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Bolivia
Physical geography
Bolivia is situated in the centre of South America. It encompasses
424,194 square miles and has borders with Brazil to the north
and east, with Argentina to the south, and with Peru to the west.
On the southeast of Bolivia lies the border with Paraguay, while
to the southwest lies that with Chile.
Climate
Although all of Bolivia is located within the Tropic of Capricorn,
the country enjoys the full spectrum of existing climates. The
temperature is not only regulated by geographical location, but
also by the altitude above sea level; temperatures are lower
at higher altitudes and higher at lower altitudes.
Due to its proximity to the Equator, the four seasons are
not marked with much differentiation in contrast to other continents.
The variation of temperatures between winter and summer is less
than 10 degrees C.
Economic geography
Until 1986 the production of minerals such as tin, gold, silver,
zinc, lead and others constituted the economic basis of Bolivia.
However, the drop in prices in the international markets obligated
the state to close important mining companies for the purpose
of levelling its balance of payments. Currently, Bolivia's economy
thrives on minerals, livestock and agro-industrial riches.
Bolivia also has rich petroleum deposits and refineries which
meet the country's needs. It uses natural gas to generate energy,
which it sells to the Republic of Argentina, and it also has
agreements to export energy to Brazil and Chile. In the agricultural
sector, due to the distinctive topographic characteristics of
the country, there is an extensive range of different products
from the tropical regions, the valleys and the high mountains.
Currently, tourism is one of the principal sources of income,
surpassing traditional exportation.
History
According to carbon-dated research, the first civilisations
of the Bolivian Altiplano developed around the year 2000 BC.
Among the most important were the Wankarani, the Chiria and the
Tiwanaku, the latter being one of the principal cultures among
the great Pre-Colombian civilisations. Later came the Aymaras
and the Collas, who were dominated by the powerful Inca civilisation
until the arrival of the Spaniards.
In 1535, the Spanish 'conquistadores' Pizarro and Almagro
initiated the conquest of the Collao, and ten years later the
silver deposits of Potosi were discovered. Spanish domination
lasted for three centuries in Upper Peru (presently Bolivia).
In 1809, rebellions were initiated that were to last for fifteen
years before Bolivian independence was finally achieved.
The Bolivian state was officially declared indepedent on August
6 1825 in the city of La Plata, presently Sucre, and was named
in honour of the liberator Simon Bolivar. The name Bolivar was
later changed to Bolivia at the suggestion of the liberator Jose
Antonio de Sucre, who divided the Republic into departments.
Between 1879 and 1884 the War of the Pacific between Bolivia
and Chile took place, resulting in the disastrous loss to Bolivia
of its maritime littoral, leaving the country landlocked. Later
conflicts with neighbours included the Acre conflict with Brazil
in 1900-3 and the Chaco War with Paraguay from 1932-5.
Several revolutions followed the Chaco War, culminating in
the 1952 revolution that ensured Victor Paz Estenssoro his presidency.
The mines were then nationalised, with big political and social
changes including a major program of agrarian reform.
Languages spoken by nationals
The official language is Spanish, but Aymara and Quechua are
also recognised as such. There are also various ethnic groups,
each with their own dialect, particularly in Beni, Pando, Santa
Cruz and Tarija.
Time
The official time in relation to Greenwich Meridian is four
hours earlier (GMT -4).
Currency
The Boliviano (Bs1=100 centavos) comes in denominations of
5, 10 20, 50, 100 and 200. Coins come as 10, 20 or 50 centavos.
What one should not fail to see
The vast salt lakes near Uyuni are a 12 hour journey from
the capital La Paz and are well worth the trek. Organised tours
leave most days to take you into previously unimagined territory
with geysers, boiling mud pools, red and green lakes that change
colour to a backdrop of huge, smoking volcanos, all at an altitude
of 6000 feet.
Potosi, home to the famous silver mines, lies in the northern
region, and is the highest altitude for a city of its size in
the world. Dropping into the depths of these mines and stumbling
along tiny, dark passages with a severe shortage of oxygen is
not your average holiday activity, but is well worth the effort.
12 hours in the opposite direction will lead you to the tropical
regions, such as Rurrenabaque where trips into the Amazon are
possible: rafting, trekking and a chance to see wildlife, such
as macaw parrots and monkeys in their natural Amazonian habitat.
The most popular treks begin in the city, La Paz, traverse
the Cordillera Real on ancient Inca routes and end in the Yungas.
The three day La Cumbre to Coroico trek is one of the most popular
and accessible, in terms of distance from La Paz.
Most favourable seasons for sojourns and touring
There is no particular season to visit Bolivia. This vast
country is made up of many different regions, each individually
regulated by their own geographical location. However, the variation
of temperatures between winter and summer is less than 10 degrees
C. The wet season mainly falls between November and March, with
the Amazonian regions experiencing a predominantly wet climate
the whole year round.
How to dress
Warm clothing in the altiplano region, light clothing for
the tropical plains with light clothing by day and warmer at
night for the Yungas.
Main holiday sports
Swimming, hiking and rafting.
What to eat and drink
Rice is popular with a vast array of tropical vegetables and
fruit available. A wider variety of food is available in the
bigger cities.
What to buy
The number of traditional craftmanship markets which offer
handcrafts from diverse regions of the country are remarkable.
One can find items such as silverware, traditional handmade weavings,
carvings in wood and stone, ceramics, tooled leather, musical
instruments and a wide range of souvenir handicrafts.
Frontier formalities
Upon entering the country, your passport must be valid for
at least one year. Tourist visas are granted for 30 days upon
entry, and for 90 days with particular countries. However, some
countries need to prearrange their visa - please check before
setting off. |
