Political overview

Bolivia is a plurinational state with a somewhat unusual capital arrangement: Sucre is the constitutional (judicial) capital while La Paz is the seat of government and administration both play important roles in national politics. The country is divided into nine departments (the equivalent of states), each with its own departmental government and representation in the national legislature. Bolivia’s modern politics are shaped by its multiethnic composition and by efforts to recognize indigenous autonomy and rights within the plurinational constitutional framework.

Cultural heritage and identity

Bolivia is internationally known for its rich Indigenous cultures especially Aymara and Quechua traditions which deeply influence language, festivals, and everyday life; Spanish, Quechua and Aymara are among the major languages. Historic highland cities like Potosí (famous for its colonial silver mines) and archaeological sites such as Tiwanaku underline the country’s long cultural past and are recognized on the World Heritage list. Religious and popular festivals (for example the pilgrimages and celebrations around Copacabana at Lake Titicaca) blend Indigenous and Catholic traditions and draw both regional pilgrims and international interest.

Geographical landscape, area and climate

Bolivia’s landscape is dramatically diverse: the high Andean Altiplano (including Lake Titicaca, one of the world’s highest navigable lakes), the Cordillera mountain chains, and the lowland Amazon Basin and humid Yungas on the eastern flank. The country’s land area is roughly on the order of 1.08–1.09 million km², and because Bolivia lies within the tropics its climates range from arctic cold at high altitudes to tropical heat in the lowlands altitude, not latitude, largely dictates local weather. Bolivia’s signature natural highlights include the Salar de Uyuni (the world’s largest salt flat) and vast biodiversity in protected areas, both of which make it a standout destination for nature and geological tourism.