Bolivia's Location: Exploring The Heart Of South America

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 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. The country has a varied geography, from the snow-capped peaks of the Andes in the west to the eastern lowlands situated within the Amazon basin. Bolivia has a rich history, having once been part of the ancient Tiwanaku (Tiahuanaco) empire and the Incan empire. The country's name is derived from Venezuelan leader Simón Bolívar, who led the rebellion against Spanish rule in the 19th century.

Where is Bolivia?

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, and Chile and Peru to the west. Bolivia is the fifth-largest country in South America, covering an area of 1,098,581 square kilometres (424,164 square miles). It is the 27th largest country in the world and the largest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere.

The geography of Bolivia is varied, with the Andean mountain range covering about one-third of the country. The country has a diverse climate, ranging from humid and tropical to semiarid and cold. The population of Bolivia is estimated to be around 12 million, with indigenous people making up about two-thirds of the population. The capital city of Bolivia is Sucre, while the seat of government is La Paz. Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the largest city and the principal industrial centre.

Bolivia has a rich history, dating back to ancient civilisations such as the Tiwanaku Empire and the Incan Empire. The region was colonised by the Spanish in the 16th century and gained independence in 1825, naming the country after Venezuelan leader Simón Bolívar. Since then, Bolivia has experienced a series of political upheavals, including nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Today, Bolivia is a democratic republic with a multiethnic population and a diverse culture and economy.

What is the geography of Bolivia like?

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 northwest. With an area of 1,098,581 square kilometres, the country is about the size of Texas and California combined, or twice the size of Spain. Bolivia has three well-defined geographic zones: the high plateau (Altiplano), the valleys of the eastern mountain slopes (Yungas), and the tropical lowlands (Llanos) of the Amazon River Basin.

The Altiplano is a highland plateau that lies between two great mountain ranges, or cordilleras, of the Andes: the Cordillera Occidental to the west, and the Cordillera Oriental to the east. The Altiplano is about 800 kilometres long and 130 kilometres wide, with altitudes ranging from 3,660 to 4,270 metres. It is one of the world's highest inhabited regions, and is home to almost half of Bolivia's population. The Altiplano's most prominent feature is the large Lake Titicaca at its northern end, which 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 South America's second-largest lake. The lake drains southward through the Desaguadero River into Lake Poopó, which is salty and shallow, with depths seldom more than four metres. The Altiplano also contains several salt flats, the largest of which is the Uyuni Saltpan, which covers over 9,000 square kilometres.

The Cordillera Occidental is a chain of dormant volcanoes and volcanic vents emitting sulfurous gases. It contains Bolivia's highest peak, the snow-capped Nevado Sajama, which rises to 6,542 metres. The northern part of this range has an elevation of about 4,000 metres, while the southern part is somewhat lower. The landscape in the north is covered with scrub vegetation, while the south receives almost no precipitation and consists mostly of barren rocks.

The Cordillera Oriental is a broad and towering system of mountains stretching from Peru to Argentina. The northernmost part of this range, the Cordillera Real, is a series of impressive snow-capped granite mountains, some of which exceed 6,000 metres. Two of these peaks, Illimani and Illampu, have large glaciers on their upper slopes. 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. This area is too high to be exploited for large-scale commercial grazing, and is named after the predominant vegetation type, the puna.

The valleys of the eastern mountain slopes, or Yungas, are semitropical and temperate. They lie east and northeast of the Altiplano and vary in altitude from 490 to 2,740 metres above sea level. These valleys are major agricultural producers of corn, barley, coffee, cacao, coca, citrus, and sugarcane. The cities of Cochabamba, Sucre, and Tarija are situated in these valleys. The northeastern flank of the Cordillera Real, known as the Yungas, offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Bolivia, with lush vegetation clinging to the sides of narrow river valleys. However, poor transportation has hindered agricultural development in the region.

The tropical lowlands, or Llanos, cover more than two-thirds of Bolivia. They are composed of the lowland plains of the Amazon Basin, which include vast areas of rainforest, savanna, and wetlands. The Llanos are home to most of Bolivia's petroleum and natural gas reserves, as well as the country's second-largest city, Santa Cruz. The region is sparsely populated, but has excellent potential for agriculture and livestock raising.

What are Bolivia's neighbouring countries?

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 shares Lake Titicaca, the second-largest lake in South America, with Peru.

Bolivia has historically maintained a maritime claim to the coast of Chile, which it lost in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884). However, agreements with neighbouring countries have granted Bolivia indirect access to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

What are the administrative divisions of Bolivia?

Bolivia is a unitary state in South America, formally known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia. It is divided into nine departments (departamentos in Spanish), which are the primary subdivisions of Bolivia and possess certain rights under the Constitution of Bolivia. Each department elects four senators to represent them in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

The nine departments are:

• Santa Cruz: The largest department, encompassing 370,621 square kilometres (143,098 sq mi). As of 2020, it is the most populous department, having surpassed La Paz.
• La Paz: Originally the most populous department with 2,706,351 inhabitants as of 2012.
• 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).
• Cochabamba
• El Beni
• Oruro
• Potos
• Chuquisaca

The departments are further divided into 112 provinces (provincias in Spanish). Some provinces consist of only one municipality. The provinces are then subdivided into secciones de provincias (sections or subprovinces), which are further divided into 1,374 cantons (cantones in Spanish).

The third level of administrative division is the municipality (municipios in Spanish), of which there are 339 or 340. Municipalities are governed by local elections and led by a mayor. They are the administrative divisions of the entire national territory.

What are the two capital cities of Bolivia?

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It has two capital cities: Sucre and La Paz.

Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and the seat of the judiciary. It is a historic city and was made the capital in 1825, largely due to its proximity to the silver mines in the nearby mountains. The Supreme Court of Bolivia is located in Sucre.

La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, where the executive and legislative branches of government function. It is the de facto capital and is the location of the central bank, government ministries, and foreign embassies. La Paz is also the largest city in Bolivia and has a stronger business growth and economic performance than Sucre.

The debate over which city should be considered the primary capital has caused protests in the past, and it remains a sensitive issue for Bolivians.

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