Bolivia

I

Introduction

Bolivia, officially Republic of Bolivia, republic in central South America, bounded on the north and east by Brazil, on the south-east by Paraguay, on the south by Argentina, and on the west by Chile and Peru. Bolivia and Paraguay are the only landlocked countries in South America. In a north-south direction, the maximum length of Bolivia is about 1,530 km (950 mi); its extreme breadth, in an east-west direction, is about 1,450 km (900 mi). Its area is 1,098,581 sq km (424,164 sq mi), making it the fifth-largest (after Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia) South American country. The constitutional capital is Sucre; the administrative capital and seat of government is La Paz.

II

Land and Resources

The principal physical feature of Bolivia is the Andes, the mountain chain that extends generally north-south across the western part of the country. On the west, near the border with Chile, is the Cordillera Occidental, or western range, and on the north-east is the Cordillera Real, the main range of the Andes. The Cordillera Real contains some of the highest Andean peaks, notably Ancohuma (6,550 m/21,489 ft) and Illampu (6,485 m/21,276 ft).

Bolivia is divided into three distinct regions: the Altiplano, or plateau region; the yungas, a series of forested and well-watered valleys embracing the eastern mountain slopes and valleys; and the llanos, or the Amazon-Chaco lowlands. The Bolivian Altiplano is about 800 km (500 mi) long and about 130 km (80 mi) wide and lies between the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Real. The northern part, where the bulk of the population and industry of Bolivia is found, contains, at its end, Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest large, navigable lake. The southern part of the plateau is arid. The eastern slopes of the Andes contain the lowland valleys known as yungas.

Stretching east and north-east from the mountains are the great Amazonian plains (llanos) containing large grassy tracts and, along the rivers, dense tropical forests. Much of this region becomes swampland during the wet season (December to February); large areas, however, lie above the flood line and are rich grazing lands. In the south-east, separated from the Amazonian plains by the Chiquitos highlands (about 1,070 m/3,500 ft), are the dry, semi-tropical plains of the Chaco (see Gran Chaco).

A

Rivers and Lakes

The northern and north-eastern valleys and plains are drained by the Beni River and its main tributary, the Madre de Diós; the Guaporé River, which forms part of the boundary with Brazil; and the Mamoré River. The Pilcomayo River, the chief river of south-eastern Bolivia, flows through the Chaco into the Paraguay River, thus eventually draining into the River Plate. The Desaguadero River, outlet for Lake Titicaca, feeds Lake Poopó to the south-east. Many of Bolivia’s rivers have also been seriously polluted with fertilizers, pesticides, and chemical waste.

B

Climate

Although situated entirely within the tropics, Bolivia’s varied elevation means it has a wide climatic range. At higher altitudes the climate is cold and dry but generally healthful, in spite of the cutting winds, the thinness of the atmosphere, and the daily extremes of temperature. In lower-lying regions the climate is warmer. Mean annual temperatures range from about 8.3° C (47° F) in the Altiplano to about 26.1° C (79° F) in the eastern lowlands.