Bolivia

Bolivia
by Debbie Huff
Cedarville University

Culture	Geography	Interesting Facts
	Climate

Pictures taken from http://www.boliviaweb.com/photogallery/index.htm

Geography

~Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil
~Area: total: 1,098,580 sq km land
~Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana
~Land boundaries: Argentina,Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru ~Coastline: landlocked

Other maps

~Structurally and climatically, Bolivia consists of two main regions: the highlands and the eastern lowlands, divided between the Amazon and Parana basins.
~Land is 20 percent arid or desert, 40 percent rain forest, 25 percent pasture and meadow, 2 percent arable, 2 percent inland water, and 11 percent other, including negligible percentage irrigated

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Interesting Facts

Bolivia is named after a fighter Simon Bolivar. Bolivia has been in various wars since breaking away from Spanish rule in 1825. A somewhat democratic government was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, continuing the privatization program, and waging an anti-corruption campaign. Other interesting facts:
~The official language is Spanish (other:Aymara, Quechua, Guaraní )
~The currancy is Boliviano
~La Paz, Bolivia's seat of government is the world's highest capital city
~Click here to link to a page to listen to the National Anthem
~More Information on Bolivia
~Health information on traveling to Bolivia
~The American Chamber of Commerce of Bolivia

~ Inhabitants per Km2: 7.41
~ Average Annual Population Growth: 2.4% (1991-97)
~Infant Mortality (per 1,000 live births): 62.60
~ Life Expectancy at Birth (years): 62.08
~ Economically Active Population: 2,999,840
~ Poverty (% of population below national poverty line): 67% (1997)
~Illiteracy: 13,76 % (1998)
~Average Years of Education: 7.11 years (1998)

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Climate

Tropical with heavy rainfall in northern lowlands to temperate in highland valleys and harsh, chilly conditions on windswept Altiplano, where daily temperatures fluctuate sharply. Uninhabited areas over 5,500 meters high have arctic climate.
Climatically there are two seasons: wet and dry. With its extreme geographical variations, Bolivia has a wide range of climatic patterns.
~Weather in Bolivian cities today!

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Culture

60 % of the population are pure-blooded Indians, who continue to show their strength in the customs and traditions they keep alive. This living culture gives visitors the chance to transport themselves back hundreds of years and allows them to experience a different way of life. When visiting Bolivia you will see traditional houses, clothing, old but effective methods of agriculture, community work, methods of transportation, social traditions, local foods and the living conditions and customs which are special to them.

Bolivia is also rich in human diversity. More than 30 ethnic groups together account for more than 50% of Bolivia's population. The age-old customs, fiestas and culinary treats of the Aymara, Quechua, Tupi, and Guarani cultures are ever-present.

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Pictures taken from http://www.boliviaweb.com/photogallery/index.htm