Bolivia
Bolivia, officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a country in west-central South America. It covers an area of 1,098,581 square kilometers (424,163 square miles). The population of Bolivia is estimated to be 12,172,000 in 2023. The capital cities of La Paz and Sucre are the administrative and judicial centers, respectively. The population mainly consists of Indians (Aymara and Quechua), mestizos, and people of European descent. The official languages are Spanish and 36 indigenous languages. Christianity is the main religion, with most people belonging to the Roman Catholic denomination; there are also Protestants and remnants of pre-Columbian religions. The currency used is the boliviano.
Bolivia can be divided into three major regions: the southwestern highlands or Altiplano, the western and eastern branches of the Andes Mountains, and the lowland areas in the northern and eastern parts of the country. The Altiplano is home to Lake Titicaca and is bordered by two mountain ranges. The eastern branch is primarily forested, with many deep river valleys, while the western branch is a high plateau surrounded by volcanoes, including Bolivia’s highest peak, Mount Sajama, which stands at 6,542 meters (21,463 feet). The lowlands contain rivers such as the Guaporé, Mamoré, Beni, and upper Pilcomayo. Bolivia has a mixed economy based on natural gas production and agricultural products. It is a unitary multiparty republic with two legislative houses: a Chamber of Senators and a Chamber of Deputies. The head of the state and government is the president.
Useful resources
- Coca Museum - small museum with exhibits tracing the history and applications of the coca plant, including cocaine.
- Ethnography Museum - small ethnography and folklore museum in an 18th-century building featuring an array of artifacts.
- La Paz, Bolivia - official website