Few people know this small but beautiful country in its own way. Bolivia is located in the center of South America. Its neighbors are Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Peru. Bolivia has no access to the sea.

Before the invasion of South America by Europeans, the territory of Bolivia belonged to the Inca Empire. In the 16th century, the first representatives of Spain set foot here, and they ruled in this country until 1809. After receiving the long-awaited independence, a series of wars, economic and political difficulties hit small Bolivia.

The official capital of Bolivia is Sucre, but the government and many state institutions are located in La Paz, it is often considered the capital of this unique state.

In Bolivia, more than 55% of the population are Indians, representatives of the white race here are only 15%, and less than 30% are mestizos. It is worth noting that 37 official languages ​​are registered in this country, mainly Indian dialects.

Bolivia is the most mountainous country, isolated from the whole world. It is on its territory that the most saline, wettest and driest parts of the earth's surface are located.

The territory of Bolivia is very rich in various natural resources: oil, gas, silver, gold, iron, etc. But, oddly enough, this country is still one of the poorest not only in Latin America, but throughout the world.

Capital	Sucre
Population	9 180 000 people (for 2010)
	1,098,581 km²
Population density	8.9 people/km²
	Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Religion	Catholicism and Protestantism
Form of government	Presidential republic
	boliviano
Timezone
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

The peculiarity of the climate of Bolivia is that in this country there is no single full-fledged climatic zone. In the flat areas, a subequatorial and tropical climate is observed, but in the mountainous regions the weather takes on a sharply continental character. In summer (and in Bolivia this is the period from September to February), the air temperature rises to +34 ° C. At this time, it often rains in the country. In winter (from March to April) in Bolivia, the temperature is quite comfortable for a person - +21 ° C. In the west of the country, on the territory of the Altiplano plateau, the average daily temperature reaches +15 °C. And the highlands differ from other areas of Bolivia in that there the thermometer shows +5 ... + 11 ° C throughout the year. This country is characterized by very large temperature fluctuations in winter.

When choosing the time for a trip to Bolivia, it is better to give preference to the period from May to October. And most tourists from all over the world come to this wonderful country in August.

Nature

Majestic mountains, magnificent blue lakes, exotic forests - all this makes Bolivia a wonderful unforgettable country that attracts more and more tourists every year.

Bolivia is mostly a mountainous country. A significant part of its territory is located in Andes. Along the border with Chile are located Western Cordillera which include a huge number of active volcanoes. The highest mountain in Bolivia is also located here - Sayama, its height reaches more than 6.5 km.

Bolivia is a country not only of high mountains, but also of beautiful blue lakes and rivers. Most tourists visiting the country visit one of the largest lakes in the world - Lake Titicaca. Its area is about 8500 km2.

Many people come to Bolivia to see the famous salt lakes. Unique salt marshes attract people not only with their unique views, but also with the opportunity to live for several days in the only salt hotel in the world.

Beautiful tropical rainforests occupy about 40% of the entire territory of the country. The most common plants are rubber trees, as well as vanilla and saffron. One of the most amazing representatives of the flora grows in this country - a cow (or milk) tree. The juice of this plant in color and taste really resembles cow's milk.

Attractions

When going to Bolivia, you need to make a plan for moving around the country in order to see as many sights as possible. The most famous of them are the magnificent lake Titicaca, unique salt marshes, as well as a huge number of architectural structures of the Inca culture.

When visiting Sucre- the capital of Bolivia - you should definitely visit the famous small town tarabuco, which houses the largest shopping market in the country. Dinosaur lovers should see the Dinosaur Mark Valley, which has a huge number of dinosaur footprints, as well as fossils of other animals and plants from the Jurassic period.

La Paz known for its unique buildings of the Spanish period. Most of the colonial buildings today house museums that present visitors with expositions that tell about the history and culture of the inhabitants of the city and the country.

