Bolivia is the only landlocked Andean country; it is called the Tibet of the Americas, the highest and most isolated country of Latin America, its geographical and climatic zones range from snowcapped Andean peaks to vast, low-lying savannas and jungles. It has a largely indigenous Indian population that has preserved its native languages and much of its traditional way of life. It borders Peru and Chile in the west, Brazil in the east, and Paraguay and Argentina in the south.
The western part, enclosed by two chains of the Andes, is a great plateau-the Altiplano, with an average altitude of 12,000 ft (3,658 m). Almost half the population lives on the plateau, which contains Oruro, Potosí, and La Paz. At an altitude of 11,910 ft (3,630 m), La Paz is the highest administrative capital city in the world. The Oriente, a lowland region ranging from rain forests to grasslands, comprises the northern and eastern two-thirds of the country. The country combines awe-inspiring land scapes, colonial treasures, colorful indigenous cultures and remnants of mysterious ancient civilizations.
Location: Bolivia is situated at the heart of South America between latitude 9° 38' and 22 ° 53' South and between meridians 57° 25' and 69° 38' of longitude West of Greenwich. It borders with Brazil to the North and East, with Peru and Chile to the West, and Argentina and Paraguay to the South.
Although Bolivia lies entirely within tropical latitudes, climatic conditions vary widely from tropical in the lowlands to polar in the highest parts of the Andes. However it is common for Bolivians to refer only to two seasons (the rainy season and dry season). Changes in temperature and weather are typically brusque. Temperatures depend primarily on elevation.
Pando, Beni, Santa Cruz and northern Tarija the climate is usually hot, humid and often rainy between late August and May. December and January are the hottest months of the year. Summer days are humid and sticky. Nights are warm.
Even in the humid forest regions of the north, frosts are not unheard of during surazos, a cold wind blowing from Patagonia and the Argentine pampas. These southern winds cause sudden temperature drops of anywhere from 10-40ºF overnight. These are often accompanied by rain, making for very chilly weather. The region called Yungas, or the jungles, located to the North of La Paz is hot and humid. It is the cloudiest, rainiest and most humid region of Bolivia. In this region the climate and local weather are similar to that of the eastern lowlands of Santa Cruz.
At altitudes higher than 2000 meters above sea level it sometimes snows and at 4600 meters the mountains are permanently capped by snow. Above 5500 meters the climate is similar to that of Polar Regions. Cochabamba, Chuquisaca and western Tarija - are temperate to cool. Temperatures are pleasant during the day, varying between 60-80ºF but it can get very cold at night, dropping to 30-40ºF. This region, although high averaging 1200-1500 meters above sea level, is also humid.
Bolivia's valleys are very fertile and covered in dense forest. The rainy season is long and sustained. It is always a good idea to dress in layers in this region as the climate changes quickly. During the day one can feel quite warm, but by the late afternoon a sweater or jacket are often necessary.
Departments:
Bolivia has nine departments: La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Potosí, Oruro, Tarija, Beni and Pando. Sixty percent of the population in Bolivia resides in urban centers. Approximately 46% of the population is concentrated in the capital cities of each department. The migration trend is toward further urbanization, as the population in the main cities is growing at a rate of 4.16% annually versus an overall population growth rate of 2.4%.
The country has a total surface area of 1,098,581 sq. kilometers, or 428,446 sq. miles.
Population: Since 1950 the Bolivian population has more than doubled. As of 1995, the population of Bolivia totaled 7.4 million and has grown at a rate of 2.4 percent annually since 1991. The current population of the country is 8,043,499, with roughly 62.5% located in urban zones and 37.5% in rural areas.
Money: The Bolivian currency is the Boliviano, and its symbol is Bs. Bills come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 bolivianos; in coins of 1, 2 and 5 bolivianos, and in 10, 20, and 50 bolivian cents.
There are banks and exchange booths within the airport where you can exchange your currency for bolivianos. Remember, when you receive your exchanged money, make sure that the transaction was done correctly.
The dollar is welcome within Bolivia, but you should be careful with the variations of the dollar value throughout the country.
When you receive cash, dollars or bolivianos, be sure that the bills you have are in a good condition, in their entirety, and without any writing on them. Also be careful with counterfeit money that could be circulating within Bolivia.
Automatic Teller Machines (ATM): You can find them in Bolivia's main cities.
Credit cards : The most widely accepted ones in Bolivia are American Express, Visa, and Master Card.
Money exchange: Foreign currencies, in cash and travelers checks, can be exchanged in banks, "casas de cambio" (exchange booths or stores) and hotels.
The majority of transactions that take place are with American dollars, although in some places transactions are also done with less common foreign currency.
Health: Vaccinations: It is advisable before traveling to Bolivia that you get vaccinated for Yellow Fever, Typhoid Fever, polio, and malaria in certain regions. There are medical services available in each city of each region.
- It is preferable to drink only bottled or boiled water in Bolivia.
- Food: Avoid eating food sold on the street. You should also ensure that the shellfish and seafood is fresh and try to eat them cooked.
-Bolivian food is varied and exquisite, and the best and safest food is found in restaurants.
-Tourists coming from countries in those that cases of yellow fever have been reported, should present a vaccination certificate to enter Bolivia. That is the only immunization document that is requested, but, you, for caution, should consult with your doctor and, if find it necessary, be vaccinated against the hepatitis A, the cholera or the tetanus.
-The illness that more frequently affects to the travelers is the light diarrhea. To slip away of this annoying malaise, you can take some precautions:
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Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid consuming it directly of the faucet. Do not eat raw vegetables or milky products, as cheese, yogurt and milk, ice or ice creams of doubtful origin, because they could be made with faucet water.
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Wash your hands before ingesting your foods.
