Bolivia

Description of Bolivia

Bolivia is officially called the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Bolivia is a landlocked country in the western-central part of South America. It is bordered by Peru, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. 

Before Spanish colonization, the Andean part of Bolivia was under the umbrella of the Inca Empire, and the northern and eastern lowlands were populated with independent tribes. Spanish conquistadors conquered the region in the 1500s. Throughout most of the colonial period, Bolivia was called Upper Peru and was under the control of the Royal Court of Charcas. After there was a move for independence in 1809, there was an extended period of warfare that lasted more than 16 years before the Republic was established. The Republic was named to honor Simon Bolivar, in 1825. Bolivia has gone through several periods of economic problems and political issues. 

Bolivia is a democratic republic, and it is sub-divided into nine areas. Its geography is complex and varied, from the Andes in the West to the lowlands in the East. Bolivia is still a developing country, with a poverty level over 50%. Its primary economic activities include manufacturing, mining, fishing, forestry, agriculture, and petroleum. Bolivia is rich in minerals, specifically tin. 

Bolivia has a population of roughly ten million, and it is multiethnic. There are Africans, Asians, Europeans, and Amerindians living there. The primary language is Spanish, and Quechua, Aymara, and Guarani are also spoken. There are 34 additional indigenous languages, as well. The big number of distinct cultures inside Bolivia has added to the diversity in music, literature, culture, cuisine, and art.

Tourism In Bolivia 

Bolivia has a lot of tourist attractions, both artificial and natural. Bolivia has experienced steady growth in tourism since 1990, even though the country has had economic issues and political instability.

Tourist Attractions 

Bolivia has lots of man-made and natural tourist attractions. The Andes, which are in Bolivia, are the tallest mountain range (outside of Asia), and it is the longest mountain range on earth. La Paz is the seat of government for Bolivia. Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lakes in the world, and it is also the homeland of the Uros. The Uros are a pre-Incan people. They live on artificial islands out on the lake. The Inca people and other pre-Columbian tribes left behind ruins that are still in existence into the modern day. An extremely dangerous road, Yungas Road, attracts thousands of people each year. Potosi, the highest city in the world, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was also where big silver mines were located, and they created enormous wealth for Spain. You can also visit Madidi National Park where you can see the upper Amazon River basin. There is abundant wildlife and diverse ecosystems in the area.

Growth In Tourism And Economic Importance

The tourism industry in Bolivia has grown steadily since 1990. Bolivia attracted more than 300,000 tourists in 2000, which is roughly 50,000 more people than it brought in in 1990. More than $200 million is earned each year from tourism.

Reasons To Visit Bolivia

Bolivia is a tiny country near the much bigger Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Brazil, and it sometimes get set aside on tourists’ itineraries when they’re visiting the region. Right now is the perfect time to visit Bolivia, and there are several physical, cultural, and historical activities and adventures that will please nearly everyone.

The thing that makes Bolivia so appealing is that it is so cheap to travel in and through, and it can make for a very inexpensive adventure through an area that seems like its from another planet. Bolivia has some of the most amazing territory, wildlife, and natural wonders in Lati America.

Revolutionary History

Che is a name that is familiar to most people around the world, and he was probably one of the most prominent Latin American revolutionaries in history. His face is seen on t-shirts for both tourists and locals because it is a symbol of progress and revolution for working class people.

Even though Che was from Argentina, he was taken in the mountains of Bolivia. He was killed shortly thereafter. A lot of people consider the path he took to be a pilgrimage route and an important travel site. There have been several attempts to develop the area for tourism, because of the story of Che.

Beautiful Markets And Lively Merchants

Bolivia has a huge indigenous population, and what that means is that a lot of its local traditions have been preserved. If you want to get a taste of what it’s really like in South America (how it used to be hundreds of years ago), you can journey to some of the remoter villages (make sure they’re still considered safe by the local tourist boards) and see how the people there live. One of the features of Bolivian culture is that the marketplace is a center of shopping, gathering, and activity. To be a part of the Bolivian market shopping experience is a truly fun experience, and you can get a real authentic experience versus something more artificial in a bigger city in a bigger South American country. While it is true that some of the markets have become places just for tourists, there are still some markets that cater just to the locals. There are numerous sites where locals get together weekly, and it’s a wonderful place to buy traditional clothing.

You will find the majority of the markets in Cochabamba. A lot of people visit La Cancha, which is so big and lively that a lot of people find it too overwhelming.