Tourists are most interested in the Zongo Valley with its magnificent blue lakes and ice caves. Nearby are the ruins of the most mysterious Andean city - Tiahuanaco, which is known for its unique Gate of the Sun, Akapana Pyramid. Of particular delight to tourists is the megalithic masonry, located near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca.

Lake Titicaca is the highest body of water in the world. The name of this unique reservoir in translation from the Indian language means "stone puma". And indeed, if you look at the lake from a height, then its contour resembles the outline of a puma's body. Since ancient times, it was considered sacred by the Indian peoples.

Unique salt lake Salar de Uyuni annually attracts a large number of foreign tourists. During rains, salt marshes are covered with a thin layer of water, which makes the surface of the lake smooth and mirror-like. At the same time, it seems that it is in this place that the earth and sky are connected.

Nutrition

Bolivian cuisine is based on national indian dishes under Spanish influence. The main products in cooking are potatoes, corn and meat. Bolivians mainly eat pork, beef, as well as poultry and alpaca meat. The population of remote villages still cooks and eats guinea pigs.

The local population prefers to cook food with a lot of oil. The most common dish in Bolivia is… shashlik. Having tried this famous dish here, one can doubt who cooks tastier - Bolivians or Georgians. A prerequisite for serving meat dishes to the table is the addition of local hot sauces. llahua" And " lokotos».

When visiting local restaurants, waiters will certainly recommend you to try the national dish " pique-a-lo-macho". The basis of this famous food is grilled meat served with potatoes and seasoned with a sauce of tomatoes and onions. Another famous Bolivian dish is silpancho”, when a steak with scrambled eggs is laid on a substrate of potatoes and rice.

Quite famous in Bolivia is the unique fruit salad. ensalada de frutas» - small pieces of local juicy fruits are poured with fresh yogurt with honey, and nuts added to it add a delicate taste to this salad.

No lunch or dinner in Bolivia is complete without the famous Bolivian alcoholic drink " chichi". They drink it from small bowls with a sloping bottom. This was done so that it was impossible to put down the bowl without finishing the chicha. Most tourists, when dining in restaurants, opt for the local beer "Pasenya" or "Huare", which tastes no worse than German or Czech counterparts.

Prices in restaurants in Bolivia are quite reasonable. A three-course meal for two will cost $10. And in an inexpensive cafe, the same set of products will cost about $ 3.

Accommodation

Hotels in Bolivia do not have an official classification. However, hotels that are part of large networks of international tour operators have their well-deserved stars. It should be noted that there are very few five-star hotels in Bolivia, they are located mainly in Santa Cruz And La Paz.

Before choosing a hotel for an overnight stay, you must check in advance the availability of air conditioning and hot water in the rooms. A large number of services in Bolivian hotels are provided for an additional fee.

Bolivia is known for its original and unique salt hotel. Palacio de Sal, which is located in the heart of the salt marsh Uyuni. Everything in this hotel is made of salt blocks. To check in there, you need to book rooms several months in advance, since this particular hotel is in great demand among foreigners. The price for a double room is just over $135 per night. This hotel features a salt-water pool, hot tub and Russian bath.

Entertainment and recreation

Bolivia offers a wide variety of unforgettable entertainment. Many lovers of extreme sports, as well as those people who prefer a calm and measured rest, will find activities to their liking here.

Lovers of outdoor activities often come here. The eastern slopes of the Andes of this country are considered the best for mountaineering, trekking and other extreme sports. Hiking trails are very common among tourists. Inca Trail”, which runs through the highlands, as well as cycling trips along death road.

Those who love skiing know that this is where the highest ski resort in the world is located - Chacaltaya. About a dozen tracks have been created in this place, which are serviced by eight lifts. Chacaltaya is considered the most extreme resort in the world, since the local air has a rather low level of oxygen, which makes it difficult to move around the local mountains. If you decide to look into this area, then the best time to visit it is the period from April to June.

