Bolivia's Unique Geography: A Country Of Many Sides

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America, bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The country is divided into three distinct geographic zones: the high plateau (Altiplano), the semitropical valleys of the eastern mountain slopes (Yungas), and the tropical lowlands (Llanos) of the Amazon River Basin. The Altiplano is a highland plateau located between two mountain ranges, the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Oriental, which are part of the Andean Mountains. The Altiplano is home to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, shared with Peru. Bolivia's highest peak, Nevado Sajama, rises to 21,463 feet (6,542 meters) in the Cordillera Occidental. The Yungas region, known for its steep slopes and lush vegetation, is located northeast of La Paz. The Llanos cover more than two-thirds of Bolivia and are largely sparsely populated, with potential for agriculture and livestock.

Bolivia's three geographic zones

Bolivia is traditionally regarded as a highland country, with its geography defined by three distinct zones. These are the high plateau (Altiplano), the semitropical valleys and temperate valleys of the eastern mountain slopes (Yungas), and the tropical lowlands (Llanos) of the Amazon River Basin.

The Altiplano is a high plateau between two cordilleras (mountain ranges) that runs through the Andes from southern Peru to northern Argentina. It is 805km long and 130km wide, with altitudes ranging from 3,660 to 4,270 meters. The Altiplano is one of the world's highest inhabited regions, and its most prominent feature is Lake Titicaca, which is located on the northern end of the plateau. The lake is shared with Peru and is the highest navigable body of water in the world. The area surrounding the lake is the most agriculturally productive and populated part of the Altiplano. The inhabitants of the Altiplano are mainly Aymara and Quechua Indians, who have a subsistence agricultural and grazing economy. The Altiplano is also rich in mineral deposits, which form the backbone of Bolivia's economy.

The second geographic zone is the semitropical and temperate valleys of the eastern mountain slopes, known as the Yungas. This region is characterised by steep, almost inaccessible slopes and peaks, with lush vegetation clinging to the sides of narrow river valleys. The Yungas offer some of the most spectacular scenery in Bolivia, and the land is extremely fertile. However, poor transportation has hindered its agricultural development. The major cities of Cochabamba, Sucre, and Tarija are situated in the valleys southeast of La Paz.

The third geographic zone is the tropical lowlands or plains (Llanos) of the Amazon River Basin, which cover more than two-thirds of Bolivia. This region is sparsely populated and includes major tributaries of the Amazon, such as the Mamoré, Beni, Ichilo, Iténes, and Madre de Díos Rivers. The Llanos are excellent for agriculture and livestock raising, and the city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia's second-largest and fastest-growing city, is located here.

The Andes Mountain Range

Bolivia is bisected from north to south by the Eastern Andes Mountain Range (also known as the Cordillera Oriental). The Andean region covers the western 28% of the country and includes parts of La Paz, Potosí, Oruro, Chuquisaca, and Cochabamba. The Andean region is mostly located at about 3,800m (12,400 ft) in elevation, and is home to around 40% of the Bolivian population.

The primary mountain range within Bolivia is the Andes, which runs along the country's western border. The range dominates the western third of the country and is the source of the foothills. The Andes were formed mostly as a result of the subduction of the Nazca Plate under the South American Plate, leading to mountain building through orogenies, including the Andean orogeny.

The Bolivian Andes include the Cordillera Real, the Cordillera Occidental, and the Cordillera Central. The Cordillera Real is the most prominent range in Bolivia, considered the "backbone" of the Andean lands. It forms a northwest to southeast line between all the other Bolivian ranges, with a geographical gradient of over 5,000m (16,400 ft) extending from high snow-covered mountains to the riverbeds in the deep, humid Cloud Forest. The Cordillera Real includes the Illampu-Jankouma massif, the largest in the Cordillera Real, and Illimani, the highest peak, which is revered as the "protector" of La Paz.

The Cordillera Occidental is a chain of dormant volcanoes and solfataras (volcanic vents emitting sulfurous gases) in western Bolivia. The entire range is of volcanic origin and is an extension of the volcanic region found in southern Peru. Bolivia's highest peak, the snow-capped Nevado Sajama (6,542m/21,463 ft), is located here.

The Cordillera Central, also known as the Cordillera Oriental, enters Bolivia on the north side of Lake Titicaca and extends southeastward to approximately 17 degrees south latitude. The northernmost part of the Cordillera Oriental, the Cordillera Real, is an impressive snow-capped series of granite mountains, with some peaks exceeding 6,000m (19,685 ft). South of 17 degrees south latitude, the range changes character, becoming a large block of the Earth's crust that has been lifted and tilted eastward. The western edge of this block rises in a series of cliffs from the Altiplano.

The Andean Mountain Range is shared by seven countries in total: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The range is over 5,000km (3,105 mi) long, making it the second-longest mountain range in the world after the Himalayas, and it is still growing.

The Altiplano

The inhabitants of the Altiplano, mainly Aymara and Quechua Indians, have a subsistence agricultural and grazing economy. Their livestock includes sheep, cows, goats, alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas. The Altiplano is also rich in mineral deposits, which form the backbone of Bolivia's economy. Major economic activities in the region include mining, llama and vicuña herding, and services in its cities.

The Yungas

The northeastern flank of the Cordillera Real, the Yungas is derived from the Aymara and Quechua word "yunka", meaning "warm valley". The steep, almost inaccessible slopes and peaks of this mainly semitropical valley area northeast of La Paz offer some of the most spectacular scenery in Bolivia. The land is among the most fertile in Bolivia, but poor transport has hindered its agricultural development.

The Eastern lowlands

The central area of the Eastern lowlands, which includes the northern half of Santa Cruz Department, has a drier climate than the north. Here, forests alternate with savanna, and much of the land has been cleared for cultivation. Santa Cruz, the largest city in the lowlands and the second-largest and fastest-growing city in Bolivia, is located in this central area. The city is a hub for the petroleum and natural gas industries, with most of Bolivia's reserves located nearby.

The southeastern part of the Eastern lowlands is a continuation of the Chaco of Paraguay, also known as the Gran Chaco. This area experiences a long dry season, remaining virtually rainless for nine months of the year. However, during the rainy season, the region becomes flooded. The extreme variation in rainfall limits vegetation to thorny scrub, but recent discoveries of natural gas and petroleum near the foothills of the Andes have attracted some settlers to the region.

Frequently asked questions