PRESENTATION
Bolivia from the lowland to
the mountains is a cultural, geographical and climatic synthesis of South
America. Located in the heart of South America, it is full of Aymara,
Quechua and Tupiguary legends. The ranges of these cultures span from the
Isla del Sol to Tiwanaku, to Incallajta to Samaipata. Traces of the
Spanish Conquest are also evident in the monuments and buildings of La
Paz, Sucre, Potosí and other departments of the Bolivian East. The Spanish Conquest also brought Catholic missionaries who built the Jesuit Missions in the north of Santa Cruz. These are not ruins like in other countries. Rather, they are original constructions of the 17th century: intact, imposing, marvelous, and remarkable as much as for their beauty as for their rich history.
With such a mix of indigenous and Spanish roots, the people of Bolivia are characterized by their strength, warmth and hospitality towards their visitors.
Our travel services begin in the eastern lowlands which are covered by numerous rivers of Amazon basins and the Plata river. This region is the cradle of old civilizations with vibrant traditions that carry on today.
Past the vibrant lowlands stand the pearls of the snow-capped mountains.
Bolivia has three geographical regions with different climates: the cold, dry Altiplano, the temperate valleys and the tropical region.
GEOGRAPHIC SYNTHESIS
In the inland region of Bolivia there are the 3 major river basins:
-The rivers of the Amazon, this region borders Brazil and Peru. It comprised of humid, tropical forests, savannas with a biodiversity in flora and fauna.
-The region of the Río de Plata, it borders with Argentina and Paraguay, with beautiful and fertile valleys and extensive tropical prairies. In this river basin we see the Pantanal ecoregion, in the northeast of the department of Santa Cruz and in the river basins Lacustre.
-The hydrographic system of the central Altiplano, lake Titicaca, the Desaguadero river and Lake Poopó, which borders with Peru and Chile.
Towards the west and south the landscape is stunning on the Salar de Uyuni (salt lakes) and the multi-colored and green lagoons. The mountain range of the Andes, in the north of the city La Paz is the natural border between the Altiplano and the Amazon River Basin.
This is an important chain of snow-white mountains, with peaks higher than 6.000 meters
above the sea level. It offers great mountaineering of high and mid difficulty levels. In addition one can ski on the most well-known snow-capped mountains such as:
-El Illimani, 6.402 meters above sea level.
-Huayna Potosí, 6.068 meters above sea level.
-Illampu, 6.429 meters above sea level.
-Majestuoso Sajama, 6.542 meters above sea level, the highest snow-capped mountain of Bolivia and the second highest volcano of the world.
While it takes days to go from deserts to mountains or lowlands in other countries, to the delight of our visitors, in Bolivia it can take just hours.
The geographic diversity of Bolivia allows the visitor to see the most diverse flora and fauna in the whole continent. From the snow-capped peaks of the Altiplano, where the Condor, the Llamas, Alpacas and the Vicuña roam and the Gigant Cactus as the spectacular Puya Raymondis, flowers every ten years, to continue with the valleys, where Mother Nature is very generous with the variety of the agricultural production and the ornamental plants, to Amazonia with its luxuriant vegetation, great variety of palm trees, orchids and an endless number of wildflowers and animal species like caimans, tigers, snakes and an incredible quantity of Toucans and fishes.
We have to mention the Victoria Regia, the Tuiuiu, in the Bolivian Pantanal it has a very particular landscape.
It's from this diversity that we call Bolivia:
SURFACE
1.098.581 KM2 (425,807 millas)
POPULATION
Approximately
8.500.000 Habitants
LANGUAGE
The official language is Spanish. In the Altiplano and Valley the residents speak Aymara and Quechua. In the east, Guaraní and other native languages are spoken. In the hotels and other tourist places the people also speak English, German and French.
GOVERNMENT
Bolivia is a presidential republic with a constitutional, democratic government.
The official capital of the historic republic is Sucre. The headquarters of the courts.
Until the end of the 14th century the headquarters of the government were in La Paz, which currently serves as the social and political center of the country.
In the east is Santa Cruz, currently undergoing rapid population increase and economic development.
ECONOMY
The traditional Bolivian economy is based on the exploitation of minerals,
such as tin, silver, gold, lithium, wolfram, cobre, natural gas and
hydrocarbon.
Nowadays the production of fine wood, cotton, sugar, coffee and handicrafts are also a source of significant earnings.
Bolivia is basically an agricultural country, because of its geographical and climatic characteristics. Nevertheless, it is currently developing economically
MONEY
The currency is the Boliviano (the symbol is Bs.) Other means of payments such as Dollars, travellercheques and credit cards are also accepted in the different banks, exchange offices, hotels, restaurants and several shops.
RELIGION
The official religion is Catholic. There is complete freedom for all religions including the ancient customized religions which are still practiced in the villages.
CLIMATE
The climate is different in every geographic region:
"In the Altiplano,14% of the national territory (La Paz, Oruro and Potosí 3.600 meters above sea level) the average temperature is about 13°C with a dry and cold climate.
"In the central valleys, 19% of the national territory (Sucre, Tarija, Cochabamba 1.800 meters above sea level) it is about 18°C a mild climate.
"In the east lowlands, 67% of the national territory (Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando 300 meters above sea level) it is with its 25°C, moist and warm.