Particularly attractive for tourists are the architectural monuments of the ancient peoples who inhabited this territory even before the invasion of the Spaniards. Most tourists who come to this original country dream of visiting one of the villages of Indian tribes, immersing themselves in their life, and also participating in various carnivals and holidays of this unique people. Tour companies organize many tours of ancient Indian villages with the opportunity to stay overnight in the traditional home of endangered peoples. You will definitely never forget such a tour!

One of the most visited places in Bolivia is the lake Titicaca. This alpine lake with its magnificent scenery is mesmerizing. There are numerous islands on the lake that are open to the public.

The most unusual landscape on the planet is also in Bolivia - this is an unusual salty Lake Uyuni an area of ​​​​12,000 km 2. In some places, the thickness of the rock salt layer here reaches 10 m. Many people who got here recognize this place as the most amazing in the whole world.

Bolivia is home to the largest zoo in South America. It is located near the city Santa Cruz de la Sierra. In this place you can see representatives of the flora and fauna of both South America and the whole world.

Purchases

When shopping for souvenirs in Bolivia, you can get confused by the wide variety of such products. Each nationality of this country creates original, unlike anything things. Bolivian wood products, ceramics, local textiles, and knitted bags are especially popular among tourists. A feature of all these items is insanely bright colors.

When choosing edible products, be sure to purchase in Sucre the most delicious chocolate. In terms of taste, he can compete even with his famous Swiss brother.

Trekking enthusiasts can buy in this country uniforms of well-known brands of excellent quality, and most importantly, at a very affordable price.

Local shops and shops are open from 8:00 to 19:00 with a lunch break. In the major cities of the magician

zines, popular with tourists, are open until late in the evening, and some supermarkets are open around the clock.

Transport

The most common modes of transport in Bolivia are bus And airplane. In general, air traffic in this country is well developed, mainly due to the inability to get to some hard-to-reach places by land transport. Malomali airport in Bolivia is in almost every locality. Domestic flights are provided by several local companies Aerosur, Amaszonas, BoA, GOL, Aerocon and TAM. Prices for flights within the country are quite reasonable, the average cost of one flight is about $120. But this country has its own peculiarities of air travel. When registering for an airplane, you must pay a tax of 15 bolivianos, which is approximately $ 3. In the case of a flight to another country on Bolivian aircraft, the cost of the tax increases to $ 25.

bus service connects large cities with small villages. A feature of the use of this type of transport in Bolivia is that its operation ends after 18:00. In this country, you can find both modern comfortable buses and "prehistoric units". The cost of a bus ride with air conditioning and a bathroom for up to an hour is $ 2. You can also rent a car in Bolivia, the cost of such a service for a week will be approximately $400.

Railways have not gained much popularity in Bolivia, however, there are still several routes that may be of great interest to tourists. The most attractive railway line - Uyuni Oruro. The magnificent picturesque landscapes visible from the train window will not leave anyone indifferent.

Connection

Oddly enough, communication in Bolivia is quite well developed. Mobile operators support standards TDMA And GSM 190. They completely cover all the flat territories of the country and the capital. In mountainous areas, cellular communications are present selectively. Local mobile operators support the roaming of most major European companies.

In Bolivia, the telecommunications system is at a high level. National Telephone Company ENTEL provides local communication, as well as long-distance and international calls. The cost of local calls is quite low, while international calls are expensive. So, one minute of conversation with Europe costs more than $1.1, and for a conversation with North America you will have to pay a little more than $0.5.

Network technologies in Bolivia are developing very intensively. In large cities, there are a large number of Internet cafes, the cost of one hour of using the Internet in such establishments is just over $5.

Safety

For the most part, Bolivia is considered a safe country for tourists. The biggest crime against foreigners here is fraud. Take special care when in crowded places, pickpockets can work here, so always keep a bag with a wallet in sight.

As in any country with a tropical climate, various infectious diseases are present in Bolivia, so you should make the necessary vaccinations before arriving in this country.

