Bolivia is the country at the center of South America. It lacks a seacoast and has great natural barriers to transportation. In western Bolivia, the majestic, snow-capped Andes Mountains surround a high, dry plateau. Vast lowland plain spreads over the north and east. Tropical rain forests thrive in the northern part of the plain, and grasslands and swamps sprawl across much of the east. Largely hilly country lies between the Andes Mountains and the lowland plain.

Most Bolivians are of Indian or of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry. About half the countries farm for a living. Most Bolivians are desperately poor, and many adults cannot read and write.

Bolivia has two capitals. Sucre, where the Supreme Court meets, is the official capital. However, most government offices are in La Paz, the actual capital and Bolivia’s largest city.

During the 1500’s, Spain conquered the Indians. The Spanish ruled the region until 1825, when Bolivia won its independence. The new Country was named after Simon Bolivar. Bolivar, a Venezuelan general, helped Bolivia and several other South American countries win their freedom from Spain.

Government

Bolivia has had 16 constitutions since it became independent in 1825. Most of these have called for a freely elected government; however, dictators have often ruled the country.

Bolivia’s present constitution dates from 1967. Under it, the people elect a president and the members of the national legislature, called Congress, to four-year term. The Supreme Court is Bolivia’s highest court. Congress appoints the court’s justices.

Full country name: Republic of Bolivia
Area: 1,098,580 sq km (428,446 sq mi)
Population: 8,328,700
Capital city: La Paz (pop 2,406,377) and Sucre (pop 132,000)
People: 30% Quechua Indian, 25% mestizo, 30% Aymará Indian, approx 15% European (principally Spanish)
Language: Spanish but most Indians speak either Quechua or Aymará; composite dialects of Spanish-Aymará and Spanish-Quechua are also widely spoken
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist)
Government: Democracy
President: Evo Morales

Visas:

 Regulations change frequently, but currently citizens of most EU countries can stay 90 days without a visa; citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and Israel can stay 30 days without a visa. Most other nationalities require a visa in advance - usually issued for a 30-day stay.

Health risks:

 Altitude sickness, Chagas disease, cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, polio, rabies, tetanus, typhoid, yellow-fever
Time: GMT/UTC minus 4 hours
Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz (except in La Paz which has 110V & 220V, 50 Hz)
Weights & measures: Metric

Fesitvals

Bolivian fiestas are invariably of religious or political origin, normally commemorating a Christian or Indian saint or god, or a political event such as a battle or revolution. Major fiestas include Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria, a week-long festival in the virgin's honor, best seen in Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca (early February); Carnival is a nationwide event but is best seen in Oruro (the week before Lent); Phujllay is held in Tarabuco to commemorate the Battle of Lumbati (early March); the animated Festividad de Nuestro Señor Jesús del Gran Poder is held in La Paz to celebrate the power of Jesus Christ (May-June); and Independence Day is a riotous nationwide party (6 August).

La Paz

La Paz, the highest capital city in the world, looks like a moon crater. The city is 4km (2mi) above sea level. Fortunately, the life and color of La Paz is found in its people and culture, not its landscape. Find a good vantage point and simply watch the passing throng: women wearing bowler hats (worn on the side if they're single and on top if they're married) and voluminous skirts; white-shirted businessmen and politicians.

People congregate around the splendid Iglesia de San Francisco (construction began in 1549) with its arresting blend of mestizo and Spanish styles. Behind the church is the Witches' Market where you can buy a bizarre assortment of goods including amulets, potions, delicately crafted silver jewelery, sweets and dried llama fetuses. La Paz also has a number of museums, including the Museo Costumbrista Juan de Vargas, which contains some superb dioramas of the city, and the Museo de Metales Preciosos Pre-Columbinos, which houses three impressively presented salons of pre-Conquest silver, gold and copper works. Standing guard over all this is Illimani (6460m/21,188ft), some 60km (37mi) to the east, which is arguably Bolovia's most famous peak.

For entertainment, there are folk-music shows, bars , several good discos and numerous cinemas. Because of the often chilly temperatures, warm clothing is essential throughout the year.

Around La Paz is the aptly named Valle de la Luna, which is an eroded hillside maze of miniature canyons and pinnacles 11km (7mi) east of the city; and the historical ceremonial center of Tiahuanaco, 70km (43mi) west of the city, which is Bolivia's most important archaeological site.

Lake Titicaca

Traditionally regarded as the highest navigable body of water in the world, Lake Titicaca is immense: its dimensions measure 233km (145mi) from northwest to southeast and 97km (60mi) from northeast to southwest. The lake has 36 islands and exceptionally clear sapphire-blue water. Titicaca is revered by the Indians who live on its shores, and the Islas del Sol and Islas de la Luna, two islands in the lake, are the legendary sites of the Inca's creation myths. The main town in the area is Copacabana, which has a sparkling white Moorish-style cathedral and is host to the Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria. Half of the lake lies within the borders of Peru; Puno is the principal settlement and main center for excursions on the Peruvian shore of the lake.