BOLIVIA

General Information

Geographic Location: Situated in the center of South America, Bolivia's longitude is between 57º26' and 69º38' west of the Greenwich Meridian and southern latitude between 9º38' and 22º53'. Bolivia shares its borders with five countries: to the north and east, Brazil; to the south, Argentina; to the west, Peru; to the southeast, Paraguay; and to the southwest, Chile.

Geographic Zones: Bolivia is divided into three dominant geographic zones: 1) "La zona andina," or the Andean zone ,2) "La zona subandina," or the Sub-Andean zone, 3) "La zona de los llanos," or the Plains.

The Andean zone accounts for 28% of the Bolivian territory, estimated at 307,000km2 . Within the Andean Zone, the regions are classified as "la Cordillera Occidental," or the Western Range, which is also sometimes referred to as "la Cordillera Volcánica," or the Volcanic Range; "la Cordillera Oriental," or the Eastern Range; and "la Meseta Altiplánica," or the High Plateau, most commonly known as the "Altiplano." The Andean Zone contains the "departments," (states or provinces) of La Paz, Oruro, and Potosí. This is also the coldest area of the country, where temperatures have reached 25º C below zero (-77oF). The average high is 17º C (63oF ).

The Sub-Andean zone has a moderate climate, with fertile valleys, and average annual temperatures ranging from 16º C to 20º C (60º to 68º F). The Sub-Andean zone contains the "departments" of Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Tarija, and part of the department of Santa Cruz.

At the northeastern flank of the "Cordillera Oriental" (Eastern Range), also known as the "Cordillera Real" (Royal Range) opens the tropical plains that cover 75% of the national territory and have an average annual temperature between 22º and 25ºC ( 72º and 75º F). In the "departments" of La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and, a more towards the north in the departments of Beni and Pando, we find the last foothills of the Andes.

History: According to recent research, the first civilizations of the Bolivian Altiplano began around 2000 BCE, the most important of the Pre-European civilizations being the Wankarani, Chiripa, and Tihuanaku. Later appeared the Ayamaras and Collas, who were dominated by the powerful Incas until the Spanish arrived. We see that in the annals of the Americas and the world, Bolivia today displays an impressive array of historical and cultural traditions.

The Spanish explorers Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro (also known as "conquistadores," or conquerers) began the conquest of Kollao in 1535. Ten years later, in 1545, they discovered the rich silver deposits in the hills of Rico de Potosí. The Spanish occupation of Alto Perú, as it was then known (Bolivia today), lasted three centuries.

1809 heard one of the first cries of independence in South America in the Real Audience of Charcas (Sucre today), but it took another 15 years for the rebellion to achieve actual Bolivian independence, which was finally declared 6 August 1825.

The 1952 revolution restructured the state, nationalizing the mines and initiating agricultural reforms.Since 1982, Bolivia has followed a democratic process that secures the rights of citizens and provides the necessary guarantees for private national and international investment, insuring a stable economy.

Political-Administrative Organization: Bolivia is a unitary, representative, and bicameral republic. There are three branches of government: Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch is comprised of la Cámara de Senadores ( the Senate) and la Cámera de Diputados (Congress). For both the Executive and Legislative Branches elections are held every five years. Municipal elections are also held every five years, but do not coincide with those of the federal government. The actual democratic process has undergone important constitutional modifications, including reforms to the Political Constitution of the State.