It is also better to use bottled water in this area, it is also worth washing fruits and vegetables purchased at local markets, even brushing your teeth with mineral water is better in order to avoid the appearance of various troubles in the form of intestinal diseases.

Speaking of traffic, it is worth mentioning that it defies any logic in Bolivia. It is insanely chaotic, and there can be no talk of any rules. So be careful, especially if you decide to drive yourself.

Real estate

The Bolivian real estate market has recently begun to interest more and more foreigners. In this country, there are a large number of offers for the sale of real estate in the price range up to $ 50,000. For this amount, you can buy a fairly large house or apartment in a large city, up to 150 m2, or a huge plot of fertile land.

The following provinces are most popular with foreign property buyers: Santa Cruz, Cochabamba And beni. Despite the increased interest of foreign investors, real estate purchase transactions are more concluded with local residents.

Bolivian laws do not have special restrictions regarding the sale of real estate to foreign nationals. They can issue full ownership of local houses and lands without any problems. In addition, buying property in Bolivia makes it much easier to obtain a residence permit in this country.

When buying a home in the countryside, be wary of locals who try to take over some small piece of foreign land, and it is almost impossible to expel them from there.

• Stock up on a variety of sunscreen and hats before you arrive in Bolivia, as the sun's intensity is more than 20 times higher in this mountainous country than at sea level. You need to be especially careful near the alpine lake Titicaca.
• In Bolivia, you should always carry a passport or other identification card with you, which local law enforcement officers may require at any time. Don't be surprised if the police decide to search your hotel room or car. In Bolivia, this is par for the course, but beware of scams on their part. Therefore, it is better to invite an outside person during the search.
• If you decide to find any landmark without the help of a guide, remember that the numbering of houses in Bolivia is in accordance with the order in which they are erected on the street, so the search for the right house can take a whole day.
• For many tourists visiting Bolivia, the first goal is to try coca. Be careful, the local authorities will not pat you on the head for this. The least that can threaten you is a large fine.
• Be considerate and respectful of the locals. Photographing and videotaping them is possible only with their permission.

Visa Information

You need a visa to visit Bolivia. It can be issued directly upon arrival in the country, while the validity of the visa will be limited to 30 days. And you can arrange in advance at the Bolivian Embassy in Moscow.

To apply for a visa at the airport, you must provide the following documents: a passport, one photo, return tickets, proof of sufficient funds for the trip, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and a tourist card filled out in a foreign language.

To apply for a visa at the Bolivian embassy in Moscow, it is worth collecting the following documents: a passport valid for at least another six months, a questionnaire filled out in English, a color photograph, a certificate from the place of work on income for the last year, photocopies of tickets and hotel reservation confirmation. There are no additional fees for issuing a compulsory visa at the consulate.

To apply for a visa to Bolivia, you must contact the embassy at the address: 119034, Moscow, Lopukhinsky p., 5.

There is an amazing country on the world map - lost high in the mountains, retaining its originality, rich in natural resources and attractions. This - Bolivia, on the world map it is spread over the territory of the former Inca empire.

Over half of its inhabitants Indians. And there are already 37 official languages ​​in this state - the most in the world!

Bolivia on the world map in Russian

Geography connoisseurs will easily find Bolivia on the map, the rest should be reminded where in the world this multinational state is located.

Another major city in the country cochabamba, with a population of almost a million inhabitants. The center of the department with the same name is located between the high mountains in the valley. These places are fertile and densely populated. “Garden City” is what they say about Cochabamba.

The city is famous for the statue of Christ, which is 2 m higher (together with the pedestal) than the more famous monument to Jesus in Brazilian Rio.

All these cities are connected by air. There is also an airport in El Alto in the west of the country. This metropolis of almost 1 million inhabitants is unique in that it is the highest mountain in the world. 4100 m - this is the height of the central part of El Alto.

Internal organization

Bolivia is a republic led by president. The country has its own state symbols, reflecting the history and national characteristics.

