Facts about Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked country in the western central of South America. Sucre is the constitutional capital, while the seat of government and executive capital is La Paz of Bolivia. Spanish is one of the official languages of Bolivia. One-third of the bolivia is within the Andean mountain range. Similarly, the largest city of Bolivia is Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Andean condor is the national bird of Bolivia and the national flower is the Kantuta & the Patuju. With these interesting facts about Bolivia, let learn more about the history, culture, religion, people, industries, tourism, tradition, and many more.
Quick Facts about Bolivia
The official name of Bolivia: Plurinational State of Bolivia
Area: 1,098,581 square km
Population(2019): 11.428 million
Population density: 10.4 Square kilometers
GDP (PPP)(2019): $89.018 Billion
GDP Per Capita (nominal): $3,823
Continent: South America
Capital: La Paz (The seat of Government and Executive Capital), Sucre (The constitutional capital)
Language: Spanish, Guarani, Quechua, Aymara are highly spoken languages
Official Languages: Spanish Quechua, Aymara, Guarani, and other 33 indigenous languages
Largest by area: 27th largest country
Religion: Christianity: 89.3% (Roman Catholic: 70.1%, Protestant: 17.3%, Other Christian: 1.9 %), No religion: 10.1%, Other: 0.6%
Government: Unitary presidential republic
Currency: Boliviano (BOB)
Time Zone: UTC-4 (BOT)
29 Interesting Facts about Bolivia
1. Landlocked countries in South America
Bolivia and Paraguay are the only two countries in South America that are landlocked. Other remaining countries in SouthAmerica are touched by the ocean. Similarly, Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America.
2. Country name by the military leader
Bolivia is named after Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan military leader who led the country to independence. He is a person who independence the country from the Spanish Empire. Similarly, Simon Bolivar also led Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama to independence from the Spanish Empire.
During his period, he ruled over a vast territory from the Argentine border to the Caribbean sea.
3. Changed its official name in 2009
Bolivia changed its official name from the Republic of Bolivia to the Plurinational State of Bolivia in 2009.
4. Oldest silver mines
Cerro Rico is one of bolivia's oldest silver mines. Many people are dead in Cerro Rico. More than 8 million have people died and missing in the mountain in the last 500 years. Most of the victims were the indigenous people that were brought by force to the Spanish ruler from different parts of the country.
It is also known as "the mountain that eats men'' and is still mined with pick and shovel today.
5. Known as Upper Peru
During the Spanish rule, Bolivia was known as Upper Peru.
6. The native tongue of most Bolivian people
The official languages of Bolivia are Spanish and others. Similarly, Spanish is a highly spoken language in Bolivia. Furthermore, Spanish is the native tongue of more than 40% of the country's population. Additionally, Aymara and Quechua are also the official languages of Bolivia.
In the rural areas, indigenous people speak their own languages.
7. The Indigenous population is two-thirds of the country population
Bolivia has one of the largest populations of indigenous people in South America. Two-thirds of the population are indigenous people in Bolivia. It means more than 60% of Bolivian's citizens are indigenous, predominantly Quechua and Aymara. They have their own languages. Similarly, 33 indigenous languages are also listed in the official languages of Bolivia.
8. The first president from an indigenous majority
The former president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, was the first member of the indigenous majority to be elected as the president of Bolivia. He was elected president in December 2005 and stayed in the position of power until November 10, 2019.
9. Military service is obligatory for all men
In Bolivia, military service is obligatory for all men between the ages of 18 and 22.
These are some interesting facts about Bolivia.
10. First South American city to get an electricity
Bolivia is the first South American country to get an electricity supply in La Paz city. It was powered by Llama Dung.
11. World's largest butterfly
One of the world's largest butterfly sanctuaries is found in Bolivia. The butterfly is spanning in 24 hectares and this place is located 20 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz. And this place is open 365 days a year for tourists.
Similarly, different types of restaurants, bars, bungalows, resort hotels, a huge area of the playground, Biolabs, and many more facilities are available inside the sanctuary for the visiting guests.
12. Road of Fate or Death Road is in Bolivia
The North Yungas Road, which is also known as the Road of Fate or Death Road, is in Bolivia. The road was built in the 1930s by Paraguayan prisoners of war. It is 56 kilometers long and every year nearly 200-300 people died from falling off the road.
Recently, the road was improved to avoid casualties. Furthermore, the road has also cross marks where vehicles have fallen in the past to alert the passing drivers.
13. Unique prison in Bolivia
There is a prison in Bolivia where prisoner rent their own cells and can live with their families. Similarly, this prison charge tourists for tours. Additionally, at one point all the cocaine in Bolivia come from this place.
14. World's largest salt flat
Bolivia has the world's largest salt flat, which covers 10,582 squares kilometers. It is 3,656 meters above sea level. Similarly, it is almost 100 times larger than the famous Bonneville Salt flats in Utah, USA. It is also known for its nickname "the largest mirror on Earth". Furthermore, it contains 60 to 70% of the world's lithium reserves.