There are several cool markets in La Paz, as well. There are some great souvenirs you can find there. You can find some really cool stuff at Witches Market.

The Most Dangerous Road On Earth

If you want to get a real rush, then mountain bike on the road from La Cumbre to Coroico. This place was called Death Road because more than 200 people die every year. At least, they used to.

The road has been improved a lot since then, and there are far fewer deaths. You should still listen to the safety instructions because it can be very unsafe for novice bikers and it is quite windy. It starts in an extremely windy and cold region, and it eventually ends up in the Yungas jungle.

The Biggest Salt Flats On Earth

Salar de Uyuni is photographed more than anywhere else in Bolivia, and it brings in a lot of people to the country.

It’s a place that looks like it’s from outer space, and the salt flats are at an altitude of almost 12,000 feet and have a coverage area of nearly 5,000 square miles.

Photographs of the area have surreal appearances, because there is no horizon perspective in the vivid salt landscape. You can visit the site year-round, and during the rainy period from late November to early March, there is a brilliant reflection on the water.

Sucre

Sucre is one of the most beautiful cities in South America, and it’s constitutional capital of the country. It’s called the ‘white city’, and it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sucre is world-renowned for its Spanish architecture from colonial times. It is very easy to see the Andalusian influence. The narrow streets where the well-preserved buildings are located are mapped out as a grid.

The majority of people consider this the best and most developed city, and it is thought to be a very ‘liveable’ city for expatriates and long-term tourists who want to learn the language, because it has great infrastructure.

More Reasons To Visit Bolivia

Bolivia is a beautiful and distinctive land. It has a plethora of temperatures and climates. The population of the country is comprised of mostly indigenous people that make up more than 80% of the population. For that reason alone, it is an interesting and cool country worth exploring. Getting to know the indigenous people of Bolivia can be an eye-opening experience. Seeing how villagers, farmers, and merchants live will give you insights into how people lived hundreds of years ago.

There is a big diversity in the population. There are Chiquitanos, Aymaras, and more. There are lots of immigrants from different countries, as well. You will see immigrants, visitors, and expatriates from Korea, Japan, and Europe. A lot of history has been left behind by many generations of Bolivians. Bolivia is very well-preserved as far as mountains, lakes, rivers, and forests. It is virtually untouched in some parts. Seeing the untouched Amazon is a life-changing experience. When you visit Bolivia, you will really get a feel for the real Amazon, compared to visiting some of the more populous cities in nearby countries. While those countries and bigger cities have opportunities to go on exploratory trips into the Amazon, Bolivia immerses you in the Amazon and gives you the real deal. The culture is still very strong in the country. A traveler see wonderful festivals, get delicious meals, hear folk songs, and listen to legends and stories.

Traveling to the country is also extremely affordable. The level of service you get for the price is great too. You will spend about 30% of what you would spend on a trip to Europe. There is just so much adventure in Bolivia, from journeys into the jungle, to lake fishing, to hiking mountain trails and meeting indigenous people. You can also see the highest ski lift in the world, as well as the world’s highest swimming pool and golf course. Lastly, even though Bolivia is filled with low-income people, it is still an extremely safe place.

More Sights To See In Bolivia

La Paz

La Paz is nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, and it is highest capital city in the world. This is a great place to relax and get used to the altitude. Look at the colonial buildings of the city and just take it all in.

Red and Green Lagoons

When you visit Uyuni, you’ll be able to see a couple of uniquely different natural pools. The contrasting colors are definitely something to see. They are good evidence of the volcanic area surrounding the site.

Madidi National Park

There is hardly any place better in Bolivia to see the diversity of flora, fauna, and things in nature than Madidi National Park. It is a national park that has both a tropical rainforest and mountain glaciers. The diversity of climates and temperatures has already been described in this article.

Tiwanaku

Tiwanaku is in the western part of Bolivia, and it is close to the shore of Lake Titicaca. The site is very significant, and it is thought to have been inhabited for more than 3500 years. It is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lake Titicaca

This is the biggest lake in South America, but it gets far fewer visitors on the Bolivian side than the Peruvian side. However, a lot of people say that the Bolivian side is the more beautiful side.

Amazon Jungle

You can see the treasures of the world in the Amazon jungle. Try to spot monkeys, macaws, dolphins, and caymans.

Some facts about Bolivia

Gallery of Bolivia

Bolivia video guide

More information about Bolivia

Top cities of Bolivia