Flag and coat of arms

Rectangular tricolor This is what the country's flag looks like. Its cloth is divided into three identical stripes: the lower one is green, the central one is yellow and the upper one is red.

The green color symbolizes hopes for a better future, yellow - the wealth of the country's bowels and the color of the ancestors of the current Inca Bolivians, the red stripe - a symbol of the blood spilled by the patriots who fought for the country's independence.

In the center of the yellow stripe is Bolivian coat of arms. It is oval in shape and enclosed in a blue frame. The center of the coat of arms is occupied by Mount Potosi, the fauna of the country is personified by the alpaca, agriculture is represented by a sheaf of wheat and breadfruit. Guns, an ax, a Phrygian cap, laurel branches, a condor, stars - each of these images on the Bolivian coat of arms has its own meaning.

Population

Bolivia is home to over 11 million people. This is the most "Indian" country in America, where most of the indigenous population has survived - 55%. Mostly these are the Aymara and Quechua peoples. About 30% of the inhabitants are mestizos and 15% are Europeans.

Of the foreigners in the country, a large diaspora is represented Germans who moved to the South American continent after World War II.

There are in Bolivia and Russians. Basically, these are the descendants of the Old Believers. The resettlement of the Old Believers began in the 2nd half of the nineteenth century. But the flow of Russian emigrants became more massive during the years of collectivization. The Old Believers settled far from the cities, were engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry.

The Old Believers did not marry locals, which allowed them to preserve the Russian language and their culture.

Due to government land reform settlers began to experience certain inconveniences and began to move to their historical homeland. The return to the Russian Federation (in particular, to Primorye) took place through the program of resettlement of compatriots.

Languages

Few people know what language is spoken in Bolivia. And the lingua franca in Bolivia is Spanish. But the uniqueness of this country is that another 36 are recognized as official languages ​​there - all that are spoken by local residents. This is a real world record!

Quechua and Aymara are spoken by almost all Bolivians. A Bolivian Spanish differs in that it includes many Native American words and phrases. Interestingly, even those languages ​​​​that are spoken by only a few dozen inhabitants of the country are officially recognized.

Money

What is the currency used in Bolivia? The local currency is called boliviano, in one banknote 100 coins - centavo.

Traveling long distances often requires travel insurance. Read about travel insurance.

Boliviano have denomination: 1 and 2 (coins), 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 (banknotes). There are centavos in circulation in denominations of 10, 20 and 50.

American dollars are accepted everywhere in the country, in use and Euro. The exchange can be made at banks, exchange offices, airports, hotels, travel agencies and large retail outlets. Traveler's checks can only be cashed in major Bolivian cities.

Visa

Russian citizens can enter Bolivia without a visa if the visit is private, tourist or transit. At the same time, the planned stay in the country should not exceed 90 days.

If the trip is planned for a longer period, a visa will be required at the Consulate of Bolivia in.

You can apply for a visa and at the entrance into the country, at the border. You will need a passport, medical insurance, return tickets, a certain amount of money.

The Russian Embassy in Bolivia with a consular section is located in the city of La Paz.

Tourism

The tourism sector in Bolivia has great potential. This country has a lot to see and admire. Majestic mountain landscapes, original Indian culture, original national cuisine and natural attractions attract more and more tourists.

Rest in the country

How to characterize a holiday in Bolivia? He diverse is undoubtedly:

1. fans of active entertainment can go to Andes, where there is everything for skiing, mountaineering and trekking;
2. extreme lovers they will offer to ride a bike along the dangerous winding Road of Death, and hardy tourists - to walk along the Inca Trail;
3. lovers of tropical landscapes should visit Amazonian jungle with their riot of colors, abundance of exotic flora and fauna;
4. Architecture lovers should visit main cities of the country that have preserved the colonial style and their special local flavor;
5. those who are interested in Indian culture need to visit far from civilization mountain villages where the way of life has changed little over the centuries.