In the event of being victim of this illness, it is recommended to drink many liquids with re-hydrating salts and to rest. If consider it necessary, go to the nearest medical center.
Another recurrent illness in the cities of the highland, is the called soroche or altitude sickness, that is usually accompanied with headaches, nauseas and a decrease of the arterial pressure. Although there is not an completely effective way to avoid it, the visitor should follow these advices:In the event of being victim of this illness, it is recommended to drink many liquids with re-hydrating salts and to rest. If consider it necessary, go to the nearest medical center.
Another recurrent illness in the cities of the highland, is the called soroche or altitude sickness, that is usually accompanied with headaches, nauseas and a decrease of the arterial pressure. Although there is not an completely effective way to avoid it, the visitor should follow these advices:
- During the first 24 hours, don't carry out long walks or carry heavy suitcases or backpacks.
- Try not to get tired too much in the first day. Rest and avoid heavy foods and alcohol, because the digestion process is longer in the cities of height.
Medical insurance : It is recommendable -before undertaking your trip through Bolivian lands- to hire a medical insurance in your origin country. This way you will be protected in case any emergency occurred
Language: Spanish is the main and official language of Bolivia. However there are some 39 other living languages used in the country spoken by people in different regions. Examples include Aymara, Chiquitano, Chiriguano and Guaraní. Some 50% of the populations have an indigenous language as their mother tongue.
Bolivian Spanish as a result of mixing with its indigenous rivals differs from region to region. The vocabulary and pronunciation differs according to where in Bolivia you are, i.e. highlands (Altiplano and valleys) or the lowlands (Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando). Facts
Visa All travelers should contact the nearest Bolivian consulate in order to ascertain what visa rules apply, since these may change without previous notice. Tourist VISA for USA citizens
Procedures Fill the Application Form. The application form can be obtained at the Bolivian Consular Offices applicants need to attach to the application form the following documents:
If Passport is lost, the Visa stamp is cancelled and the tourist needs to start the process again. Procedures at airports and borders The US citizens can obtain their VISA upon arrival at the airport and border points.
Tourist attractions:
Colorada Lagoon (Red Lagoon). Its area is 60 km2, and it is at 4,278 meters above sea level. It is characterized by the red tone of its waters. Verde Lagoon(Green Lagoon). Its water surface has the appearance of a giant emerald. From here one can see the impressive beauty of Licancahur Volcano, at 5,865 meters above sea level.
The Uyuni Salt Panis located on the Bolivian high plateau at altitudes of over 3,600 meters above sea level. This salt pan is considered a source of national pride in Bolivia. It constitutes a major reserve of lithium, potassium, boron and magnesium. Isla del Sol: Inca's sacred rock, worshipped as the birthplace of the first Incas.
Lake Titicaca: the highest navigable lake in the world, at 3.856 meters above sea level. Tiahuanaco:Is the site of the ruins of an ancient culture of the same name.
Samaipata: Mysterious and undecipherable, the carved rock of Samaipata keeps its secrets to the investigators and studious. The ancient inhabitants of the Bolivian Orient carved animals and parallel grooves that point to the sky on its surface.
The Jesuit missions:The Chiquitania receives its name from the native inhabitants of this area, the chiquitos or chiquitanos. In this place Jesuit reductions were settled in the second half of the XVII century (from 1691 until 1760). They remain in time as an extraordinary legacy because they are the only Jesuit missions in South America which were not destroyed after the Jesuits were expulsed from the Spanish colonies. They are not ruins but villages full of life, with people who still go to mass in the same majestic churches or to enjoy the same baroque music concerts, in the same way they used to do when the Jesuit ruled these missions three centuries ago.
SANTA CRUZ
The Department of Santa Cruz, , is the largest in Bolivia, with an extension of 370,621 Km2 (which represents 34% of Bolivia´s territory. Currently its population reaches approximately 2.033.739. it is located in the kid-eastern part of Bolivia at an altitude of 416 meters above sea level.
The main streets of the city are structurally organized in circles of concentric rings, which are crossed by avenues that are laid on the radians directed towards the centre or "old city", where the main square is located.
Although it has enjoyed an economic boom lately, Bolivia's largest city still retains an attractive frontier feel, with palm trees, beautiful colonial buildings, open markets and friendly people. Time away from your project can be spent exploring Santa Cruz's many museums, cathedrals and spots for picnics and swimming. Weekends are great for exploring nearby rain forests and 18th-century Jesuit missions.
National parks:
. Amboró:With an extension of over 630 thousand hectares, it concentrates the Andean, chaqueño and Amazon ecosystems in the same area. Holds 7 different life zones shelters 850 bird species.
. El Pantanal:Bolivian Pantanal covers an area of over 165.000 Km2. It is one of the most important wealth of fauna and flora.
. Noel Kempff Mercado: This is an influx point of complex ecosystems. It is estimated that during the next 30 years it will produce 15 million metric tons of carbon, with resulting benefits for the planet in avoiding the greenhouse effect.
. Acualand-water attractions park . you can enjoy the only water attractions park in Bolivia, featuring rides that provide intense emotion for fun and recreation.
. Rio Pirai huts: huts built with Motacú palm leaves, where a variety of regional food and delicacies are served. You can also refresh yourself on the riverside.
. Reserva Natural Arubai : Ecological paths destined to the preservation of flora and fauna, i.e. over 200 species of orchids.
. Espejillos . waterfalls
. Lomas de arena:the only sand dunes in Bolivia
. Ruinas del Fuerte de Samaipata:Denominated as cultural patrimony of humanity by UNESCO in 1991 there is an archaeological museum exhibit of pieces from the ruins of the samaipata fortress and clothing of the region.
. Vallegrande: 244Km from the city. They have an archaeological museum exhibit of ceramic and wood pieces as well as colourful textiles.
