Bolivia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Plurinational State of Bolivia Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia (Spanish) Official names in indigenous languages Puliwya Achka Aylluska Mamallaqta (Quechua) Wuliwya Walja Ayllunakana Marka (Aymara) Tetã Hetate'ýigua Volívia (Guarani) Co-official names
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem: Himno Nacional de Bolivia (Spanish) "National Anthem of Bolivia"
Dual flag: Wiphala
Location of Bolivia (dark green) in South America (gray)
Capital	Sucre
Administrative center	La Paz
Largest city	Santa Cruz de la Sierra 17°48′S 63°10′W / 17.800°S 63.167°W / -17.800; -63.167
Official languages	Spanish Quechua Aymara Guarani Other Indigenous languages
Ethnic groups (2009)	68% Mestizo (mixed White and Indigenous) 20% Indigenous 5% White 2% Cholo 1% Black 1% other 3% unspecified
Religion (2020)	92.8% Christianity 81.4% Catholicism 11.4% other Christian 6.5% no religion 0.7% other
Demonym(s)	Bolivian
Government	Unitary presidential republic

• President	Luis Arce
• Vice President	David Choquehuanca
• President of the Senate	Andrónico Rodríguez

Legislature	Plurinational Legislative Assembly
• Upper house	Chamber of Senators
• Lower house	Chamber of Deputies
Independence from Spain

• Declared	6 August 1825
• Recognized	21 July 1847
• Current constitution	7 February 2009

Area
• Total	1,098,581 km² (424,164 sq mi) (27th)
• Water (%)	1.29
Population
• 2024 census	11,312,620 (84th)
• Density	10.4/km² (26.9/sq mi) (224th)
GDP (PPP)	2023 estimate
• Total	$125.428 billion (94th)
• Per capita	$10,340 (120th)
GDP (nominal)	2023 estimate
• Total	$46.796 billion (96th)
• Per capita	$3,857 (126th)
Gini (2021)	▼ 40.9 medium
HDI (2022)	0.698 medium · 120th
Currency	Boliviano (BOB)
Time zone	UTC−4 (BOT)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	right
Calling code	+591
ISO 3166 code	BO
Internet TLD	.bo

Bolivia (officially called the Plurinational State of Bolivia) is a country in South America. It is a landlocked nation, meaning it has no coastline. Bolivia is surrounded by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Peru, and Chile.

The country is named after Simón Bolívar, a famous leader who helped many South American countries gain independence. The main languages spoken in Bolivia are Spanish and Quechua. However, many other local languages are also spoken. In 2013, Bolivia had a population of about 10.67 million people.

Bolivia's Past: A Brief History
Exploring Bolivia's Geography
People of Bolivia: Demographics
Bolivia's Economy and Tourism
- Tourism in Bolivia
How Bolivia is Divided
Bolivia's Amazing Biodiversity
- Plants and Animals of Bolivia
Bolivian Culture
National Symbols
Related pages
Images for kids
See also

Bolivia's Past: A Brief History

Bolivia was once a colony of Spain. Spanish rulers used the country's rich silver mines to make a lot of money. Many Bolivians were forced to work in these mines.

After many battles and struggles, Simón Bolívar played a key role in helping Bolivia become an independent country. This happened on August 6, 1825.

Exploring Bolivia's Geography

Copacabana, a town on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca.

A satellite view of Bolivia.

The high plains of the Bolivian Altiplano.

Sol de Mañana, a geothermal area in southwestern Bolivia with steam vents.

Part of the Amazon rainforest in northern Bolivia.

Bolivia is located in the middle of South America. It covers a huge area of about 1,098,581 square kilometers (424,163 square miles). This makes it the 28th largest country in the world and the fifth largest in South America.

The country's landscape is very diverse. It stretches from the high Andes mountains to parts of the Gran Chaco, Pantanal, and even the Amazon rainforest. Bolivia is known for its amazing biodiversity, meaning it has many different kinds of plants and animals.

