Bolivia's Geographical Location: Where In The World?

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 and northwest. Bolivia is the 5th largest country in South America and the largest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere. It has a population of around 11-12 million people and is officially named the Plurinational State of Bolivia. The country has a rich history, having once been the centre of the ancient Tiwanaku empire and later a part of the Inca empire.

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 to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west and northwest. Bolivia is the fifth-largest country in South America, covering an area of 1,098,581 sq. km (424,164 sq mi).

Bolivia's geography is diverse, with three distinctive regions: the tropical lowlands (llanos) covered by extensive rainforests; the transitional sub-Andean region of highland valleys in the south-central part of the country; and the highlands of the Altiplano (high plateau). The Altiplano includes Bolivia's highest peak, the snow-capped Nevado Sajama, which rises to 6,542 m (21,463 ft) above sea level, as well as Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America.

Bolivia has a population of approximately 12 million people and is officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia. The country's constitutional capital is Sucre, while the administrative capital and seat of government is La Paz. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, located in the eastern tropical lowlands, is Bolivia's largest city and the principal industrial centre.

Bolivia's location in the Andes and its Amazonian lowlands give it a varied climate, ranging from tropical to polar. The country's biodiversity is considered one of the greatest in the world, with a wide range of ecosystems, including the Altiplano, tropical rainforests, dry valleys, and the Chiquitania, a tropical savanna.

Bolivia's economy is largely based on mining and agriculture. The country has rich mineral resources, including tin, silver, lithium, copper, and gold. Agriculture is also important, with products such as sugarcane, soybeans, maize, and potatoes forming a significant part of the country's exports.

The country's geography and climate

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. Covering an area of 1,098,581 sq. km (424,164 sq mi), 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 northwest.

The geography of Bolivia is dominated by the Andes Mountains, which bisect the country roughly from north to south. To the west of the Andes is the Cordillera Occidental, a chain of dormant volcanoes and solfataras (volcanic vents emitting sulfurous gases). The Cordillera Occidental includes Bolivia's highest peak, the snow-capped Nevado Sajama, which rises to 6,542 m (21,463 ft) above sea level. To the east of the Andes is the Cordillera Oriental, a massive snow-capped series of granite mountains. The Cordillera Real, or "Royal Range," is a particularly spectacular section of the Cordillera Oriental, with some peaks exceeding 6,000 m (19,685 ft).

Sandwiched between these two mountain ranges is the Altiplano, a highland plateau that extends from southern Peru through Bolivia to northern Argentina. The Altiplano is relatively flat, lying at elevations between 3,650 and 3,800 m (12,000 and 12,500 ft). The Altiplano includes several large salt flats, the dried remnants of ancient lakes, including the Uyuni Saltpan, which covers over 9,000 sq. km. The Altiplano also contains Bolivia's most important lake, Lake Titicaca, which is shared with Peru. Lake Titicaca is the highest commercially navigable body of water in the world, sitting at 3,810 m (12,503 ft) above sea level.

To the east of the Cordillera Oriental are the lowland plains of the Amazon Basin. This region, known as the Oriente, is an extension of the Amazon River basin that covers more than two-thirds of Bolivia. The Oriente is composed of low alluvial plains, swamps, flooded bottomlands, open savannas, and tropical forests. It is home to the greatest variety of wildlife in the nation, as well as the largest population center, Santa Cruz.

Bolivia's climate varies drastically from one ecoregion to another, ranging from tropical in the eastern lowlands to polar in the western Andes. The summers are generally warm and humid in the east, while the winters are very cold in the west. The rainy season typically occurs from December to March, but precipitation varies greatly throughout the country. The lowlands of the Oriente have a hot climate, averaging 23 to 27 °C (73 to 80 °F) in the south and up to 25 °C (77 °F) in the north. The Altiplano, by contrast, has a cool to cold climate, with average temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 °C (59 to 68 °F). The Yungas region, located between the Altiplano and the Oriente, has a humid and rainy climate, with mean annual temperatures between 16 and 20 °C (60 and 68 °F).

The history of Bolivia

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in 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 west.

