Bolivia's Location: Exploring The Country's Place In The World

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, with an area of 1,098,581 square kilometres. 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 known for its dizzying elevation and rugged terrain, leading to its nickname, the Tibet of South America. The country is also characterised by its remarkable biodiversity, with a wide variety of ecoregions, climates, and biomes. Bolivia has a rich history, having once been the centre of the ancient Tiwanaku empire and later a part of the Inca empire. Today, Bolivia is a unitary multiparty republic with a population of approximately 12 million people, two-thirds of whom are indigenous.

Bolivia's location in South America

Bolivia is a landlocked country located 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 northwest. Bolivia is also very near the coastline of southwestern South America, with the sole exception being the point at which Lake Titicaca crosses Bolivia's western border.

Bolivia has a varied landscape, from the rugged Andes Mountains in the west to the Amazon Basin lowlands in the east. The Andes are formed by three mountain ranges: the Cordillera Occidental, the Cordillera Central, and the Cordillera Oriental. Between these ranges lies the Altiplano, a high plateau that is home to several salt flats, including the Uyuni Saltpan, the largest in the world. The eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental descend into rolling hills and valleys formed by numerous rivers. The southeast of the country is covered by semi-arid plains that become swampy during heavy rains.

Bolivia is divided into nine departments: Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, and Tarija. The country's constitutional capital is Sucre, while the administrative capital is La Paz. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, located in the tropical lowlands, is the largest and most populous city in Bolivia and serves as the country's chief commercial, industrial, and economic centre.

Bolivia's geography and climate

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 west, and Peru to the northwest. Bolivia is split into three topographical and climatological regions: the Andean area and arid highlands of the west; the sub-Andean and semi-tropical valleys in the middle third of the country; and the tropical lowlands of the east.

The Andean Area and Arid Highlands of the West

Bolivia's mountainous western region, which is one of the highest inhabited areas in the world, constitutes an important economic and political centre. The Andes reach their greatest breadth and complexity in Bolivia, which is dominated by two great parallel ranges: the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Oriental. The Altiplano ("High Plateau") is a highland plateau between these ranges, extending from southern Peru through Bolivia to northern Argentina. The Altiplano is about 500 miles (800 km) long and 80 miles (130 km) wide, with an altitude of 12,000 to 14,000 feet (3,660 to 4,270 meters). The Altiplano is relatively flat, with its evenness broken by occasional hills and ridges, and is one of the world's highest inhabited regions. The Altiplano includes Lake Titicaca, which is the highest navigable lake in the world and is shared with Peru. The lake has a constant temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) and moderates the climate for a considerable distance around it, making crops of maize and wheat possible in sheltered areas. The climate in the Altiplano varies from cool and humid to semi-arid, with strong and cold winds. The average temperature ranges from 15 to 27°C (60 to 80ºF), with the coldest temperatures occurring in the southwestern portion during June and July. The rainy season is from December to March, with annual rainfall ranging from 200 mm (8″) to more than 800 mm (31″). The land contains several salt flats, the largest of which is the Uyuni Saltpan, which is also the world's largest salt concentration.

The Sub-Andean and Semi-Tropical Valleys in the Middle Third of the Country

The regions of temperate and semi-tropical valleys lie east and northeast of the Altiplano and vary in altitude from 1,600 feet to 9,000 feet (490 meters to 2,740 meters) above sea level. They are major agricultural producers of corn, barley, coffee, cacao, coca, citrus, and sugarcane. The climate in these valleys is temperate, with humid northeastern winds pushed to the mountains, making this region very humid and rainy. Temperatures are cooler at higher elevations, with snow occurring at altitudes of 2,000 meters. The valleys include the Yungas, a rugged and heavily forested belt of terrain northeast of La Paz, which is known for its fertile land.

The Tropical Lowlands of the East

The eastern lowlands, or the Oriente region, is an extension of the Amazon River basin that covers more than two-thirds of Bolivia. The vast area of the Oriente is composed of low alluvial plains (llanos), great swamps, flooded bottomlands, open savannas, and tropical forests. The climate in the lowlands is humid and tropical, with an average temperature of 30 °C (86 °F). The wind coming from the Amazon rainforest causes significant rainfall, with a short but noticeable dry season typically starting in May. The lowlands include the Chiquitanía and the Selva, which have a similar climate to the Llanos. The Llanos region experiences a wet season from late September to May, with an annual rainfall average between 1000 and 4000 mm (40 – 150″). The heavy rainfall is caused by winds blowing in from the Amazon rainforest.