15. Amazon rainforest is also in Bolivia
Most of the amazon rainforest is in brazil. Around 60% amazon rainforest is in Brazil. Peru has 13%, Colombia has 10% and the remaining have in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, and three countries.
16. Largest protected area in the world
Madidi National park, with an area of 18,958 squares kilometers is one of the largest protected areas in the world. More than 8,500 species are protected in Madidi National park.
17. The hotel made almost entirely of salt
There's a hotel in Bolivia made almost entirely of salt. The hotel beds and chairs are also made up of complete salt.
18. The amazing flower that only blooms in 40 year
There is a flower in Bolivia that only blooms once in its 40-year life.
19. A country rich in Gemstone
Bolivia is one of the few countries in the world where you can mine Amftrine.
20. Most intriguing archeological sites in South America
Tiwanaku, which is located in Bolivia is the most intriguing archeological site in South America.
21. World's highest navigable lake
The lake Titicaca in Bolivia is the world's highest navigable lake and it is at 12,507 feet (3810 m) above sea level. Similarly, it has a surface area of 8,300 square kilometers. It is shared between Bolivia and Peru.
22. Found the different species of dinosaurs in Bolivia
In the northwest parts of Bolivia on Cal Orck'o, which is also the home to the largest and most diverse collection of Cretaceous dinosaur footprints. In Cal Orcko, scientists found 5055 footprints from at least 8 different species of dinosaurs. The area covered by the footprint was 1.5 km long and approximately 80 meters in height. Similarly, the footprint marks are 68 million years old. And they are on a vertical wall.
These are some interesting facts about Bolivia.
23. The potato was first domesticated
The potato was first domesticated in the region of north-western bolivia between 8000 and 5000 BC.
24. The Dolphins are pink
The Dolphins (Bolivian Bufeo) that are found on the Amazon river are pink in color. It has also been declared Bolivia's Natural Heritage.
25. The Capital city of Bolivia
Many people think that La Paz is the capital of Bolivia it's wrong. The official capital of Bolivia is Sucre, and it has been since 1825 after the country's independence. During 1898, the economy of the country declined, and the government moved to La Paz.
26. The National animal of Bolivia
The llama is the national animal of Bolivia and one of the largest animals on the Altiplano. Similarly, it is a source of meat, wool, leather, tallow, and fuel in rural Andean communities.
27. Second Largest Lake of Bolivia
The second-largest lake in Bolivia is called Lake Poopo. It's not a freshwater lake.
28. Bolivia is one of the wettest countries
Bolivia has an annual rainfall of over 5 meters, making it one of the wettest countries on the planet.
29. Temple submerged inside the lake in Bolivia
In 2000 AD, Scientists discovered an ancient temple submerged inside lake Titicaca in Bolivia and Peru. The Titicaca lake lies on the border of Bolivia and Peru.
These are some interesting facts about Bolivia.
Facts about Bolivia for kids
- Constitutional Capital of Bolivia- La Paz
- The seat of Government and Executive Capital of Bolivia- La Paz
- Area of Bolivia- 1,098,581 sq km
- The population of Bolivia (2018)- 11.306
- Highly spoken Language- Spanish
- The national currency of Bolivia- Boliviano
- The Largest city of Bolivia- Santa Cruz de La Sierra
- Continent- South America
- The National name of Bolivia- Republica de Bolivia
- The National Anthem of Bolivia- Bolivianos, el Hado Propicio
- Principle river of Bolivia- The Beni river
- The national bird of Bolivia- Andean Condor
- Bolivia National flower- The Kantuta & The Patuju
- The national animal of Bolivia- Llama
- Bolivia National sport- Football
- Number of official languages in Bolivia- 37
These are some interesting facts about Bolivia for kids.
Fun facts about Bolivia
- The main exporter of Brazil nuts is not brazil. It's Bolivia.
- The average height of women in bolivia, Indonesia, and Guatemala is short enough to be considered a dwarf (4'10'' or under).
- Most homes in Bolivia have a dried Llama fetus thrown under its foundation for luck.
- Tinku is a festival in Bolivia where people beat each other for 2 or 3 days straight.
- Bolivia was not a landlocked country. Its territory on the pacific ocean was lost to chile after the war of the pacific in the mid 19th century.
- Landlocked bolivia maintains a standing Navy, in preparation for the day it reconquers coastline lost to chile in the 19th century.
- Bolivia's largest prison, San Pedro, has a society within itself, with no guards inside the walls.
- The world bank pretty much-forced bolivia to sell its water supply to a private corporation which resulted in the main theme of a James Bond film.
These are some fun facts about Bolivia.
In conclusion
In this article, we discuss some interesting facts about Bolivia. After reading this article, you got some knowledge about Bolivia. If you have any queries reading the facts about bolivia then please comment us in the comment box. Also, if you have to know more about bolivia facts which are not mentioned in the above article then also you can comment to us. So that we can add more information in this article on the facts about bolivia. If you love this article, then please let us know by comment. So that we are also trying to add more articles about facts in the coming day. Have a great time.
