48 Facts About Bolivia

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country located in western-central South America. 

Bolivia has a total area of 1,098,581 square km. 

Sucre is its constitutional capital while La Paz is its seat of government.

Spanish is one of its official languages. 

Bolivia's official currency is Boliviano (BOB). 

Bolivia is bordered by Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Paraguay. One-third of the country is within the Andean mountain range.

Bolivia and Paraguay are the only two landlocked countries in South America. Bolivia is South America's highest and most isolated country.

Bolivia's official name was changed from "Republic of Bolivia" to "Plurinational State of Bolivia" in 2009.

During the Spanish occupation, Bolivia was known as Upper Peru.

More than 40% of the country's population speaks Spanish as their first language. Bolivia's official languages include Quechua and Aymara. Indigenous peoples speak their own languages in rural areas.

Indigenous people account for roughly two-thirds of the population.

Evo Morales, the former president of Bolivia, was the first member of the indigenous majority to be elected president.

In Bolivia, all men between the ages of 18 and 22 are required to serve in the military.

Bolivia has one of the world's largest butterfly sanctuaries, spanning 24 hectares.

The North Yungas Road, also known as the Road of Fate or the Death Road, is located in Bolivia. It is 56 kilometres long, and according to estimates, nearly 200-300 people died each year from falling off the road until recently, when the road was improved to reduce casualties. The road also has cross markings where vehicles have fallen in the past to alert passing motorists.

The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the world's largest salt flat, covering 10,582 square kilometres (4,086 square miles) and rising 3,656 metres above sea level.

The Salar de Uyuni is home to 50-70 percent of the world's lithium reserves.

Madidi National Park, at 18,958 square kilometres, is part of one of the world's largest protected areas. Researchers have documented at least 8,500 species so far, with an estimated total of 11,400. Species counts, on the other hand, are never definitive.

Tiwanaku, located in Bolivia, is one of the most intriguing archaeological sites in South America.

Bolivia also has Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,507 (3810 m) above sea level. It covers an area of 8,300 square kilometres. It's shared by Bolivia and Peru.

Another tourist attraction in Bolivia is the San Pedro prison. Unlike other prisons around the world, this one allows its inmates to live with their families, work, earn money, and even buy or rent housing.

A hotel in Bolivia, the Hotel Luna Salad, is constructed entirely of salt blocks, including the interior and furniture.

Cal Orko, an imposing limestone slab 1.5 km long and 80 metres high in Bolivia, has 5055 footprints from at least eight different dinosaur species. The marks date back 68 million years. They're also on a vertical wall.

Pink dolphins (Bolivian Bufeo) live in Bolivia's Amazon. It was designated as Bolivia's Natural Heritage.

In Bolivia, guinea pig is considered a delicacy. It is typically served whole, with the legs and head pointing upwards.

In rural Andean communities, the llama, the largest animal on the Altiplano, provides meat, wool, leather, tallow, and fuel (in the form of dried dung).

Bolivia was known as Upper Peru in the 18th century. It was named after the military and political leader Simon Bolivar.

On August 6, 1825, Bolivia declared independence from Spain.

Cerro Rico mining killed an estimated eight million Andean Indians (Rich Hill). The mine's highest point is 4,782 metres above sea level. Around 15,000 miners extract approximately 3,000 tonnes of minerals from it each day.

Bolivia abolished slavery in 1831.

Bolivia has 37 official languages (Spanish and 36 indigenous languages).

Bolivia accounts for 70% of all Brazil nut production worldwide. According to one source, nearly 25 million tonnes are exported each year, primarily to Brazil, the United States, and Europe.

Bolivia is home to La Paz, the world's highest administrative capital city. It is approximately 11,975 feet above sea level. It has only one airport and a population of 1.816 million people.

Bolivia (1,098,581 sq km) is the fifth-largest country in South America and the world's 27th largest.

Only about 11% of Bolivia's roads are paved.

Lake Poopo, Bolivia's second-largest lake, has dried up due to climate change. The Lake is located on the country's Andean plains, more than 12,000 feet above sea level.

Bolivia's mountainous western region is one of the world's highest inhabited areas.

Soccer is the most popular sport in Bolivia. It is also the country's national sport.

Bolivia's top exports include natural gas, silver, zinc, lead, tin, gold, quinoa, soybeans, and soy products. It imports machinery, petroleum, automobiles, iron and steel, and plastics. Bolivia has the second-largest natural gas reserves in South America.

Agriculture employs nearly half of Bolivia's workforce.

Bolivia is the poorest country in South America, trailing only Venezuela.

For children aged 5 to 18, schooling is free and compulsory.

The Quechua are Bolivia's largest culture, while the Aymara are the region's second largest.

Bolivians enjoy getting to know one another. Both scheduled and unscheduled visits are common. Bolivians exchange gifts on a variety of occasions.

Every day, Bolivian families eat one large and two small meals. Bolivians frequently say Buen provecho when entering a room where people are eating.

Rice, potatoes, milk products, soups, and fruits are common staples in the Bolivian diet. In Bolivia, hundreds of potato varieties are prepared in various ways.

In Bolivia, chicken is the most popular meat.

Radio is important, especially in rural areas, where there are hundreds of radio stations.