Bolivia - Indigenous cultures, colonial treasures
Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked country bordered by Peru to the northwest, Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, and Chile to the west. Because of its unique location, in the true heart of South America, Bolivia offers a great range of geographical and cultural diversity to travellers. Because of the lack of modern communication systems and sparsely populated areas, much of the land has been able to thrive and preserve its natural and beautiful nature.
The Bolivian Amazon is situated North and East of the country in the departments of Pando, Beni, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz and La Paz.The jungle is irrigated by many rivers that originate in the mountain ranges and eventually empty into the Amazon River. In the departments of Tarija and Santa Cruz, South and, south east of the country Savannahs and dry forests occupy the land and it is from here that the Rivers descend into the La Plata River and empty into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Altiplano is located west and South West in the departments of Oruro, Potosi, and La Paz. This area is a high plateau formed by the Andean Range. This plateau reaches and average of 4000 metres and house Lake Titicaca, Poopo Lake, The Salt flats of Uyuni and Coipasa, and the desrts of Sur Lipez. The Rain Forest (Yungas) are situated between the Altiplano and the Amazon in Cochabamba and La Paz.
| Facts & Figures | |
|---|---|
| Official Name: | Republic of Bolivia |
| Population: | 8,300,463 |
| Largest Cities: | La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Oruro, Sucre |
| Languages: | Spanish (official) Quechua (official) Aymari¡ (official) |
| Official Currency: | Boliviano |
| Religions: | Catholic (95%) |
| Land Area: | 1,098,579 sq km (424,162 sq miles) |
| Highest Point: | Nevado Sajama (6,520 meters) (21,391 ft) |
Climate
The eastern lowlands are tropical, warm and humid. The Andes are quite temperate in the foothills with frigid conditions at higher elevations.
Currency
The Boliviano is the currency used in Bolivia.. You can change currency at banks, hotels airports, and casa de cambios. Credit cards such as Master card, VISA and America Express are acceptable in hotels, restaurants and some stores.
Transport
There are two main air routes to Bolivia: the international airport of La Paz and Santa Cruz. Carriers such as Loyd Boliviano, Lan Chile, Aerolineas Argentinas, and few other Latin American companies service the connection between Bolivia and their respective hub cities.
BY LAND: It is possible to come by land to Bolivia. From Chile via Arica-Tambo Quemado or via San Pedro de Atacama-Laguna Colorada-Uyuni. From Peru via Puno-Desaguadero-Copacobana. From Argentina via La Quiaca Villazon. From Brazil via Corumba.