To travel abroad, you must fulfill a certain number of requirements, one of which is the absence of debts. Read on to find out if you have a debt.

Bolivian hotels differ in the level of service depending on the number of stars and accessories. Hotels of international chains correspond to the declared standard. 5-star apartments are characterized by a high level of service.

For budgetary tourists are intended for a lot of other places of residence: hostels, cheap hotels, private apartments and houses.

basis Bolivian cuisine are potatoes, meat and corn. They prefer to cook meat dishes in a pan with the addition of a large amount of oil. In the outback they eat guinea pigs, which is very exotic for Europeans.

Sights and nature

Bolivia is real paradise for lovers of mountain landscapes. Seeing with your own eyes the majestic peaks of extinct volcanoes over 6 thousand meters high is an unforgettable experience for a tourist.

Lake Titicaca- a unique natural landscape. At an altitude of 3800 m there is a vast reservoir - the highest of all navigable lakes in the world. Since ancient times, Indian peoples have revered the lake as sacred.

On the shores of Lake Titicaca are the ruins of the ancient city of Tiwanaku, which belonged to the state of the Incas.

About a third of the country's territory is occupied by wet tropical forests. Saffron, milk tree, vanilla, rubber trees are the most common in these forest areas. Jaguars, cougars, llamas, vicunas, alpacas, various reptiles and many birds and insects live on the territory of the country.

Those who want to see a truly unearthly landscape should go to Uyuni salt desert. The landscapes here are unrealistically beautiful, some kind of space. The rains turn the salt marsh into a huge natural mirror.

Depending on the interests of tourists, you can visit more several places:

• The most extreme ski resort in the world is also located in this amazing country. This Chakaltaya with its dozens of trails of varying difficulty and rarefied mountain air;
• Those tourists who are interested in the history and culture of the country should visit the city Potosi(silver capital) with a mint and a cathedral of the 16th century;
• Colonial architecture can be appreciated by visiting La Paz with its spacious cathedral, where 12 thousand people are placed, the National Museum, the Witches' Market, Moon Valley;
• IN Zongo Valley beautiful blue lakes, ice caves, the ruins of Tiahuanaco - the mysterious city with the Gate of the Sun;
• IN Madidi National Park guests will see an amazing variety of landscapes - from tropical Amazonian forests to icy mountain peaks.

Lost in the high mountains of Bolivia, today more and more opens up to the world. Tourists are welcome here, because the Bolivians want to show people all the beauties and sights of their unique country. And let each guest make sure that the epithet "most most" best describe Bolivia.

Look in this video where exactly is Bolivia on the world map:

The map can be enlarged or reduced

Bolivia from satellite

Bolivia, one of the most famous Spanish colonies in South America. It was part of the Inca Empire, from the 13th century, but in the 15th century the Spaniards came and conquered this state. Indeed, they came at a good moment when the tribes dissatisfied with the rule of the Incas were ready to rebel and supported the Spaniards. However, the Spaniards turned out to be no less harsh hosts. This was especially evident when a huge amount of silver was discovered. And they drove yesterday's allies to their prey, with steel and muskets, with a whip and a stick. Forcing the freedom-loving Indians to moan and actively resist.

However, until the mines dried up, resistance was brutally suppressed. Later, Spain lost interest in this region and the revolution led by Bolivar won.

Bolivia, along with Colombia, is the largest producer of cocaine. The current president is Evo Morales, friend of Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, leader of the coca growers' association. Being an Aymara Indian who has been chewing coca leaves for centuries as a stimulant, he categorically opposes international demands to stop producing coca. To this, he declares that the leaves are harmless, and he also fights against the production of cocaine. The US administration is extremely concerned, but Morales believes that this is just a pretext for the presence of an overseas ruler in the country. It is supported by the majority of the population.
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Bolivia is a poor state and the mountain roads here are incredibly dangerous. Narrow, winding, as if they were laid along goat paths. Guardrail posts on sharp bends look like a mockery when they are enveloped in dense clouds.

