Bolivia
Wikipedia - Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. Bolivia is a democratic republic that is divided into nine departments. Its geography is varied from the peaks of the Andes in the West, to the Eastern Lowlands, situated within the Amazon Basin. The Bolivian population, estimated at 10 million, is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Mestizos, Europeans, Asians and Africans. The main language spoken is Spanish, although the Guarani, Aymara and Quechua languages are also common and all three, as well as 34 other indigenous languages, are official. The large number of different cultures within Bolivia has contributed greatly to a wide diversity in fields such as art, cuisine, literature, and music.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW TO DISCOVER SOME OF THE BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN BOLIVIA
Teresa the Traveler's Bolivia Travel Tips1. The buses are not usually on time and if it's the rainy season they may take even longer to get to their destination due to muddy roads. Bolivia is the poorest country in South America and many of the roads are not paved. Give yourself lot's of time to get from one destination to another.
2. Many places take cash only and bank machines are not always easy to find in the smaller towns. Be sure to carry some backup US cash on you for emergencies.
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Top Ten Crazy Bolivian Facts...
1. The world’s largest dinosaur footprints are found near the Bolivian city of Sucre. Declared a UNESCO site, there are over 5000 tracks made by up to 150 dinosaurs estimated to be nearly 70-million years old with the largest prints measuring over three feet in length.
2. It is believed that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were killed in a shootout with the Bolivian army in San Vicente after robbing the payroll of a mining
company in Tupiza. Buried in the small San Vicente cemetery are the bodies of what some believe are the two bandits however, DNA tests done in 1991 by a team of scientists did not match that of their living relatives.
3. Lake Titicaca, on the boarder of Bolivia and Peru, is the highest navigable lake in the world.
4. The world’s largest deposit of lithium, used to manufacture batteries, is located underneath the salt flats but mining it would destroy Bolivia’s number one
tourist attraction the Salar de Uyuni.
5. The Cerro Mutun located near Santa Cruz is the world’s largest iron ore mine. It is run by Jindel, a company based in India.
6. The world’s largest butterfly sanctuary is located in Santa Cruz.
7. Bolivia is home to the worlds only known Boliviana mine – a yellow and purple precious stone produces when citrine and ametrine combine.
8. Potosi is the highest city in the world and La Paz is the second highest.
9. From 1557 to 1985, the mining industry dominated the Bolivian economy.
10. The women wrap everything from groceries to children inside brightly colored blankets and carry them on their backs.
2. It is believed that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were killed in a shootout with the Bolivian army in San Vicente after robbing the payroll of a mining
company in Tupiza. Buried in the small San Vicente cemetery are the bodies of what some believe are the two bandits however, DNA tests done in 1991 by a team of scientists did not match that of their living relatives.
3. Lake Titicaca, on the boarder of Bolivia and Peru, is the highest navigable lake in the world.
4. The world’s largest deposit of lithium, used to manufacture batteries, is located underneath the salt flats but mining it would destroy Bolivia’s number one
tourist attraction the Salar de Uyuni.
5. The Cerro Mutun located near Santa Cruz is the world’s largest iron ore mine. It is run by Jindel, a company based in India.
6. The world’s largest butterfly sanctuary is located in Santa Cruz.
7. Bolivia is home to the worlds only known Boliviana mine – a yellow and purple precious stone produces when citrine and ametrine combine.
8. Potosi is the highest city in the world and La Paz is the second highest.
9. From 1557 to 1985, the mining industry dominated the Bolivian economy.
10. The women wrap everything from groceries to children inside brightly colored blankets and carry them on their backs.
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For tips on visiting South America CLICK HERE
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE |
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