Different Regions of Bolivia

Bolivia has three main geographical regions:

The Andean Region: This area is in the southwest and covers about 28% of Bolivia. It's very high up, mostly above 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above sea level. Here you'll find two large mountain ranges, the Western Range and the Central Range. Some of the highest peaks in the Americas are here, like Nevado Sajama (6,542 meters or 21,463 feet) and Illimani (6,462 meters or 21,194 feet).
- Lake Titicaca: This famous lake is also in the Andean region. It's the highest lake in the world where boats can travel for business, and it's the largest lake in South America. Bolivia shares it with Peru.
- Salar de Uyuni: This is the world's largest salt flat. It's a huge, flat area covered in salt and is an important source of lithium.

The Sub-Andean Region: Located in the center and south, this region is a middle ground between the high Andes and the eastern plains. It makes up about 13% of Bolivia. This area includes valleys and the Yungas region. It's known for its farming and mild weather.

The Llanos Region: This is the largest region, covering 59% of Bolivia, in the northeast. It's a flat area with small plateaus, mostly covered by dense rainforests. This region is full of incredible biodiversity and is generally below 400 meters (1,300 feet) above sea level.

Bolivia's River Systems

Bolivia has three main river systems, called drainage basins:

The Amazon Basin: This is the largest basin, covering about 66% of Bolivia. Rivers here often form large loops and lakes. The main Bolivian river flowing into the Amazon is the Mamoré River. Other important rivers include the Beni River and the Madre de Dios River.

The Río de la Plata Basin: This basin is in the south and covers about 21% of the country. Its rivers are generally smaller than those in the Amazon Basin. Key rivers here are the Paraguay River, Pilcomayo River, and Bermejo River.

The Central Basin: This unique basin covers 13% of Bolivia. It's an endorheic basin, meaning its lakes and rivers don't flow into any ocean. They are surrounded by the Andes mountains. The most important river is the Desaguadero River, which flows from Lake Titicaca to Lake Poopó. This basin also includes the large salt flats like the Salar de Uyuni.

Bolivia's Climate Zones

The Chacaltaya Ski Resort in the La Paz Department.

Bolivia's climate changes a lot depending on the region. It can be tropical in the east and very cold, like a polar climate, in the western Andes.

Llanos (Eastern Plains): This area has a tropical climate that is warm and humid, with an average temperature of 25°C (77°F). Winds from the Amazon rainforest bring a lot of rain. Sometimes, cool winds from the south, called surazos, can make temperatures drop for a few days.

Altiplano (High Plains): This region has a desert-like and polar climate with strong, cold winds. Temperatures usually range from 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F) during the day. However, at night, temperatures drop sharply, often close to freezing. Frost is common, and it snows frequently.

Valleys and Yungas: These areas have a temperate climate. Humid winds from the northeast are pushed up by the mountains, making this region very wet and rainy. Higher elevations are cooler, and snow can fall at altitudes above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet).

Chaco: This region has a subtropical semi-arid climate. It's rainy and humid in January, but the rest of the year has warm days and cold nights.

People of Bolivia: Demographics

Bolivia has a population of about 10.9 million people. The people of Bolivia come from different backgrounds:

About 55% are Native American.
About 30% are Mestizo, meaning they have mixed European and Indigenous heritage.
About 15% are White.

Bolivia's Economy and Tourism

A view of La Paz, Bolivia.

Bolivia faces challenges with poverty, as about 75.7% of its people live below the poverty line.

The country has the second-largest natural gas reserves in South America. Bolivia sells a lot of this natural gas to Brazil.

Tourism in Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni, one of the most famous places to visit in Bolivia.

Tourism is becoming more and more important for Bolivia's economy. The country offers many different attractions because of its rich culture, varied landscapes, long history, and delicious food.

Some of the most popular places to visit include Nevado Sajama, Torotoro National Park, Madidi National Park, Tiwanaku, and the city of La Paz.

