Also known as Beni.
• Oruro
• Potos: Potos may be derived from the Quechua word 'potojchi', meaning 'rumbling noise'.

Each of these departments is represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, with four Senators each, and Deputies awarded in proportion to their total population.

Departmental government

Bolivia is a unitary state in South America consisting of nine departments. These departments are the primary subdivisions of Bolivia and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia. Each department is represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, which is a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

The departments are further divided into provinces, which are then divided into sections, and then into cantons. The departments are governed by a prefect, who is appointed by the president for a four-year term. Prefects hold overall authority in military, fiscal, and administrative matters, working in each substantive area under the supervision of the appropriate minister. Centralised control is maintained by the president's appointment of subprefects, officials who administer the provinces.

Cantons are administered by corregidores (administrative officials), who are appointed by the prefect of their department. Serving under the corregidores are agentes (agents) who have quasi-judicial and quasi-executive functions.

The nine departments of Bolivia are:

• Santa Cruz
• La Paz
• Pando
• Tarija
• Chuquisaca
• Cochabamba
• Potos
• Oruro
• El Beni

Population

Bolivia is a unitary state made up of nine departments, also known as "departamentos" in Spanish. These departments are the primary subdivisions of Bolivia and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia. Each department is represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly by four Senators, while Deputies are awarded to each department in proportion to their total population.

As of 2012, the department of La Paz was the most populous, with 2,706,351 inhabitants. However, by 2020, the far eastern department of Santa Cruz had surpassed it, with a population of over 3 million people. Santa Cruz is also the largest department in terms of area, encompassing 370,621 square kilometers (143,098 sq mi). On the other hand, Pando is the least populated department, with a population of 110,436, while Tarija is the smallest in area, covering 37,623 square kilometers (14,526 sq mi).

The population of Bolivia has been steadily increasing since the late 1800s, reaching 10 million for the first time in 2012. The country's population density is 9.13 inhabitants per square kilometer, with an overall life expectancy of 65.4 years. The median age of the population is 23.1 years, and the gender ratio is 0.99 males per female. The total fertility rate is 2.87 children per mother, and the country has a positive natural growth rate, with the birth rate exceeding the death rate.

Bolivia is home to various ethnic groups, with the majority of the population being Mestizo, Quechua, and Aymara. There are also around three dozen indigenous groups, making up approximately half of the Bolivian population. The official languages of Bolivia reflect its cultural diversity, with Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani, and 34 other native languages recognized as official. Spanish is the most commonly spoken language, with 60.7% of the population speaking it.

Geography

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is a unitary state that gained independence in 1825 and adopted a new constitution in 2009. Bolivia has been landlocked since it lost its Pacific coast territory to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884). However, agreements with neighbouring countries have granted it indirect access to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The constitutional capital of Bolivia is Sucre, while the administrative capital is La Paz. The country is divided into nine departments, which are further subdivided into provinces, sections, and cantons.

The nine departments of Bolivia are:

• Santa Cruz
• La Paz
• Oruro
• Potosi
• Chuquisaca
• Cochabamba
• El Beni
• Tarija
• Pando

Each department is represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, with four Senators and Deputies awarded in proportion to their total population. The departments vary significantly in terms of geographical size and population. For example, Santa Cruz is the largest department, covering 370,621 square kilometres, while Tarija is the smallest, encompassing 37,623 square kilometres. In terms of population, La Paz was originally the most populous department, with 2,706,351 inhabitants as of 2012, but Santa Cruz has since surpassed it. Pando is the least populated department, with a population of 110,436.

Bolivia's mountainous western region, including the Andes Mountains, constitutes an important economic and political centre. The country's highest peak, Mount Sajama, reaching an elevation of 21,463 feet, is located in this region. The eastern lowlands, particularly the department of Santa Cruz, have also experienced rapid development and contribute significantly to the country's economic growth.

History

Bolivia is a unitary multiparty republic with nine departments, which are its primary subdivisions. Each department is represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

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

Bolivia gained independence in 1825 and established the departments of Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Potos, and Santa Cruz in 1826. The Oruro department was created in the same year, followed by the Tarija department in 1831. In 1842, the El Beni department was established, and in 1899, the Acre territory proclaimed its independence from Bolivia. In 1903, Brazil purchased the Acre territory from Bolivia for two million pounds in the Treaty of Petrópolis.

Bolivia has had numerous boundary disputes with its neighbours, usually losing. Its boundaries have remained stable since 1950. In 1932, Bolivia went to war with Paraguay over the Gran Chaco, a disputed territory between the Paraguay and Pilcomayo Rivers. Bolivia lost most of the territory, including parts of the Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz, and Tarija departments, in the peace settlement.

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