Bolivia is home to some of South America’s most remarkable natural marvels, from Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid’s famed gunfight to its world’s largest salt flat and everything in between. Additionally, its culture boasts some captivating events such as Cholita Wrestling (women fighting each other while wearing puffy skirts).
Peru shares control of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, while Bolivia stands out as being one of Latin America’s most populous nations.
1. It’s the highest capital city in the world
Bolivia, located in South American Andes, shares borders with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. A country of extreme contrasts, it features Mount Aconcagua as the highest peak; Lago Titicaca as the world’s highest navigable lake; and Salar de Uyuni as its largest salt flat – as well as numerous indigenous cultures and an economy featuring both private freedom and government regulation – making Evo Morales president since 2006.
Sucre is officially the capital of Bolivia, while La Paz serves as its working capital and seat of government. La Paz’s Congress building clock is notorious for running backwards; nevertheless, La Paz does not hold the distinction of being the world’s highest capital city; that distinction goes to El Alto instead.
Bolivia’s population consists of an overwhelming majority of indigenous people, and boasts more than 30 distinct indigenous cultures. While Spanish is the official language spoken, 36 indigenous languages have also been recognized by government. Notable sites in Bolivia include Tiwanaku, Samaipata, Incallajta and Iskanwaya Inca ruins as well as pre-Columbian gold and silver ornaments, ceramics and stone monuments that date back centuries ago.
Bolivia is one of the world’s most varied countries. From climate, landscapes and flora to culture and tradition – Bolivia will leave you breathless!
Bolivians honor nature as Pachamama (Mother Earth) with reverence and gratitude, viewing its treasures as blessings that must be preserved and honored. In 2010, Bolivia granted nature equal rights in law; during celebrations in cities dried llama foetuses may be sold on streets to give to Pachamama as thanks for her abundance. Furthermore, indigenous Bolivian people often use pre-Columbian and Christian symbols for spiritual ceremonies as offerings to Pachamama; its flag displays this rich cultural legacy with its red, yellow, green colors and coat of arms centered at its center – something only Bolivians truly understand.
2. It’s the highest lake in the world
Bolivia and Peru share (half) of Lake Titicaca – which stands at an altitude of 3,800 meters (12,385 ft), making it the highest navigable lake on Earth and one of South America’s largest bodies of water.
Lake Atitlan is surrounded by two mountain ranges that provide visitors with an extraordinary high-altitude experience and some of the finest hiking in the United States. Additionally, this region is home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites – such as pre-Columbian Sucre and Sacred Valley of Incas.
Bolivia boasts numerous mountains over 6000m, some of which can be challenging to scale but offer breathtaking vistas from their summit. Perhaps one of the toughest, yet rewarding climbs would be Nevado Sajama; situated near Chilean borders but manageable within three days from La Paz.
At 12,000 feet (4,300 m), Bolivia’s capital La Paz stands as the highest city on Earth. Surrounded by breathtaking Andean vistas and boasting an enticing mix of traditional and contemporary influences, La Paz boasts incredible museums and churches for discovering its history as well as world’s highest urban cable car ride or visiting Witches Market to gain more insight.
Bolivia’s diverse landscapes provide home for an abundance of wildlife species, ranging from Andean condors and three-toed sloths to majestic three-toed sloths. Madidi National Park stands out as an area rich with biodiversity; any nature lover should make time to visit.
Bolivia remains one of the few nations worldwide which uses the guarani as its official currency, as well as being the sole location where ametrine, an extremely rare purple-yellow gemstone mined and collected by hand can be mined – becoming an extremely sought-after souvenir among travelers to Bolivia. Furthermore, dried llama foetuses sold at markets are often purchased by locals to offer up as gifts to Mother Nature in return for blessings and good fortune.
3. It’s the highest salt flat in the world
Bolivia is home to many remarkable things, but few realize that its highest salt flat resides there: Salar de Uyuni is an incredible sight at over 3,650m above sea level, featuring an eerily mirror-like surface up to 50 feet deep with 10 billion tons of salt accumulated here and stored in conical mounds ready for exportation.
Bolivia is also an important mining center with more than 1,400 active mines, while Potosi’s silver and gold mining town ruins make a fascinating attraction – named for Simon Bolivar who freed Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador from Spanish rule in the late 1800s.
Bolivia boasts over 30 official languages, such as Aymara and Quechua spoken by its indigenous population. As an indicator of this country’s rich cultural diversity, its flag contains red, yellow and green stripes which symbolize bravery, wealth and fertility – symbols which appear horizontally across its flag’s stripes.
Bolivia is home to an abundance of languages as well as exotic wildlife and plants, such as Llamas. Additionally, Jaguars, Andean Condors, Caimans, Sloths and Piranhas may also be found within its borders. Bolivia also boasts an active Amazon region which is rich with wildlife.
Bolivia may be one of the least-visited South American countries, yet there’s plenty to love here that makes the journey worth your while. Bolivia boasts a fascinating history and breathtaking beauty–its high mountains and Andean lakes of Lake Titicaca on one hand and dense rainforests of Madidi National Park on the other create a natural paradise unlike anywhere else on Earth.
If you’re planning a visit to Bolivia, here are 15 fun facts that should provide a better idea of what awaits. From prisons and witches’ markets to stunning architecture and beautiful natural areas – there is much more than meets the eye in this stunning country! Don’t forget our Bolivia travel guide for additional tips and details!
4. It’s the world’s driest country
Bolivia boasts an incredibly vibrant culture with over 30 official languages spoken. Renowned for its varied wildlife and stunning landscapes, this South American nation makes for an intriguing travel destination – but its fascinating history and traditions make it all the more captivating! Read on to uncover some fascinating Bolivia facts which are sure to enthrall and inform! From prison crookedness to indigenous wrestling traditions – these quirky Bolivia facts will show this Andean nation in an entirely new light!
Bolivia’s Tropical Lowlands are distinguished by their lush rainforest ecosystem and warm year-round temperatures, making them a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to an array of plants and animals, such as endangered ones such as Amazonian jaguars. Rainfall typically increases considerably between December and March with torrential downpours common and flooding occurring occasionally across various areas.
Temperatures tend to be cooler in the mountains of the Andes and at high altitude cities like La Paz; however, in the Amazon Basin it can get very warm indeed. Furthermore, Bolivia boasts South America’s deepest lake (Lake Titicaca), as well as an enchanting salt flat known as Salar de Uyuni.
Bolivia has produced some notable individuals, such as tennis player Maria Fernanda Alvarez, runner Geovana Irusta and footballer Marco Antonio Etcheverry. Additionally, its famed scientists include Noel Kempff Mercado and Jose Steinbach as well as Reynaldo Pacheco and Raquel Welch who hail from Bolivia.
Bolivia’s government is a constitutional republic with balanced executive, legislative and judicial powers. Historically, however, the strong executive branch has outweighed Congress; however revisions made to their constitution in 1994 may bring about necessary reforms that can help correct this imbalance.
Francisco Fuentes was an acclaimed Bolivian poet born in Cochabamba who is revered as one of the leading Latin American authors. His works explore Andean culture – specifically Aymara mythology – history and geography of his region as well as being popular representative for “literatura de nios”, with books translated into over 50 different languages.