One of Bolivia's most famous festivals is the "Carnaval de Oruro". UNESCO recognized it as one of the first "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" in 2001.

How Bolivia is Divided

Bolivia is divided into nine main areas called departments. These departments are then split into 112 smaller areas called provinces. The provinces are further divided into 339 municipalities and special native community lands.

Department	Abbreviation (ISO)	Population	Surface (km²)	Density	Capital city
Territorial division of Bolivia

Bolivia	BO	10.027.644	1.098.581	9,1	Sucre
Beni	BO-B	430.049	213.564	1,9	Trinidad
Chuquisaca	BO-H	631.062	51.524	11,9	Sucre
Cochabamba	BO-C	1.786.040	55.631	22,7	Cochabamba
La Paz	BO-L	2.756.989	133.985	19,9	La Paz
Oruro	BO-O	444.093	53.558	8,2	Oruro
Pando	BO-N	75.335	63.827	1,1	Cobija
Potosí	BO-P	780.392	118.218	6,5	Potosí
Santa Cruz	BO-S	2.626.697	370.621	7,1	Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Tarija	BO-T	496.988	37.623	12,5	Tarija
Source: Demographic Projections 2008, Bolivian National Demographic Institute. The departmental densitiy has been calculated with the population of 2006.

Bolivia's Amazing Biodiversity

A Llama at Laguna Colorada in Potosí, Bolivia.

Bolivia is considered one of the "Megadiverse Countries" because it has an enormous variety of living things and natural environments.

The country's different altitudes, from 90 meters (300 feet) to 6,542 meters (21,463 feet) above sea level, create a huge range of biological diversity. Bolivia has four main types of biomes, 32 ecological regions, and 199 different ecosystems.

There are many national parks and reserves, like the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park and the Madidi National Park. These places protect Bolivia's incredible nature.

Plants and Animals of Bolivia

Bolivia is home to over 17,000 species of seed plants. This includes more than 1,200 types of ferns and 800 kinds of fungus. Over 3,000 species of medicinal plants also grow here.

Bolivia is believed to be where many important plants first grew. These include peppers and chili peppers, peanuts, common beans, and yucca. The country also naturally produces over 4,000 different kinds of potatoes!

Bolivia has more than 2,900 animal species. This includes 398 mammals, over 1,400 birds (about 14% of all known bird species in the world!), 204 amphibians, 277 reptiles, and 635 types of fresh water fish. Since Bolivia is a landlocked country, it has no saltwater fish. You can also find over 3,000 kinds of butterfly and more than 60 types of domestic animals.

Bolivian Culture

Bolivian children playing the tarka, a type of flute.

Bolivian culture is a mix of influences from the Inca, Aymara, and other native groups. These influences can be seen in their religion, music, and clothing.

A very popular festival is "El carnaval de Oruro". People in Bolivia love playing football, which is often played right in the street.

National Symbols

The Cantuta (also called kantuta or qantuta) is a beautiful flower found in the Yungas region. It is one of Bolivia's national flowers. The other is the patujú (Heliconia rostrata), which grows in the tropical areas of Bolivia.

Images for kids

Casa de La Moneda, Potosí
Casa de La Libertad, Sucre
Banco Central de Bolivia, Sucre
Hugo Banzer Suárez was a former president.
Former President, Evo Morales
Inauguration of Luis Arce and David Choquehuanca on 8 November 2020
Topographical map of Bolivia
Mururata as seen from the tropical valleys of the Yungas
Laguna Colorada in the Puna de Lipez in Potosí
Chacaltaya ski resort, La Paz Department
Bolivia's national animal, the llama
Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) is a state-owned company and the country's largest airline. Two BoA Boeing 737-300s parked at Jorge Wilstermann International Airport.
People in La Paz city center
Danza de los macheteros, typical dance from San Ignacio de Moxos, Bolivia
Aymara man, near Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
Church of San Lorenzo de Carangas, Potosí, mid-16th century–1744.