Geography
Bolivia, located in the continent of South America, covers over 424,000 square miles, bordering Peru, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Brazil. The western half of Bolivia is covered by the Andes mountains which stretch a total length of 4,500 miles. The Andes run along two parallel ranges, or cordilleras. Between the western range, Cordillera Occidental, and the eastern range, Cordillera Oriental, lies the Altiplano, a plateau stretching over 105,633 square miles. |
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/3/6/113623721/published/nevado-2539371-960-720_1.jpg?1511959296)
On the northern end of the Altiplano, lies Lake Titicaca. The lake is 12,507 feet above sea level, making it the highest body of water in the world. To the east of the Andes mountains, rivers flow downward, originating from the peaks creating long narrow valleys.
Natural Resources and Agriculture
Bolivia's natural resources include tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, and hydro-power. Agricultural land makes up 34.3 percent, and 52.5 percent forest.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/3/6/113623721/published/45580001-2.jpg?1511244768)
Population
Bolivia has a multi-ethnic population of around 11 million people. Despite its low population density of 23 people per square mile, it is ranked 82nd in most populous countries, and 24th in terms of land area. Although it is not the capital, the largest city in Bolivia is Santa Cruz de la Sierre, with a population of 3.4 million people. Bolivia’s capital, Sucre has a population of around 300,000 people, and 2.3 million in La Paz, the countries hub of legislative branches and government.
Bolivia’s population consists of over three dozen native indigenous groups, making up 20 percent of the total population, and 44 percent of the total population identifying as part of an indigenous group.
Bolivia has a multi-ethnic population of around 11 million people. Despite its low population density of 23 people per square mile, it is ranked 82nd in most populous countries, and 24th in terms of land area. Although it is not the capital, the largest city in Bolivia is Santa Cruz de la Sierre, with a population of 3.4 million people. Bolivia’s capital, Sucre has a population of around 300,000 people, and 2.3 million in La Paz, the countries hub of legislative branches and government.
Bolivia’s population consists of over three dozen native indigenous groups, making up 20 percent of the total population, and 44 percent of the total population identifying as part of an indigenous group.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/3/6/113623721/published/78770047.jpg?250)
Bolivia's population consists of 68 percent Mestizo, which is a mix of Spanish and native Indigenous people, predominantly Quechua or Aymara. According to The World Fact Book, the other ethnic groups include 5 percent White, 2 percent Cholo/Chola, 1 percent Black, and other/ unspecified at 4 percent.
Languages
Many languages are spoken in Bolivia. Spanish, 60.7 percent, Quechua, 21.2 percent, Aymara 14.6 percent, and Guarani 0.6 percent are the official languages of Bolivia. Others include 2.4 percent foreign languages, and 0.4 percent other native languages.
Religion
The majority of the Bolivian population is Roman Catholic, making up 78.6 percent, followed by Evangelical and Pentecostal making up 8.1 percent, Protestant 7.9 percent, other 1.7 percent, and none 5.5 percent.
Languages
Many languages are spoken in Bolivia. Spanish, 60.7 percent, Quechua, 21.2 percent, Aymara 14.6 percent, and Guarani 0.6 percent are the official languages of Bolivia. Others include 2.4 percent foreign languages, and 0.4 percent other native languages.
Religion
The majority of the Bolivian population is Roman Catholic, making up 78.6 percent, followed by Evangelical and Pentecostal making up 8.1 percent, Protestant 7.9 percent, other 1.7 percent, and none 5.5 percent.
History and Politics
Bolivia became independent of Spanish rule in 1825, and was then named after an independence fighter, Simon Bolivar. A democracy was established in 1982, but the country has suffered great poverty, drug problems, and social unrest since then.
Most of Bolivia’s history involves many wars and coups. These countries include Spain, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Cuba. In 2005 Bolivia became a socialist nation with Evo Morales as their elected president. Evo Morales is the countries first indigenous president and has been reelected in 2009 and again in 2014.
Bolivia became independent of Spanish rule in 1825, and was then named after an independence fighter, Simon Bolivar. A democracy was established in 1982, but the country has suffered great poverty, drug problems, and social unrest since then.
Most of Bolivia’s history involves many wars and coups. These countries include Spain, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Cuba. In 2005 Bolivia became a socialist nation with Evo Morales as their elected president. Evo Morales is the countries first indigenous president and has been reelected in 2009 and again in 2014.
John Green's crash course of Latin America
This is a short history lesson of Latin America's revolutions and politics by John Green, a well known author of many novels as well as a co creator of the video blog Crash Course.
|
Brief History of BoliviaThis video depicts the history of Bolivia through imagery, and short clips describing its geography, culture, agriculture, and how Bolivia became an independent nation.
|