1 GeoFroggy

Background

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, continuing the privatization program, and waging an anti-corruption campaign.

Location

Central South America, southwest of Brazil

Area Comparative

Slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Maritime Claims

none (landlocked)

Climate
Varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid

Natural Hazards

Cold, thin air of high plateau is obstacle to efficient fuel combustion, as well as to physical activity by those unaccustomed to it from birth; flooding in the northeast (March-April)

Environment Current Issues

The clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection

Geography Note

Landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
Year

Map Reference

  • South America

Irrigated Land 1993

  • 1,750 sq km

Area 2000

  • Total
    1,098,580 sq km
  • Land
    1,084,390 sq km
  • Water
    14,190 sq km

Coastline

  • 0 km

Geographical Coordinates

  • 17 00 S, 65 00 W

Land use 2000

  • Arable Land
    2%
  • Permanent Crops
    0%
  • Permanent Pastures
    24%
  • Forests And Woodland
    53%
  • Other
    21%

Terrain

  • Rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano)
  • Hills
  • Lowland plains of the Amazon Basin

Elevation

  • Lowest Point: Rio Paraguay 90 m
  • Highest Point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m

Land Boundaries

  • Total
    6,743 km
  • Argentina
    832 km
  • Brazil
    3,400 km
  • Chile
    861 km
  • Paraguay
    750 km
  • Peru
    900 km

Natural Resources

  • Tin
  • Natural gas
  • Petroleum
  • Zinc
  • Tungsten
  • Antimony
  • Silver
  • Iron
  • Lead
  • Gold
  • Timber
  • Hydropower
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