(Republic of Bolivia)

Geographical position. Bolivia is a country in the central part of South America. In the north and east it borders with Brazil, in the southeast - with Paraguay, in the south - with Argentina, in the west - with Chile and Peru.

Square. The territory of Bolivia occupies 1,098,581 sq. km.

Gchavnye cities, administrative division. The capital of Bolivia is Sucre (official), La Paz (actual). The largest cities: La Paz (1246 thousand people), San ta Cruz (695 thousand people), Cochabamba (404 thousand people), Oruro (183 thousand people), Sucre (131 thousand people). people), Potosi (112 thousand people). Administrative-territorial division of the country: 9 departments.

Political system

Bolivia Republic. The head of state and government is the president. The legislature is the National Congress.

Relief. In the western part of the country, the Andes mountain range stretches from north to south. Some of the highest peaks of this range are located in Bolivia: Anko-huma (6,550 m), Illampu (6,485 m) and Illimani (6,462 m). To the east and northeast of the mountains stretch the vast Amazonian plains; to the southeast lie the Chaco valleys.

Geological structure and minerals. The bowels of the country contain reserves of tin, natural gas, oil, silver, iron ore, zinc, tungsten, lead, and gold.

Climate. The climate of Bolivia is somewhat different in different regions. The mountainous areas are cold and dry, while the climate is warmer in the valleys. The average annual temperature in the mountains is about +8°С and in the valleys - about +26°С.

Inland waters. Among the major rivers of Bolivia are the Beni, the Madre de Dios in the north and northeast, the Pilcomayo and the Desaguadero in the southeast.

Soils and vegetation. Due to the diverse landscape, plants of almost all climatic zones grow in Bolivia. Among the most notable are rubber trees, over 2,000 species of hardwoods, vanilla, sar-saparilla and saffron.

Animal world. Among the representatives of the fauna, the llama stands out, as well as the armadillo, puma, jaguar, alpaca, vicuña. Reptiles, birds and insects are widely represented.

Population and language

The population of the country is about 7.826 million people, the population density is one of the lowest among the countries of the continent: about 7 people per 1 sq. km. km. Ethnic groups: Quechua Indians - 30%, Aymara Indians - 25%, mestizos - 25 - 30%), Europeans (mostly Spaniards) -14%. Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara (all official, but Indian languages ​​are more widely spoken).

Religion

Catholics - 95%.

Brief historical outline

In the XIII century. The territory of modern Bolivia became part of the Inca Empire. In 1538 it was conquered by the Spanish conquistador Hernando Pizarro, later the Spaniards discovered a large number of silver mines, and for the next 200 years this region was one of the most prosperous among the Spanish colonies. In the XVIII century. the mines began to dry up and practically closed by the end of the century. August 6, 1825 Bolivia gained independence. Subsequently, during several wars, Bolivia ceded the coast of Chile, the oil-rich territories of the Chaco to Paraguay and part of the territory to Brazil.

Brief economic essay

The basis of the economy is the mining industry. Bolivia occupies one of the leading places in the world in the extraction of tin, antimony, tungsten; Zinc, lead and other non-ferrous metals, oil and natural gas are also mined. Textile, food flavoring, metalworking, oil refining industry; enterprises of non-ferrous metallurgy and petrochemistry. Main agricultural crops: corn, rice, potatoes, sugarcane, cotton, bananas, coffee. Pasture animal husbandry. Forest crafts: collection of hevea juice, cinchona bark, coca leaves. Export: mining raw materials (over 95% of the value), oil, natural gas.

The monetary unit is the Boliviano.

A Brief Outline of Culture

Art and architecture. La Paz. National Museum and Cathedral, accommodating 12 thousand people (built in 1933). Sweat. Cathedral of the 16th century; mint built in 1572.