The people of Bolivia

Bolivia is a country in western-central South America, officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia. It is a landlocked country, bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. With a total area of 1,098,581 square kilometers (424,164 sq mi), Bolivia is the fifth-largest country in South America. The country has a variety of landscapes, including the Andes Mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and the Chilean desert.

Now, let's focus on the people of Bolivia:

The largest and most widely recognized indigenous groups in Bolivia include the Quechua, Aymara, Guarani, Chiquitano, and Mojeño. Each group has its own distinct language, culture, and traditions, which play a vital role in shaping the country's unique cultural identity. The Quechua and Aymara peoples are particularly prominent in the Andean regions, known for their traditional agricultural practices and vibrant textile arts. The Guarani, on the other hand, are more prevalent in the lowlands, and are known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle and expertise in hunting and gathering.

The Bolivian people are known for their strong sense of community and family values. Extended families often live together, and it is common for several generations to be involved in daily decision-making and activities. Community gatherings and celebrations are frequent, and Bolivians are known for their warm hospitality. The country's diverse cultural heritage is also reflected in its vibrant festivals, music, and dance, which vary across regions and incorporate indigenous and European influences.

Education and healthcare access vary across the country. While urban centers have better infrastructure and resources, rural and indigenous communities often face challenges in these sectors. The Bolivian government has implemented policies to improve access to education and healthcare for all citizens, including providing free primary education and expanding healthcare coverage. However, poverty remains a significant issue, and income inequality persists, particularly between urban and rural areas.

The history of Bolivia

Pre-Columbian Period

The Tiwanaku people reached an advanced level of civilisation before being conquered by a rapidly expanding Inca Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Aymara people arrived in the region around 2000 years ago, eventually settling in Western Bolivia, Southern Peru, and Northern Chile.

Spanish Conquest

In the early 16th century, the Inca themselves were conquered by the Spanish, led by Francisco Pizarro. The region that now makes up Bolivia fell under the Viceroyalty of Peru and was known as Upper Peru.

Independence

In the early 19th century, Upper Peru joined the Spanish-American wars of independence. The Bolivian Republic was established in 1825, named after Simon Bolivar, and with Simon Bolivar as its first president.

19th Century

Over the course of the 19th century, Bolivia fell into wars against its neighbours, culminating in a devastating loss in the War of the Pacific. Bolivia lost its access to the sea, along with rich nitrate fields. Bolivia also lost territory to Paraguay in the Chaco War of the 1930s.

20th Century

The Bolivian National Revolution broke out in the 1950s, attempting a program of nationalisation 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.

21st Century

Bolivian politics in the 21st century has been dominated by Evo Morales, until he resigned in 2019. In 2020, Luis Arce was elected as president.

Bolivia's economy and natural resources

Bolivia's economy is the 95th-largest in the world in nominal terms and the 87th-largest in purchasing power parity. The country is classified by the World Bank as a lower-middle-income country. Bolivia's economy has historically been driven by its natural resources, including cocoa, silver, and tin. Today, the country's economy is largely driven by natural gas, mining, and agriculture.

Natural Gas

Bolivia has the second-largest natural gas reserves in South America. The natural gas sector grew significantly in the 1990s after the government privatized the industry. Natural gas exports bring in millions of dollars per day in royalties, rents, and taxes. From 2007 to 2017, the "government take" on gas totaled approximately $22 billion.

Mining

Mining is a major sector of Bolivia's economy, with most of the country's exports being dependent on it. Bolivia has the world's largest lithium reserves, the second-largest antimony reserves, the third-largest iron ore reserves, the sixth-largest tin reserves, the ninth-largest lead, silver, and copper reserves, and the tenth-largest zinc reserves. The country also has undisclosed but productive reserves of gold and tungsten.

Agriculture

Agriculture, including livestock, is another important sector of Bolivia's economy. Bolivia's arable land was roughly 4.13% in 2014, with the highest amount of arable land in 2009, constituting about 4.15% of the country's total area. The country's essential crops include coffee, soybeans, and sugar, many of which are sold to other nations such as Brazil and Peru. Bolivia's livestock industry is also well-developed, with farmers keeping cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep.

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