Bolivia, landlocked at the heart of Andean
Latin America, remains something of a well-kept secret. Throughout the country's colonial history,
Bolivia was known as 'Upper
Peru', until after Simon Bolivar led the country to independence in 1825, when it was named in his honor.
Today, those who venture beyond the mass tourism of neighboring, modern-day
Peru will find a country offering a far more authentic take on
Latin American culture. While upscale hotels and international-standard restaurants do exist, there are also plenty of long bus journeys
along
mountain passes, rough-and-tumble jeep trips across empty landscapes and chilly nights in low-frills hotels under llama-wool blankets. The infrastructure may need some work but the country's innate charm lies in its staggering breadth of contrasts: the clash of indigenous and European culture, the sweep of landscape from jungle to high-altitude mountains and the diversity of activities from adrenaline sports to ancient monuments.
With around two thirds of the population being of indigenous origin, the authentic culture has not been watered down. Native religions, dialects, clothes, music and medicines all form part of the daily life on the street. While the Spanish influence is strong in the colonial architecture, most notably in Sucre,
Bolivia has remained close its roots, electing its first-ever indigenous president, Evo Morales, in December 2005.
GeographyBolivia is a landlocked country bordered by Peru to the northwest, Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina and Paraguay to the south and Chile to the west. There are three main areas: the first is a high plateau known as the ‘Altiplano', a less fertile but populous region lying approximately 4,000m (13,000ft) above sea level. The second area is a fertile valley situated 1,800m (5,900ft) to 2,700m (8,850ft) above sea level, which is less populous but more productive. The third area comprises the lowland tropics that stretch down to the frontiers with Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, where the tropical climate and heavy rainfall foster lush vegetation and exotic produce.
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