Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America with three official languages. It has a diverse geography and a population of over nine million people. The area has a rich history, including the Inca Empire and Spanish colonization. The country has struggled with political instability and corruption, but current efforts are being made to improve the economy and give more power to the indigenous majority. The largest indigenous groups are the Quechua and Aymara, and football is the national sport. The country’s culture is heavily influenced by its indigenous roots and other Latin American nations.
Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America, surrounded by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Home to more than nine million Bolivians as of 2007, the country has three official languages: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. Its largest city is Santa Cruz de la Sierra and it has two capitals: Sucre, its constitutional capital, and La Paz, its administrative capital.
History
The area has been inhabited for approximately 13,000 years. The Inca Empire developed here during the 1200s and grew to dominate much of the surrounding area. It continued to do so until the Spanish defeated them and colonized the area in 1533. During most of the Spanish colonial era, the area was called “Upper Peru” and was under the control of the Viceroy of Lima. The silver mines, run by slaves, were the main source of wealth for the Spanish empire.
Political history
In 1809, the Bolivian people declared their independence and, after 16 years of unrest, named their country after Simón Bolívar, a hero in the war for independence. Conditions remained unstable for many years largely due to infighting with neighboring countries. As a result, the nation has lost direct access to the ocean and over half of its territory during various wars. When the price of silver rose in the late 1800s, some economic and political stability returned.
A series of governments characterized by corruption and instability have controlled Bolivia since the 1800s. Juan Evo Morales Ayma, the president elected in 2005, has made efforts to stabilize the country. One effort includes a campaign to reduce the illegal coca trade, which is a major problem as Bolivia can supply up to 80 percent of the world’s cocaine when it’s at its production peak. Morales also plans to amend the constitution to give more power to the indigenous majority.
Presence on the territory
The geography of Bolivia is quite diverse, with the Andes Mountains and the Bolivian Plateau to the west, while part of the Amazon rainforest lies to the east.
Economy
Even though Bolivia is rich in natural resources, it has one of the poorest economies in South America due to a series of corrupt governments and the influence of foreign powers. However, economic reforms are now underway that could help remedy this situation.
Population
The largest indigenous groups are the Quechua, with about 2.5 million people, the Aymara, with about 2 million people, the Chiquitano, with about 180,000, and the Guarani, with about 125,000. About 56% of the population is Amerindian, about 30% are Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European ancestry), and about 15% are Caucasian. Most of the citizens are Roman Catholic, although Protestantism is increasing in popularity.
Culture
Bolivian culture has been heavily influenced by the Quechua, Aymara and folk cultures of other Latin American nations. Football is the national sport and is very popular. Bolivia is becoming more and more urbanized, so many people are starting to move away from traditional practices and therefore it is difficult to define a single national culture.
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