Damon Mcknight
Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America, sharing borders with Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru. The country is bisected by the Andes Mountains, which define its three geographic zones: the mountains and Altiplano in the west, the semitropical Yungas and temperate valleys of the eastern mountain slopes, and the tropical lowlands or plains of the eastern lowlands, or Oriente, in the east. The Altiplano is a high plateau between two mountain ranges, featuring valleys, hills, salt flats, volcanoes, rivers and lakes. The Uyuni Salt Flats, the world's largest salt flats, are a famous highlight of the region. Bolivia's landscape also includes rainforests, arid deserts, red lagoons, giant cacti fields, and the world's highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | 1,098,581 square kilometres (roughly twice the size of Spain) |
| Population | 10,800,900 – 12,341,000 |
| Official languages | Spanish and 36 indigenous languages |
| Capital | La Paz, Sucre |
| Terrain | Rugged Andes Mountains, highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin |
| Natural resources | Tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower |
| Land borders | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru |
| Land use | Arable land: 3.97%, permanent crops: 0.20%, other: 95.83% |
| Irrigated land | 1,282 km2 |
| Renewable water resources | 622.5 cubic kilometres |
| Natural hazards | Flooding in the northeast |
| Biodiversity | 1,435 bird species, 259 amphibians, 407 fish species, 382 mammals, 315 reptile species, 14,729 vascular plant species |
| Biomes | Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, grasslands, savannas, shrublands, montane grasslands and shrublands |
| Ecoregions | Madeira-Tapajós moist forests, Southern Andean Yungas, Southwest Amazon moist forests, Bolivian montane dry forests, Chiquitano dry forests |
The Andes Mountains
The Andes define Bolivia's three geographic zones: the mountains and Altiplano in the west, the semitropical Yungas and temperate valleys of the eastern mountain slopes, and the tropical lowlands or plains (llanos) of the eastern lowlands, or Oriente. The Altiplano, a high plateau between the Cordillera Occidental in the west and the Cordillera Oriental in the east, is the location of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.
The Altiplano comprises four major basins formed by mountainous spurs that jut eastward from the Cordillera Occidental towards the Cordillera Oriental. The entire Altiplano was originally a deep rift between the cordilleras that gradually filled with highly porous sedimentary debris washed down from the peaks. This process also explains the gradual slope of the Altiplano from north to south, as greater rainfall in the north has resulted in a larger quantity of debris being washed onto the platform floor.
The eastern slopes of the Cordillera Central descend gradually in a series of complex north-south ranges and hills. Rivers that drain to the east have cut long, narrow valleys, and the basins between the ranges are favourable areas for crops and settlement. The valley floors range from 2,000 to 3,000 metres above sea level, with milder temperatures than the Altiplano. The cities of Sucre and Cochabamba are located in basins in this region.
The eastern lowlands, comprising over two-thirds of Bolivia's territory, are sparsely populated and include all of the country north and east of the Andes. Differences in topography and climate separate the lowlands into three areas: the flat, tropical rainforest north, the drier, gently rolling hills of the central area, and the virtually rainless southeast, which becomes flooded during the three months of heavy rains.
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The Altiplano
The most prominent feature of the Altiplano is the large lake at its northern end, Lake Titicaca, which is shared with Peru. At 3,810-3,811 metres above sea level, it is the highest navigable lake in the world. With a surface area of 9,064 square kilometres, it is larger than Puerto Rico and is the second-largest lake in South America. Lake Titicaca is also deep, with a maximum depth of about 370 metres and an average depth of 215 metres. The lake maintains a constant temperature of 10°C, moderating the climate for a considerable distance around it and enabling the cultivation of maize and wheat in sheltered areas.
Lake Titicaca drains southward through the Desaguadero River into Lake Poopó, also located in the Altiplano region. In contrast to the freshwater Lake Titicaca, Lake Poopó is salty and shallow, with depths rarely exceeding four metres. Lake Poopó's size varies significantly as it depends entirely on seasonal rainfall and overflow from Lake Titicaca.
Rainfall in the Altiplano decreases towards the south, and the scrub vegetation becomes more sparse. Eventually, the landscape gives way to barren rocks and dry red clay. The Altiplano contains several salt flats, the largest of which is the Uyuni Saltpan, covering over 9,000 square kilometres. In the dry season, heavy trucks can traverse the lake bed.
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The Yungas
The climate and geography of the Yungas stand in stark contrast to the arid highlands of the west and the tropical lowlands of the east. The region experiences high levels of rainfall, which supports the lush vegetation and contributes to the region's fertile land. The heavy precipitation also leads to rivers and cascading waterways that flow through the region.
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The Amazon Rainforest
Bolivia is home to a section of the Amazon Rainforest, one of the country's largest and most mesmerizing regions. The rainforest is brimming with wildlife, and spending a few days exploring the sweaty jungle is an unforgettable experience. The richness of the indigenous cultures, traditions, and languages that exist throughout the region is also notable.
Rurrenabaque, a small jungle town, serves as the primary gateway for tours of the Amazon. It offers a range of accommodation and dining options to suit different budgets. From here, several tours are available, including the Pampas Tour and the Jungle Trek. The Pampas Tour takes place in the wetlands of the Amazon and offers opportunities to see a variety of animals, including dolphins, alligators, and spider monkeys. The Jungle Trek is a more traditional rainforest excursion that focuses on exploring the interior of the Amazon and learning about the different plants and trees.
The dry season in Bolivia, from October to May, is generally considered the best time to visit the Amazon. However, the months immediately before and after the dry season can also be suitable, as long as you are prepared for rain.
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The Llanos
The central area of the Llanos, comprising the northern half of the Santa Cruz department, has gently rolling hills and a drier climate. Forests alternate with savanna, and much of the land has been cleared for cultivation. Santa Cruz, the largest city in the lowlands, is located here, along with most of Bolivia's petroleum and natural gas reserves.
The southeastern part of the Llanos is a continuation of the Paraguayan Chaco. This area experiences a long dry season with virtually no rain for nine months of the year. During the rainy season, the region becomes flooded, and the extreme variation in rainfall supports only thorny scrub vegetation and cattle grazing. However, recent discoveries of natural gas and petroleum near the foothills of the Andes have attracted some settlers to the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America, bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The landscape is dominated by the Andes mountains, which bisect the country from north to south. The country can be divided into three zones: the mountains and Altiplano in the west, the semitropical valleys in the centre, and the tropical lowlands or Oriente in the east.
The Altiplano is a high plateau located between the two Andean mountain ranges, the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Oriental. It is approximately 800-900km long and 120-200km wide, and is characterised by salt flats, volcanoes, rivers, and lakes. The Altiplano is home to Lake Titicaca, the second-largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world.
The climate in Bolivia varies across the country. The Andean region and arid highlands in the west have a cold and dry climate, with average temperatures ranging from 5-15°C. The sub-Andean and semi-tropical valleys in the middle of the country have a mild climate, with temperatures ranging from 15-25°C. The tropical lowlands in the east have a hot and humid climate, with average temperatures ranging from 25-30°C.
The Andes mountains significantly influence Bolivia's geography, climate, and biodiversity. Most of the country's major urban centres, including La Paz, are located in the Andean highlands, making it an important economic and political hub. The mountains also contribute to the country's diverse landscapes, including salt flats, lagoons, and rainforests.
Bolivia is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Uyuni Salt Flats, the Amazon Rainforest, Lake Titicaca, and the Sajama National Park, which is home to the world's highest forest. Other notable landmarks include the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), the Valle de las Ánimas (Valley of Souls), and the Siloli Desert.