CLOTHING
In the Andes region winter clothing is necessary all year. During the
summertime (October until December) we recommend clothing for a more mid-range
temperature.
In the mild Valleys clothing for mid-ranged temperatures are recommended. During the months April until September we suggest taking a pullover and a coat.
In the tropical part of Bolivia light and sporty clothing are enough, but the weather can change radically with wind and rain. Warmer clothing is recommended in the months May until August.
SHOPPING
There are specialized handicraft shops (Artesanías) with traditional goods from every region, such as Alpaca sweaters, thread cotton, wooden handicrafts, and gold, silver and pewter jewelry with native and modern designs.
TRANSPORTATION
Connections between all departments (states) of Bolivia are possible by plane, train or bus. A number of international airlines fly to and from Bolivia, connecting La Paz and Santa Cruz with all European countries.
Train transportation is possible to Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Busses operate regularly to Argentina, Chile, Peru, Paraguay and Brazil.
In certain parts of Bolivia there is also transportation on the rivers and lakes.
ACCOMMODATION
Bolivia has a wide variety of hotels. They offer comfort and hospitality in all different categories.
FOOD
In addition to the international cuisine, Bolivia offers a wide variety of traditional dishes.
The food has a wide range of special spices that add a unique taste to each dish. From dehydrated potatoes and cereal grain of the Andes, like the protein rich quinoa, to tropical fruits and a variety of fish.
WORKING HOURS
Morning:
From 08:30 to 12:30
Afternoons:
From 15:00 to 19:00
Banks close at:
From 08:30 to 16:00
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
"1st of January, New Year.
"February/March, the week before Lent.
"April, Good Friday
"1st of November, All Saints and Day of the Dead
"25th of December, Christmas Day.
Every department also celebrates its civic anniversary.
ELECTRICITY
The electricity is 220 Volt; only in La Paz is there both 110 and 220 Volt.
CREDIT CARDS
The most accepted credit cards in Bolivia are: Visa, Master Card and American Express.
THE PEOPLE
The Bolivians are well-known for their hospitality, honesty and courtesy.
They enjoy their traditions and preserve them. They are hard workers and are very friendly. They have defied a hostile environment throughout history due to their closed-off frontiers.
In the valleys and the lowlands the people are more spontaneous and open and attempt to preserve their clothing and music. The Bolivian society consists 50% indigenous people, 30% mixed ancestry and 20% white people.
30 different ethnic groups live in Bolivia with the most common being Quechuas, Aymaras and Tupi-Guadañes.
In all of Bolivia we witness many interesting cultures, visible in the dressing room and in the artistic textures, the dances and the dance partys, the music and the instruments, the houses and the people who live inside, its cosmic conception of space, the weather and the variety of ancient ceremony rituals.
The original and rich mixture encourages the conservation of the old traditions.
The wardrobe and folklore which thrive together and interweave are characteristic of the urbanized zones.
ECOLOGY
Bolivia has shown its interest in the ecological problems of the world.
Aware of the great responsibility of respecting and supporting of the balance of nature, our country was pioneer in declaring an "Ecological Break".
With the new ecological map the government has established protected areas and ecological sanctuaries which assure rational conservation and preservation with the view towards the future.
In this view, they have established important ecological guidelines that allows the visitor to enjoy the exuberant Bolivian flora and fauna.
We offer specialized programs in ecotourism areas where living together with nature is possible in an exotic atmosphere.
CITIES
Sucre, capital of the republic and center of the Judiciary Branch is a traditional city which maintains a 17th century colonial atmosphere.
La Paz is the government center with the Presidential, Legislative Branches housed here.
It is also the economic and social crossroads of the many regions from the mountain ranges to the lowlands, with a variety of cultures and traditional clothing.
Santa Cruz, important for the oil, timber and the agribusiness industries, is experiencing an increase in development. Nevertheless it maintains its colored traditions of dance and music.
Cochabamba, the garden city of Bolivia, is characterized by its excellent climate and picturesque landscape.
Potosí is the historic symbol of the colonial period at its economic and height.
Oruro, the mining city of the Altiplano is famous for its folkloric carnival.
Tarija, a touch of Andalusia in the south of Bolivia.
Trinidad, bathed by the tributary rivers of the Amazon.
Cobija, the northern city, traditional and known far its Brazil nut trees and rubber.
HISTORY
The origin of the Republic of Bolivia can be traced to a millennium before Christ. Inhabited by indigenous cultures, it became the birthplace of American civilization.
From a prehistory forgotten by time, we find traces of a glorious past: Chipayas, Iru Itus, Muratos and the Tiwuanacotas, who reached higher cultural levels of social organization.
This land was well-known as the "Kollasuyo" or territory of the Kollas. It formed a part of the vast Incan Empire beginning in the second half of the 15th century.
With the arrival of the Spanish, the empire in this region became the "Audencia de Charcas" or Alto Peru. As the first country that rebelled against the Spanish Conquest, it was the last to defeat it in 1825, as the powerful Spanish army concentrated in this area which sustained the Spanish empire economically with the silver mines of Potosí.
Independence was achieved due to the perseverance of the indigenous movement, liberated by Tupac Katari, Manuel Ascencio Padilla, Juan Azurduy de Padilla Bartolina Sisa and many others. They complemented and pushed beyond the previous literary movement of the creoles and guided by the futurist vision of Bolivia, but also the unity of the countries of America.
