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Location
South America.
Time
GMT - 4.
Area
1,098,581 sq km (424,164 sq miles).
Population
9 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density
7.6 per sq km.
Capital
Legal: Sucre. Population: 250,000 (official estimate 2006). Administrative: La Paz. Population: 830,000 (official estimate 2006).
Geography
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. There are three main areas: the first is a high plateau known as the ‘Altiplano’, a largely barren region lying approximately 4,000m (13,000ft) above sea level. It comprises 10% of the country’s area and contains 70% of the population, nearly one-third of whom are urban dwellers. The second area is a fertile valley situated 1,800m (5,900ft) to 2,700m (8,850ft) above sea level. The third area comprises the lowland tropics which stretch down to the frontiers with Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, taking up some 70% of the land area. Rainfall in this region is high, and the climate is hot.
Government
Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1825.
Head of State
President Evo Morales since January 2006.
Recent History
Following revolts, stemming from multiple fractious factors, such as economic recession and longstanding ethnic tensions, Movimiento Nacional Revolucionario's Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada resigned in 2003. Carlos Mesa assumed presidency and, for a while, seemed the man for the job of quieting this turbulent country. However, he resigned in June 2005 after a surge of protests swept the country.
Presidential elections took place in December 2005. Evo Morales, a leftist from Bolivia's indigenous peoples, won a decisive victory and was inaugurated as president in January 2006. Morales is the leader of Bolivia's cocalero movement – a loose federation of coca leaf-growing campesinos who are resisting the efforts of the the US-sponsored 'war on drugs'.
As of May 2006, Morales nationalised all natural gas reserves.
Presidential elections took place in December 2005. Evo Morales, a leftist from Bolivia's indigenous peoples, won a decisive victory and was inaugurated as president in January 2006. Morales is the leader of Bolivia's cocalero movement – a loose federation of coca leaf-growing campesinos who are resisting the efforts of the the US-sponsored 'war on drugs'.
As of May 2006, Morales nationalised all natural gas reserves.
Language
The official language is Spanish, but the main native languages are Quechua, Aymará and Guaraní. English can be spoken by a small number of officials and businesspeople in commercial centres.
Religion
Roman Catholic with a Protestant minority.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. European two-pin (circular) plugs or Japanese-style two-pin (perpendicular flat) plugs.
Social Conventions
Normal social courtesies in most Bolivian families and respect for traditions should be observed. Remember to refer to rural Bolivians as campesinos rather than Indians, which is considered an insult. Western dress and diet are gradually being adopted by the campesinos; a suit and tie for men and dress for women should be worn for smart social occasions. Casual wear is otherwise suitable. Smoking is accepted unless indicated otherwise.