Bolivia's Location: Where In The World?

Bolivia, officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west and northwest. Bolivia is the 5th largest country in South America and the largest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere. The country is divided into nine departments and has two capital cities: Sucre, the constitutional capital, and La Paz, the administrative capital.

Bolivia's location in South America

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest and Peru to the west or northwest. Bolivia is the fifth-largest country in South America and the largest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere.

Bolivia's geography is quite variable, with the high peaks of the Andes in the west and lowland in the east. The country can be divided into three physiographic regions: the Andean region, the Sub-Andean region, and the Llanos region. The Andean region spans 28% of the national territory and is located above 3,000m in altitude. The Sub-Andean region is an intermediate area between the Altiplano and the eastern lowlands, distinguished by its farming activities and temperate climate. The Llanos region comprises 59% of the territory and is located north of the Cordillera Central, extending from the Andean foothills to the Paraguay River.

Bolivia has a rich history. Before Spanish colonisation, the Andean region was part of the Incan Empire, while the northern and eastern lowlands were inhabited by independent tribes. After the arrival of the conquistadores, Bolivia was subsumed within the Viceroyalty of Peru. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Bolivia lost control of several territories to neighbouring countries, including Brazil and Chile.

Bolivia has a diverse ethnic population, including Amerindians, Mestizos, Europeans, Asians, and Africans. Spanish is the official and predominant language, although 36 indigenous languages also have official status, including Aymara and Quechua. The country's population is estimated at 12 million.

The country's economy is based on agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining. Bolivia is very geologically rich, with mines producing tin, silver, lithium, and copper. The country is also known for its production of coca plants and refined cocaine. Bolivia is a developing country and the second-poorest in South America, but it has recently experienced significant economic growth and now has one of the fastest-growing economies on the continent.

Neighbouring countries

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest and Peru to the northwest.

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest in the world. It shares a border with every South American country except Chile. Brazil is a federal republic with 26 states and a federal district. The country has a strong economy with diverse industries, including agriculture, mining and manufacturing.

Paraguay is a small landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. Paraguay has a tropical to subtropical climate and is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including wetlands, grasslands and rainforests. The country has a developing economy focused on agriculture, particularly soybean production, and hydroelectric energy.

Argentina is a large country in South America, sharing borders with Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. It is a federal republic with 23 provinces and one federal district. Argentina has a diverse geography, from the Andes mountains in the west to the Atlantic coast in the east. The country has a strong economy with key industries in agriculture, livestock and industry.

Chile is a long, narrow country in South America, sharing borders with Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and a maritime border with Peru. It is a republic with 16 regions. Chile has a diverse landscape, from the arid Atacama Desert in the north to the glaciers of Patagonia in the south. The country has a strong economy with key industries in mining, forestry, fishing and agriculture.

Peru is a country in western South America, sharing borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile. It is a republic with 24 departments and a constitutional province. Peru has a varied geography, from the Pacific coast in the west to the Amazon rainforest in the east. The country has a developing economy with key industries in mining, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism.

Capital cities

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 or northwest. Bolivia has a rich history, having once been the centre of the ancient Tiwanaku (or Tiahuanaco) empire and later a part of the Inca empire.

The country has two capital cities: Sucre and La Paz. Sucre is the constitutional and judicial capital of Bolivia, while La Paz is the seat of government and administrative capital. La Paz is also the country's largest city by population.

Sucre

Sucre is located in the south-central part of the nation, at an elevation of 9,214 ft (2,808 m). It is the historic capital of Bolivia and is named after the revolutionary leader Antonio José de Sucre. The Supreme Court of Bolivia is located in Sucre, making it the judicial capital of the country.

La Paz

La Paz is located in the west-central part of the nation, in the southeast of Lake Titicaca, at an elevation of 11,975 ft (3,649 m). It is the executive and legislative (administrative) capital of Bolivia and is the country's third-most populous city. La Paz is the highest capital city in the world and has an unusual subtropical highland climate, with rainy summers and dry winters.

Geography and climate

Bolivia is a landlocked country in 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. It is the 27th largest country in the world, the largest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere, and the fifth largest country in South America.

The geography of Bolivia is largely split into the Andean Altiplano and the Eastern lowlands, with the Andean mountain range running through one-third of the country. The Altiplano, or high plateau, is a highland plateau that runs through the middle of the country and is bordered by two Andean mountain chains, the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Central. The Altiplano is mostly treeless, with sparse vegetation and tough grasses, and has a cold and windy climate. It is home to the world's largest salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni, as well as several volcanoes and lakes, including Lake Titicaca, which is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world and is shared with Peru.

To the east of the Altiplano lies the Sub-Andean region, an intermediate region of rolling hills, valleys, and basins with a temperate climate. This region is known for its farming activities and is home to major cities such as Cochabamba, Sucre, and Tarija.

The Eastern lowlands, or Llanos, comprise the northeastern part of the country and are mostly flat, with small plateaus and extensive rainforests. This region has a humid tropical climate and is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including over 30 monkey species, giant armadillos, and pink freshwater dolphins. The Llanos include the Amazon basin in the north and the Parana basin in the southeast.

The climate of Bolivia varies significantly across these regions, with altitude being a major factor in temperature differences. The wet season runs from November to March, bringing heavy rains and the potential for landslides in mountainous areas. The dry season, from May to October, offers milder temperatures and better travel conditions. The summers are generally warm and humid in the east, while the winters are very cold in the west, with frequent snowfall in the mountain ranges.

History

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. The country has a rich history spanning thousands of years, from the ancient Tiwanaku (Tiahuanaco) empire to Spanish colonial rule and, eventually, independence.

Pre-Columbian Period

Lake Titicaca was an important centre of culture and development for thousands of years. The Tiwanaku people reached an advanced level of civilisation before being conquered by the rapidly expanding Inca Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Aymara people arrived in the region around 2,000 years ago, eventually settling in western Bolivia, southern Peru, and northern Chile.

Spanish Colonial Period

In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro, Diego de Almagro, and Hernando de Luque took control of the region, which became part of the Viceroyalty of Peru. The Spanish conquest of the Inca empire was mostly completed by 1533, and the territory now known as Bolivia was called Charcas. The city of Potosí, founded in 1545 as a mining town, soon became the largest city in the New World, with a population exceeding 150,000 people.

Independence and Subsequent Wars

The struggle for independence began in the city of Sucre in 1809, with the Chuquisaca Revolution. This was followed by the La Paz revolution in July 1809, marking a complete split with the Spanish government. After 16 years of fighting, the Bolivian Republic was established on 6 August 1825, named after Simón Bolívar.

Bolivia has a history of political instability, with a series of military and civilian governments throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The country has also lost over half of its territory to neighbouring countries since independence, including its Pacific coastline to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1883).

20th and 21st Centuries

Bolivia experienced a period of economic growth and political stability under the presidency of Evo Morales (2006-2019), but was also accused of democratic backsliding. Morales resigned in 2019 amid allegations of election fraud and widespread protests. Jeanine Áñez served as interim president until new elections were held in 2020, which were won by Luis Arce.

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