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__General Information__
“Bolivia is not a large country compared with South American neighbors, but it still covers 424,165 square miles”(2). This means that Bolivia is “twice the size of Texas”(2).


 * **Bolivia is bordered by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru**
 * **Bolivia's population is currently around 9,119,152 people.**
 * **There are 3 main regions in Bolivia. They include the High Plateau (Altiplano), the Yungas, and the lowlands **

**The population in Bolivia is currently 9,119,152. Of these citizens, the dominant religion is Roman Catholic. In Bolivia, their system of government is a Republic. The presidents are elected for four-year terms and they also “select a cabinet of ministers to help them run the country”(2). The capital city in Bolivia is La Paz. La Paz is the central of government and entertainment. Bolivia is bordered by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru. In Bolivia there are three major geographic zones. They are the “high plateau (altiplano), temperate and semitropical valleys of the Eastern mountain slopes (yungas), and the tropical lowlands (llanos) of the Amazon River Basin”(1). Because there are 3 geographic zones that create varieties in the elevation, the climate has many changes also. The currency in Bolivia is known as BOB (Bolivian Boliviano). If an American goes to Bolivia, 1 U.S. dollar is equal to 7.4515 BOB.

Bolivia, “until the 1990’s was very poor”(2). This all changed when President Sanchez of Lozada “began free trade with Mexico, becoming involved with the Southern Cone Common Market, privatization of the state airline, telephone company, railroad, electric power, and oil company”(2). With President Sanchez’s help, Bolivia is now not very poor. In fact, the unemployment rate is only 8%(1). Bolivia’s main exports include: tin, antimony, lead, zinc, gold, petroleum, natural gas, soybeans, sugar, coffee, quinoa, rice, vegetable oils, timber, native jewelry, and alpaca wool (5). “The level of exports has reached at US $1,824 Millions in the year 2004”(7). Their main imports include: “mostly intermediate goods, followed by industrial, capital, and consumer goods”(8).** **Back to Bolivia home page** 