Bolivia

About Bolivia

Capital

Sucre / La Paz

Continent

Independence Date

6 August 1825

Official Language	Afrikaans
Second Language	Guarani
Population	~12.6 million
Passport Color	Green
Passport Rank	#66
Dialing Code	591
Country TLD	.bo

Bolivia Overview

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in South America. It borders Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, and Chile and Peru to the west. The constitutional capital is Sucre, while the seat of government and executive capital is La Paz. The largest city is Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Bolivia spans the high Andes, the Altiplano, valleys, and the Amazon basin. Iconic landscapes include the otherworldly Salar de Uyuni (the world’s largest salt flat), the high-altitude waters of Lake Titicaca, and biodiverse rainforests of Madidi National Park.

The economy features natural gas, mining (zinc, silver, tin, and large lithium resources), agriculture (soy complex), and tourism. With Spanish, Quechua, Aymara and other Indigenous languages official, Bolivia offers rich cultural traditions, music, textiles, and cuisine shaped by Andean and Amazonian heritage.

Travelers are drawn to colonial cities like Sucre and Potosí, the Yungas road to the Amazon, Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos, and mountain/altiplano trekking.

Quick Facts About Bolivia

Coordinates	16.2902° S, 63.5887° W
Bordering Countries	Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru
Region / Continent	South America
Total Area	~1,098,581 sq km
Population Density	~11–12 people per sq km
Highest Point	Nevado Sajama – 6,542 m
Major Rivers	Mamoré, Beni, Madre de Dios, Pilcomayo, Desaguadero, Paraguay
Climate Type	Varied: Andean highland (cool/dry) to tropical Amazon (humid)
Famous For	Salar de Uyuni, Lake Titicaca, Andean cultures, silver & tin heritage, biodiversity
Major Landmarks	Salar de Uyuni, Isla del Sol (Titicaca), Tiwanaku, Madidi NP, Potosí, Death Road (Yungas)
Official Languages	Spanish and multiple Indigenous languages (e.g., Quechua, Aymara)
Currency	Boliviano (BOB)
Government Type	Unitary Presidential Republic
Time Zone	UTC−4 (BOT)
Major Exports	Natural gas, minerals (zinc, silver, tin), soy products, gold
Visitor Entry	Visa policy varies by nationality (some visa-free/eVisa/VOA); check current rules