Bolivia And Mexico: A Geospatial Comparison

Bolivia and Mexico are two countries in South America with a history of diplomatic relations that date back to 1831. Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America, 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. Mexico, on the other hand, is located in southern North America, bordering the United States to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the south and west, Guatemala to the southeast, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Gulf of Mexico to the northeast. Both countries were part of the Spanish Empire until the early 19th century and have since established themselves as independent nations with unique cultures and histories.

Bolivia and Mexico's diplomatic relations

Bolivia and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1831. Both nations are members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Latin American Integration Association, the Organization of American States, the Organization of Ibero-American States, and the United Nations.

In 1994, Bolivia and Mexico signed a free trade agreement, which was cancelled by Bolivia in 2010. Despite this, the two countries have signed several bilateral agreements, including a Treaty for the Execution of Criminal Sentences (1985), an Agreement on Technical and Scientific Cooperation (1990), and an Agreement of Cooperation to Combat Drug Trafficking and Drug Dependency (1990).

In 2019, diplomatic relations between the two countries became strained following the Bolivian general election. The Mexican government congratulated President Evo Morales on his reelection victory, but after the Organization of American States found clear manipulation in the election, Morales was forced to resign. Morales was granted asylum in Mexico, along with several members of his administration, including former ministers Juan Ramón Quintana and Javier Zavaleta. In response, the Bolivian government expelled Mexican Ambassador María Teresa Mercado, accusing Mexico of interfering in its internal affairs and violating international treaties. Mexico denied these claims and took the dispute to the International Court of Justice, accusing Bolivia of harassing and intimidating its diplomatic staff.

Following the electoral victory of Luis Arce in the 2020 Bolivian general election, relations between the two countries improved. President Arce visited Mexico in March 2021, and Mexico eliminated visa requirements for ordinary Bolivian passport holders.

The countries' shared history

Bolivia and Mexico share a rich history that dates back to the pre-Columbian era. Both countries were host to great indigenous cultures; the Aztecs and Mayas in Mexico and the Incas and Aymaras in Bolivia.

The Tiwanaku people in Bolivia and the Aztecs in Mexico, for instance, reached an advanced level of civilization before being conquered by the rapidly expanding Inca and Spanish empires, respectively. The Inca themselves were soon conquered by the Spanish led by Francisco Pizarro in the early 16th century.

Both countries were part of the Spanish Empire until the early 19th century. Mexico was part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, while Bolivia was initially part of the Viceroyalty of Peru before becoming part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata in 1776.

Bolivia and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1831, and both nations have since been members of several international organisations, including the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Latin American Integration Association, Organization of American States, and the United Nations.

In the 20th century, the two countries experienced political upheaval, with Bolivia ruled by a military junta from 1964 to 1982 and Mexico undergoing a revolution from 1910 to 1920. During the period of the Bolivian junta, diplomatic relations between the two countries became strained, and the Mexican embassy in La Paz provided asylum to 260 Bolivian citizens, including Dr. Antonio Arguedas Mendieta, a former Minister of the Interior.

In more recent times, the two countries have continued to foster their relationship through high-level visits and bilateral agreements. In 1990, President Carlos Salinas de Gortari became the first Mexican head-of-state to pay an official visit to Bolivia, and in 1994, the two countries signed a free trade agreement.

However, this agreement was later cancelled by Bolivian President Evo Morales in 2010. Despite this, relations between the two countries have remained largely cordial, and Mexico has expressed its intention to remove visa requirements for Bolivian citizens for touristic purposes.

Bolivia's location

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is the fifth-largest country in South America, with an area of 1,098,581 sq km. 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 been landlocked since it lost its Pacific coast to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884).

Bolivia's geography is incredibly diverse, with Amazonian plains and lowlands, mountains, valleys, and part of the Andes of South America. The Andes Mountains span a third of the country, with the Altiplano (high plateau) between two cordillera (chains of mountains) in the Andean region. The Cordillera Occidental contains numerous active volcanoes and the Uyuni Salt Flat, while the Cordillera Oriental features the Cordillera Real, a spectacular range of snow-capped peaks. Between these ranges is the Altiplano, a relatively flat depression lying at elevations of 3,650-3,800m. To the north of the Cordillera Real is the Apolobamba range, with lakes and protected areas where vicuñas, alpacas, and llamas thrive.

The Sub-Andean region in the centre and south of Bolivia is an intermediate area between the Altiplano and the eastern lowlands. It is distinguished by its farming activities and temperate climate.

The Llanos region in the northeast covers 59% of the country's territory. It is a flat area of small plateaus and extensive rainforests, with incredible biodiversity. The region is below 400m above sea level.

Bolivia's climate varies significantly across its different ecoregions, from tropical in the eastern lowlands to polar in the western Andes. The summers are generally warm and humid, with rains that can modify temperatures and winds. Winters are cold in the west, with snowfall in the mountain ranges.

Mexico's location

Mexico is located in North America, south of the United States. Bolivia, on the other hand, is a landlocked country in central South America. Mexico is therefore north-west of Bolivia, and the two countries are separated by a considerable distance.

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. It is a landlocked country, meaning that it does not border any oceans. The Andes mountain range runs through Bolivia, and the country is home to a section of the Amazon rainforest. The constitutional capital of Bolivia is Sucre, while the seat of government is La Paz.

Mexico, on the other hand, borders the United States to the north, and Belize and Guatemala to the south-east. Mexico has coastlines along the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Gulf of Mexico to the east. Mexico City is the country's capital and also its largest city.

In summary, Bolivia and Mexico are two countries in the Americas with distinct geographical locations, cultural histories, and political systems. Mexico is located in North America and borders the United States, Belize, and Guatemala, while Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America with Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru as its neighbours.

Bolivia's neighbours

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 is the fifth-largest country in South America and the 27th largest in the world. It has a land area of 1,098,581 square kilometres (424,164 sq mi). To the west of the country lie the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, with one-third of the country falling within the Andean mountain range. To the east are the Amazonian lowlands, with Bolivia having the largest geographic extension of Amazonian plains and lowlands in the world. Bolivia is part of the largest swamp in the world, which it shares with Brazil.

• Brazil: To the north and east of Bolivia lies Brazil, the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest in the world. Brazil has a population of over 200 million people and is a federation made up of 26 states and a federal district. Its landscape is vast and diverse, ranging from the Amazon basin in the north to hills, mountains, and a long Atlantic coastline in the east and south.
• Paraguay: To the southeast of Bolivia is Paraguay, one of only two landlocked countries in South America, the other being Bolivia itself. Paraguay is bordered by Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia and has a population of around 7 million people. Its landscape is characterised by tropical rainforest in the east, with semi-arid lowlands and low hills in the western region.
• Argentina: Bolivia's southern neighbour is Argentina, the second-largest country in South America after Brazil. Argentina has a population of around 45 million people and is a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires, which is the nation's capital and largest city. The country has a diverse geography, with the Andes in the west, plains and flatlands in the east, and a long coastline along the Southern Atlantic Ocean.
• Chile: Chile borders Bolivia to the southwest and took control of Bolivia's Pacific coastal region during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884). Chile is a long, narrow country along South America's western edge, with a population of around 19 million people. Its landscape is diverse, with the Atacama Desert in the north, the southern tip of Patagonia, and the Andes mountains, which run down the country's eastern border.
• Peru: To the west of Bolivia is Peru, which shares control of Lake Titicaca with Bolivia. Peru has a population of over 30 million people and is a multiethnic nation formed by successive waves of different peoples coming from the Andes and the coast. Its landscape is varied, with the Andes mountains running through the country, coastal plains to the west, and rainforest to the east.

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