Exploring The Country Southwest Of Bolivia

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

Chile is southwest of Bolivia

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America that occupies a long and narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Santiago is Chile's capital and largest city.

Bolivia and Chile have a history of conflict. Bolivia became landlocked after losing its Pacific coast territory to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884). Bolivia has historically maintained a maritime claim to that part of Chile and has sought sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean and its maritime space.

Bolivia is landlocked

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the largest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere and the seventh largest landlocked country in the world. Bolivia ceded its entire 250-mile coastline to Chile more than a century ago, during the War of the Pacific (1879-1883). 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 has a rich history and diverse geography. It was once the centre of the ancient Tiwanaku (Tiahuanaco) empire, and from the 15th to the early 16th century, it was part of the Inca empire. The country is 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 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) in altitude. It is characterised by the Cordillera Occidental and Cordillera Central mountain ranges and includes the Altiplano, a relatively flat plateau that lies at elevations between 12,000 and 12,500 feet (3,650 and 3,800 metres). The Sub-Andean region, which makes up 13% of the territory, is an intermediate area between the Altiplano and the eastern lowlands. This region is known for its farming activities and temperate climate. The Llanos region comprises 59% of the territory and is located north of the Cordillera Central. It is a flat area covered by extensive rainforests and contains a vast array of biodiversity.

Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America. La Paz, its administrative capital, is the highest capital city in the world, sitting at an altitude of 3,650 metres. Bolivia has the largest proportion of indigenous people, who make up around two-thirds of the country's population of 12 million. The country also has the second-largest reserves of natural gas in South America and is one of the world's largest producers of coca, the raw material for cocaine.

Chile took Bolivia's coastal territory in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884)

Chile took Bolivia's coastal territory in the War of the Pacific, also known as the Saltpeter War, which lasted from 1879 to 1884. The conflict was fought between Chile and an alliance of Bolivia and Peru, and resulted in Chile's annexation of valuable disputed territory on the Pacific coast.

The war was sparked by a dispute between Chile and Bolivia over control of a part of the Atacama Desert, which lies between the 23rd and 26th parallels on the Pacific coast of South America. The territory contained valuable mineral resources, particularly sodium nitrate, which was used as fertiliser and as a key ingredient in explosives. Bolivia's decision to increase taxes on Chilean companies operating in the region led to a diplomatic crisis and, eventually, war.

Chile easily occupied the Bolivian coastal region (Antofagasta province) and then took the offensive against Peru. Naval victories at Iquique and Angamos enabled Chile to control the sea approaches to Peru. A Chilean army then invaded Peru, and in January 1881, Chilean forces occupied the Peruvian capital of Lima. Peruvian resistance continued for three more years, with U.S. encouragement, until a peace treaty was signed in October 1883.

The War of the Pacific had a profound and long-lasting impact on the societies of all three countries involved. For Bolivia, the loss of its coastal territory remains a deeply emotional issue. Chile fared better, gaining lucrative new territories with major sources of income, including nitrates, saltpeter, and copper.

Bolivia has two capital cities: Sucre and La Paz

Sucre is a historic city, named after the revolutionary leader Antonio José de Sucre. It was proclaimed the provisional capital of Alto Peru (later, Bolivia) in 1826. On 12 July 1839, President José Miguel de Velasco renamed the city from La Plata to Sucre in honour of the revolutionary leader.

La Paz is the highest administrative capital city in the world, sitting at an altitude of 3,650m. It is the seat of government and houses the executive and legislative branches of government.

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America, with Chile to its southwest. It is the highest and most isolated country in South America.

Bolivia has the largest proportion of indigenous people in South America

Bolivia, officially 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 to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. Bolivia has the largest proportion of indigenous people in South America, with native peoples constituting anywhere from 20 to 60% of the population, depending on the estimates.

The Indigenous peoples in Bolivia or Native Bolivians are Bolivians who have predominantly or totally Amerindian ancestry. There are 36 recognized indigenous peoples in Bolivia, with the largest groups being the Aymara and Quechua. The geography of Bolivia includes the Andes, the Gran Chaco, the Yungas, the Chiquitania, and the Amazon Rainforest. The country has a rich history and is known for its cultural diversity.

Historically, Indigenous people in Bolivia suffered marginalization and a lack of representation. However, the late twentieth century saw a surge of political and social mobilization in Indigenous communities. The 1952 Bolivian National Revolution liberated Bolivians and granted citizenship to Indigenous peoples, but they still lacked political representation. It wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that social movements such as the Katarista movement began to include Indigenous concerns and pursue an Indigenous political identity.

In 1991, Bolivia signed the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, a major international convention protecting indigenous rights. The country also passed several laws recognizing Indigenous rights, including the 1993 Law of Constitutional Reform and the 2010 Framework Law of Autonomies and Decentralization, which outlined the legal rules and procedures for indigenous communities to achieve autonomy.

In 2005, Evo Morales became the first Indigenous president of Bolivia. He attempted to establish a plurinational and postcolonial state to expand the collective rights of the Indigenous community. The 2009 constitution recognized the presence of different communities in Bolivia and granted Indigenous peoples the right to self-governance and autonomy over their ancestral territories. As a result, Bolivia became the first plurinational state in South America.

Despite these advancements, many Indigenous communities in Bolivia still face challenges, especially regarding seismic work and the exploitation of natural resources. Additionally, land rights remain a serious issue, with Indigenous communities struggling to secure territorial autonomy due to the country's extractive industries.

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