Bolivia's Absolute Location: Where On Earth Is It?

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is the fifth-largest country in South America and the largest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere. Bolivia is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. The country covers an area of 1,098,581 square kilometres (424,164 square miles) and has a population of approximately 12 million people. The constitutional capital of Bolivia is Sucre, while the administrative capital is La Paz.

Bolivia's location in South America

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is the fifth-largest country in South America and the largest landlocked nation in the Southern Hemisphere. Bolivia is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. Bolivia is a country of extremes, with a varied landscape that includes the Amazon Rainforest and the Andes Mountain Range.

The country's western half is covered by the Andes, which consist of three high mountain chains: the Cordillera Occidental, the Cordillera Central, and the Cordillera Oriental. The Altiplano, a high plateau, sits between the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera Oriental. The eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental descend into rolling hills, and numerous rivers flow eastward to form long valleys. The southeast of the country is covered by semi-arid plains that become swampy during heavy rains.

Bolivia's Altiplano contains several salt flats, the largest of which is the Uyuni Saltpan (Salar de Uyuni), which covers almost 3,500 square miles. The country's most important lake is Lake Titicaca, which straddles the border with Peru. At 3,810 meters above sea level, it is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. Bolivia also has the second-largest natural gas reserves in South America.

The country is administratively divided into nine departments: Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, and Tarija. These departments are further subdivided into provinces, municipalities, and cantons. La Paz, the administrative capital, is the seat of government and is the third most populous city in the country. The constitutional capital, Sucre, is located in the south-central part of the nation. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the largest and most populous city, is the chief commercial, industrial, and economic center of Bolivia.

The country's geography and natural resources

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. Bolivia has a varied geography, with rugged Andes Mountains, a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, and lowland plains of the Amazon Basin. The country can be divided into three physiographic regions: the Andean region, the Sub-Andean region, and the Llanos region.

The Andean region spans 28% of the national territory and is located above 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) altitude. It is home to the Cordillera Occidental and Cordillera Central mountain ranges, which include numerous active volcanoes and the Uyuni Salt Flat. The Altiplano, a high plateau between these two ranges, is another prominent feature of this region. It has a gradual slope from north to south and is drained by the Desaguadero River, which flows into Lake Poopó. Lake Titicaca, the second-largest lake in South America, is shared with Peru and is located on the Altiplano.

The Sub-Andean region makes up 13% of the territory and is an intermediate area between the Altiplano and the eastern lowlands. This region is distinguished by its farming activities and temperate climate.

The Llanos region comprises 59% of the territory and is located north of the Cordillera Central. It is a flat area with small plateaus and extensive rainforests. The region has a humid tropical climate with an average temperature of 25 °C (77 °F).

Bolivia has a wide range of natural resources, including tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, and timber. The country also has significant lithium deposits, making it an important player in the global market for this critical mineral.

The country's varied geography and natural resources have shaped its economic activities and development. The eastern lowlands, for example, have played a minor role in the economy due to their sparse population, but this is changing with the discovery of natural gas and petroleum resources. The agricultural sector, particularly in the Sub-Andean region, has grown exponentially in recent years and contributes significantly to the country's economy.

Bolivia's climate and weather

The Andean region, spanning the southwest of Bolivia, experiences desert-polar climates with strong, cold winds. The average temperature ranges from 15°C to 20°C, but temperatures can drop just above freezing at night. This region, including the Altiplano, is known for its cold and semi-arid climate due to its high altitude.

The Sub-Andean region, located in the centre and south of the country, serves as an intermediate zone between the Altiplano and the eastern lowlands. This area has a temperate climate and is known for its farming activities.

The Llanos region, covering the northeast of Bolivia, encompasses flat lands and small plateaus within extensive rainforests. This region has a humid tropical climate with an average temperature of 25°C. The winds from the Amazon rainforest bring significant rainfall, but during May, dry winds from the south lead to clearer skies and cooler temperatures.

In addition to these three main regions, Bolivia also includes the Yungas and Chaco areas. The Yungas, located northeast of La Paz, has a warm, humid, and tropical climate. Snow occurs at altitudes above 2,000 meters. The Chaco, on the other hand, has a subtropical semi-arid climate with warm days and cold nights.

Bolivia's climate is also influenced by the seasonal variations of summer and winter. Summer, from November to March, is typically the rainy season, with warm temperatures in the east and drier conditions in the west. Winter, from April/May to October, is the dry season, characterised by colder temperatures, particularly in the highlands.

The country's diverse altitudes, ranging from 90 to 6,542 meters above sea level, contribute to its varied biologic diversity. This diversity is further enhanced by the presence of four types of biomes, 32 ecological regions, and 199 ecosystems within its borders.

The wildlife of Bolivia

Bolivia is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. The country's rugged geography and varied climate have led to the development of different ecosystems, allowing thousands of animal, bird, and plant species to thrive. Bolivia is home to many different types of animals, and it is thought that many species are yet to be discovered.

The country's wildlife includes the Bolivian River Dolphin, also known as the bufeo, which is found in the upper Madeira river basin. This rare dolphin is smaller, lighter grey, and has more teeth than its relative, the Amazon River Dolphin. Bolivia is also home to the Andean Flamingo, a brightly coloured bird that inhabits areas of extreme altitude and a saline environment.

The country is also home to the Giant Otter, a carnivorous mammal that hunts for fish in freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes. The Giant Otter is the longest of the otter family, reaching up to 1.7 metres in length. Another large mammal found in Bolivia is the Guanaco, a native species related to the camel family. The Guanaco has a slender neck and graceful legs, and can run at speeds of up to 56 kilometres per hour.

Bolivia is also home to several species of birds, including the Andean Condor, the largest flying bird in the Americas. The Condor has a wingspan of up to 11 feet and is found in the Andes Mountains. The country also has several species of parrots and toucans that inhabit the lowland jungles.

In addition to its diverse wildlife, Bolivia also boasts a wide variety of plant life, including the coca plant, of which Bolivia is a major producer.

The history of Bolivia

In the late 18th century, a notable but ill-fated indigenous revolt against the Spanish authorities was led by Túpac Amaru II. Upper Peru joined the Spanish American wars of independence in the early 19th century and the Bolivian Republic was established in 1825, named after Simón Bolívar.

In the course of the 19th century, Bolivia fell into wars against its neighbours, culminating in a devastating loss in the War of the Pacific, which resulted in Bolivia losing its access to the sea, along with rich nitrate fields. Bolivia faced further losses in the Chaco War against Paraguay in the 1930s. The Bolivian National Revolution broke out in the 1950s, attempting a program of nationalization of resources and expansion of suffrage. The country fell into military rule and experienced a series of coups until a transition to democratic government in the 1980s.

Bolivia's modern politics have been dominated by Evo Morales until he resigned in the wake of the 2019 Bolivian political crisis.

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