Bolivia Population, Official Language And More.

Democracy period: Bolivia returned to democracy in 1982, after a long period of dictatorship and instability. The democratic era was marked by economic liberalization, constitutional reforms, social movements, ethnic diversity, and political pluralism. The most notable event was the election of Evo Morales in 2005, the first indigenous president of Bolivia. Morales implemented a leftist agenda that included a new constitution, social programs, anti-imperialism, and environmentalism. He also faced criticism for his authoritarian tendencies, corruption scandals, and controversial policies.

Read about the history Here…

The population: Bolivia has an estimated population of 11.7 million people as of 2020, according to UN data. It ranks 80th in the world by population and has a density of 11 people per square kilometer. The majority of the population is indigenous (62%), followed by mestizo (26%), and white (12%). The largest ethnic groups are Quechua (21%), Aymara (14%), and Chiquitano (2%).

The landmarks: Bolivia has many natural and cultural landmarks that attract tourists and visitors. Some of the most famous ones are:

El Fuerte de Samaipata: A pre-Columbian archaeological site that features a large carved rock with geometric and zoomorphic designs. It was used by different cultures, such as the Tiwanaku, the Inca, and the Spanish, for religious and ceremonial purposes.

Lake Titicaca: The largest lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world. It lies on the border between Bolivia and Peru and has a rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. It is home to several islands, such as the Isla del Sol and the Isla de la Luna, that have ancient ruins and sacred sites.

Salar de Uyuni: The world’s largest salt flat, covering an area of over 10,000 square kilometers. It was formed by the evaporation of a prehistoric lake, and contains vast amounts of salt, lithium, and other minerals. It is also known for its stunning scenery, especially when it reflects the sky like a mirror.

The official language: Bolivia has one of the highest numbers of official languages in the world, with 39 languages being lawfully recognized as official. The main language of Bolivia is Spanish, spoken by 70% of the population. Many other indigenous languages are also used, most prominently Quechua (18%) and Aymara (10%). Indigenous languages and Spanish are official languages of the state according to the 2009 Constitution.

The culture: Bolivia has a rich and diverse culture that reflects its multiethnic and plurinational identity. Some aspects of Bolivian culture are:

Religion: Bolivia is predominantly Roman Catholic, with about 77% of the population identifying as such. However, many Catholics also practice elements of indigenous religions, such as worshipping Pachamama (Mother Earth) or offering coca leaves to spirits. Other religions in Bolivia include Protestantism (16%), indigenous beliefs (3%), and others (4%).

Music: Bolivian music is influenced by various genres, such as Andean folk music, European classical music, African rhythms, and modern pop music. Some of the most popular instruments are the charango (a small stringed instrument), the quena (a wooden flute), the zampoña (a panpipe), and the bombo (a drum). Some of the most famous musical styles are huayño, saya, tinku, and cumbia.

Food: Bolivian cuisine is varied and delicious, reflecting its diverse geography and history. Some of the staple ingredients are potatoes, corn, quinoa, beans, rice, meat, cheese, and eggs. Some of the typical dishes are salteñas (savory pastries filled with meat or cheese), pique macho (a spicy dish of beef, sausage, fries, eggs, and vegetables), silpancho (a thin steak topped with eggs, rice, potatoes, and salad), and api (a hot drink made from purple corn).

The economic stability: Bolivia is a developing country that faces many challenges in terms of economic stability. Some of the indicators are:

GDP: Bolivia’s gross domestic product (GDP) was $40.29 billion in 2019, ranking 95th in the world. Its GDP per capita was $3,549 in 2019, ranking 126th in the world.

Poverty: Bolivia’s poverty rate was 31.5% in 2018, down from 59.6% in 2005. However, it still remains one of the

The GDP

• The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Bolivia is the total value of all goods and services produced in the country in a given year.
• According to the World Bank, the GDP of Bolivia was worth 43.07 billion US dollars in 2022, representing 0.02 percent of the world economy.
• The GDP of Bolivia grew by 6.1% in 2021, recovering from a -8.7% contraction in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Currency

• The currency of Bolivia is the boliviano (sign: Bs, code: BOB), which is divided into 100 cents or centavos.
• The boliviano was introduced in 1986, replacing the peso boliviano at a rate of one million to one.
• As of August 5, 2023, one US dollar is equal to 6.86 bolivianos.

The Food

• Bolivian food is influenced by various cuisines, such as Spanish, Andean, Amazonian, and African.
• Some of the traditional staples of Bolivian food are corn, potatoes, quinoa, and beans, which are often combined with meat, cheese, eggs, and sauces.
• Some of the popular dishes of Bolivian food are:
  • Anticucho: skewered beef or chicken hearts served with potatoes and peanut sauce.
  • Salteña: baked pastry filled with meat, potatoes, peas, olives, and spicy sauce.
  • Pique macho: a platter of sliced beef, sausage, fries, boiled eggs, cheese, tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers.

Major Cities

• Bolivia has nine administrative departments, each with a capital city.
• The largest and most populous city in Bolivia is Santa Cruz de la Sierra, with an estimated population of 2.3 million people in 2020.
• The constitutional capital and seat of the judiciary is Sucre, while the seat of the executive and legislative branches is La Paz, which is also the highest capital city in the world at an elevation of 3,640 meters above sea level.
• Other major cities in Bolivia include Cochabamba, El Alto, Oruro, Potosí, Tarija, and Trinidad.

Major Airport, Sea Port and Schools

• Bolivia is a landlocked country that does not have access to the sea. However, it has some river ports that connect it to neighboring countries via the Paraguay-Paraná waterway. Some of these ports are:
  • Puerto Aguirre: located on the Ichilo River in Santa Cruz department.
  • Puerto Busch: located on the Paraguay River near the border with Brazil.
  • Puerto Suárez: located on the Tamengo Canal near the border with Brazil.
• Bolivia has several airports that serve domestic and international flights. Some of these airports are:
  • Viru Viru International Airport: located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and serving as the main hub for Boliviana de Aviación (BOA), the national flag carrier.
  • El Alto International Airport: located in El Alto and serving as the main gateway to La Paz and the rest of the Altiplano region.
  • Jorge Wilstermann International Airport: located in Cochabamba and serving as a regional hub for central Bolivia.
• Bolivia has a diverse educational system that includes public and private institutions at various levels. Some of these schools are:
  • Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA): located in La Paz and founded in 1830, it is the oldest and largest university in Bolivia.
  • Universidad Mayor de San Simón (UMSS): located in Cochabamba and founded in 1832, it is the second oldest and second largest university in Bolivia.
  • Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo (UCB): located in La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, and Tarija, it is a private university affiliated with the Catholic Church and founded in 1966.