GeoFroggy

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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 1982, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug efforts, and waging an anticorruption 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

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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, 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

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Map Reference

South America

Irrigated Land 1998

1,280 sq km

Area 2005

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 2005

Arable Land
2.67%
Permanent Crops
0.19%
Other
97.14%

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

Bolivia