Upper Peru joined the Spanish American wars of independence in the early nineteenth century and the Bolivian Republic was established on 6 August 1825, named after Simon Bolivar. The country's first president was Venezuelan freedom fighter Simon Bolivar, after whom the country is named. However, the country faced repeated wars against its neighbours in the nineteenth century, including the War of the Pacific, which resulted in Bolivia losing its access to the sea.

In the twentieth century, Bolivia experienced a succession of military and civilian governments until Hugo Banzer led a CIA-supported coup d'état in 1971, replacing the socialist government with a military dictatorship. In 1982, Bolivia transitioned back to civilian rule and in 1993, Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada was elected president.

In the twenty-first century, Bolivian politics was dominated by Evo Morales until he resigned in 2019 amid protests. In 2020, Luis Arce, a former colleague of Morales, was elected president.

Bolivia's economy and natural resources

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America, with 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 the 5th largest country in South America and the largest landlocked nation in the Southern Hemisphere. Bolivia's economy is the 95th largest in the world in nominal terms and the 87th largest in purchasing power parity. Bolivia is classified by the World Bank as a lower-middle-income country. Bolivia's economy has historically been reliant on its natural resources, and the country has become a regional leader in economic growth, fiscal stability, and foreign reserves.

Agriculture and Livestock

Bolivia's arable land is a vital natural resource, with the agricultural sector contributing 23% to the nation's GDP in 1987. Bolivia's essential crops include coffee, soybeans, and sugar, with soybeans being one of the country's most vital crops since the 1980s. The country also has a well-developed livestock industry, with farmers rearing cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep.

Mining and Minerals

Mining has been a significant economic activity in Bolivia for centuries, with minerals constituting a central pillar of its economy. Bolivia has vast mineral resources, including tin, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, and gold. The country also has the largest lithium reserves in the world, estimated at approximately 5.5 million tons. However, the government has been reluctant to exploit these reserves due to the environmental impact on the country's salt flats, a major tourist attraction.

Oil and Natural Gas

Bolivia has oil reserves of approximately 2,475,558,137 cubic feet, primarily located in the eastern and southern regions. The country also has the second-largest natural gas reserves in South America, which have become a significant source of export revenue. Natural gas exports bring in millions of dollars daily and currently represent the main source of income for the Bolivian state.

Water Resources

Bolivia has abundant water resources, with two of its main basins, Del Plata and Amazonas, forming part of the largest hydrographical systems on the continent. The Altiplanic basin, which includes Lake Titicaca, holds enormous potential for hydroelectric power generation.

The country's political system

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America, sharing borders with Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. It is a unitary republic with a representative democratic government. The country's political system is multi-party, with legislative power split between the government and the two chambers of parliament. Executive power is exercised by the government, and the judiciary and the electoral branch are independent of the executive and the legislature.

Bolivia's current constitution was adopted via referendum in 2009, providing for a unitary secular state. The president is directly elected to a five-year term by popular vote and holds executive authority. A candidate needs either an absolute majority or 40% of the vote with a 10-point lead to win the election. If no candidate receives an absolute majority of the popular vote, a run-off election is held between the two candidates with the most votes. The president is supported by a cabinet of ministers, with 21 ministries in the executive branch as of 2021.

The legislative branch of the Bolivian government is known as the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and is bicameral, consisting of the Chamber of Senators (or upper house) and the Chamber of Deputies (or lower house). The Chamber of Senators has 36 members, while the Chamber of Deputies has 130 members. Members of both chambers are directly elected for five-year terms.

The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Plurinational Constitutional Court, the Judiciary Council, the Agrarian and Environmental Court, and various district and lower courts. The Supreme Court exercises legal power and upholds the constitution, with judges appointed to 10-year terms through popular vote.

The electoral branch of the Bolivian government is formally known as the Plurinational Electoral Organ, which replaced the National Electoral Court in 2010. It is an independent branch of government, consisting of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Departmental Electoral Tribunals, Electoral Judges, Juries at Election Tables, and Electoral Notaries.

At a regional level, Bolivia is divided into nine departments, with governors elected by popular vote. Each department has an independently elected Departmental Legislative Assembly. Mayors and municipal councils are also directly elected to five-year terms.

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