Exploring Bolivia's Unique Administrative Divisions

how many states dose bolivia have

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America, bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. It is a unitary state consisting of nine departments, which are the primary subdivisions of Bolivia and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia. Each department is represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, with four Senators each, while Deputies are awarded in proportion to their total population. The departments are further divided into 112 provinces, which are then further divided into 337 municipalities.

Characteristics Values
Number of states 9
Names of states Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosí, Santa Cruz, Tarija
Most populous state La Paz (2,706,351 inhabitants as of 2012)
Largest state Santa Cruz (370,621 sq km)
Least populous state Pando (110,436)
Smallest state Tarija (37,623 sq km)

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Bolivia is divided into nine departments, with each department represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly

Bolivia is a unitary state that is divided into nine departments, each of which is represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly. The departments are the primary subdivisions of Bolivia and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia. The nine departments are: Pando, La Paz, Beni, Oruro, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Potosí, Chuquisaca, and Tarija.

The Plurinational Legislative Assembly is the national legislature of Bolivia and is based in La Paz, the country's seat of government. It is a bicameral legislature, consisting of a lower house (the Chamber of Deputies) and an upper house (the Chamber of Senators). Each house elects its own directorate, and each department is represented by four senators. The senators are elected from party lists to serve five-year terms, and the minimum age to hold a Senate seat is 35 years.

The Chamber of Deputies, on the other hand, comprises 130 seats, with 70 deputies elected to represent single-member electoral districts, 7 of which are Indigenous or Campesino seats elected by minority groups, and 60 elected from party lists on a departmental basis. Deputies also serve five-year terms and must be at least 25 years old on the day of the election.

The Plurinational Legislative Assembly is an important body that represents the interests of the nine departments of Bolivia and plays a crucial role in the country's legislative process.

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The departments are further divided into provinces, with 112 in total

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

Each of the nine departments is further divided into provinces, with 112 in total. The provinces are then divided into 337 municipalities, which are administered by an alcalde and municipal council.

The departments of Bolivia are as follows:

  • Pando
  • La Paz
  • Beni
  • Oruro
  • Cochabamba
  • Santa Cruz
  • Potosí
  • Chuquisaca
  • Tarija

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The country's provinces are then divided into municipalities, with 337 in total

Bolivia is a unitary republic with a representative democratic government. The country is divided into nine departments, 112 provinces, 337 municipalities, and 1,384 cantons. The municipalities are the third level of administrative divisions, below departments and provinces.

Municipalities in Bolivia are each led by a mayor and a municipal council. Mayors are chosen by absolute majority, and councilpersons are elected by universal, direct, and secret suffrage. Some provinces consist of only one municipality, in which case the municipality and province are identical.

As of 2010, there were 337 municipalities in Bolivia. This number has increased from 24 in 1994, 327 in 2005, and 339 in August 2010. The creation of new municipalities has been facilitated by the Law of Popular Participation, which states that new municipalities must have a minimum of 10,000 residents, or 5,000 in the case of border areas.

The municipalities are spread across the country's nine departments: Pando, La Paz, Beni, Oruro, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Potosí, Chuquisaca, and Tarija.

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The departments of Bolivia vary in size and population, with Santa Cruz being the largest and Pando the smallest

Bolivia is a unitary state that is divided into nine departments, which are its primary subdivisions. These departments vary in size and population. The largest is Santa Cruz, which is located in the far east of the country and covers 370,621 square kilometres (143,098 sq mi). Santa Cruz is also the most populous department, with a population of 2,706,351 as of 2020. The smallest department in terms of population is Pando, with 110,436 inhabitants. The smallest in area is Tarija, which covers 37,623 square kilometres (14,526 sq mi).

The departments of Bolivia are governed by democratically elected officials and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia. Each department is represented in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Each department elects four Senators, while the number of Deputies is awarded in proportion to the total population of the department.

The geography of Bolivia is diverse, with elevations ranging from the snow-capped peaks of the Andes in the west to the eastern lowlands within the Amazon basin. The country's population is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Mestizos, Europeans, Asians, and Africans, among others. The official and predominant language is Spanish, although 36 indigenous languages also have official status.

The departments of Bolivia can be grouped based on geography or political-cultural orientation. For example, Santa Cruz, Beni, and Pando comprise the lowland "Camba" heartlands of the Amazon, while La Paz, Oruro, Potosí, and Cochabamba are traditionally associated with Andean culture and politics.

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The departments are spread across three physiographic regions: the Andean region, the Sub-Andean region, and the Llanos region

Bolivia is a unitary state that is divided into nine departments. These departments are spread across three physiographic regions: the Andean region, the Sub-Andean region, and the Llanos region.

The Andean region, located in the southwest of the country, spans 28% of the national territory. This area is situated at an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) and above, nestled between the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Central. The Andean region is home to some of the highest spots in the Americas, such as Mount Sajama, which rises to an elevation of 6,542 meters (21,463 ft). The Altiplano, a high plateau, and Lake Titicaca, the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, are also found in this region.

The Sub-Andean region, which makes up 13% of Bolivia's territory, serves as an intermediate zone between the Altiplano and the eastern llanos. This region is known for its agricultural activities and temperate climate.

The Llanos region comprises 59% of the country's territory and is located in the northeast. It is a region of flat lands and small plateaus, covered by extensive rainforests that boast an incredibly diverse array of flora and fauna. The Llanos region sits below 400 meters (1,300 ft) above sea level.

Bolivia's geography varies significantly, from the snow-capped peaks of the Andes in the west to the eastern lowlands within the Amazon basin. One-third of the country lies within the Andean mountain range, while the remaining areas offer a diverse range of landscapes, from the rugged terrain of the Sub-Andean region to the lush rainforests and savannas of the Llanos region.

Frequently asked questions

Bolivia is a unitary state consisting of nine departments.

The nine departments are: Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosí, Santa Cruz, and Tarija.

The eastern department of Santa Cruz is the largest by area, encompassing 370,621 square kilometres (143,098 sq mi).

Tarija is the smallest department in Bolivia, with an area of 37,623 square kilometres (14,526 sq mi).

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