An Introduction to Bolivia

Bolivia is an often overlooked country with a unique history and atmosphere. It shares borders with five other countries and is completely landlocked. The western part of the country is one great plateau with an average altitude of 12,000 feet. Nearly one-half of Bolivia's population lives atop this plateau, though 2/3rds of the country lies in the lowlands. There are many interesting facts that one should know about Bolivia before planning a trip there.

A Brief History of Bolivia

Bolivian lands were host to the Tiwanaku culture for hundreds of years, until a great drought brought them to an early end around 950 AD. The Incans later made most of western Bolivia into part of their empire until the Spanish invasion in the 16th century defeated their armies. Traveling to Bolivia The Spanish proceeded to enslave the native population and put them to work mining the great wealth of minerals in Bolivian soil. Several revolts against Spanish rule ended in failure. Finally, once the Bolivian-born Spaniards decided that they wanted freedom as well, Bolivia managed to win its independence in 1825. The country is named after the famous general and politician Simon Bolivar, who also helped several other South American countries win their freedom. Bolivia is considered the poorest nation in South America despite its large reserves of natural gas and oil. The current president is trying to implement reforms that will change this in the future.

The People of Bolivia

More than 60% of the Bolivian population claims indigenous heritage descent from more than 30 different ethnic groups. The rest of the population consists mainly of Spanish and mixed ethnicities. The primary language spoken is Spanish, by approximately 70% of the population, though if one ventures outside the cities there are many who do not speak Spanish, instead speaking their own traditional languages. This prevalence of native culture can be seen everywhere in the arts, crafts, and traditional dress that are still part of everyday life. The religion of Bolivia is 95% Roman Catholic, but the indigenous populations have merged it with many of their own folk religions and created a version of Catholicism that is truly unique to Bolivia. In the city, one will experience more of the modern world mixed with the customs of old, but in the rural areas tradition runs deep.

Some of Bolivia’s Most Popular Cities to Visit

While there are many wonderful cities to see in Bolivia, there are a few that stand out to those seeking to explore the culture and history of the country.

La Paz

Located in the valley of the Choqueyapu River, La Paz hosts a mostly native-descended population. It has the honor of being the 2nd highest city in the world and is home to many museums and art galleries displaying the culture of Bolivia, both traditional, colonial, and modern. In February, La Paz celebrates the Alasitas Fair and Carnaval where one can view the customs of folk-Catholicism first hand. The Witches Market in La Paz is known for being the place to go if one is interested in the pure traditions of the native people. From the Monticulo overlook one can look down upon the entire city of La Paz from above.

Sucre Sucre in Bolivia

The former capital of Bolivia and current seat of the Catholic Church, Sucre is filled with cultural attractions. There is a large indigenous population who regularly dress in traditional clothing and sell their arts and crafts. Many museums in the city display the history of Bolivia in native, Spanish, colonial, and modern styles. The Casa de la Libertad is of special historical significance, being the place where the Bolivian Declaration of Independence was signed. Outside of Sucre, the rural area of Tarabuco is lost in time, the inhabitants dressing in their native garb and practicing their traditional customs. This can be a great place to get a feel for a different side of Bolivia.

Potosi

Potosi is home to the silver mines that the Spanish had their eyes on when they occupied Bolivia. There are many tours of the various mines, such as Potosi Mine or Cerro Rico, for those that are interested. The Casa Nacional de la Moneda is the former Spanish mint, but has now been turned into a museum for Bolivian archaeology. Potosi is also home to many churches and is perfect for seeing a view of the colonial history of Bolivia.

Some of the Most Popular Places to Visit in Bolivia

With such a wealth of natural beauty, it is hard to find any place in Bolivia that is not worth visiting, though some are more attractive to travelers than others. Many are filled with the history of Bolivia before it became the country it is today.

Tiwanaku

On the southern short of Lake Titicaca, the ruins of Tiwanaku hold many marvels and clues to the cultures that lived in the region before the Incas came. The most famous sites at this location are the 50 ft. tall Akapana Pyramid and the beautiful Kalasasaya Temple. Every year on June 21st, Tiwanaku celebrates the Aymara New Year Festival, where native cultures celebrate in their folk-Catholic style, welcoming tourists to come and observe.

Tiahuanacao

Another ancient, pre-Incan city, these ruins are composed of many buildings which were constructed of stones weighing up to 15 tons. A tour of these ruins can bring the pre-history of Bolivia to life for a visitor.

Yungas Road

Only for the more adventurous traveler, the Yungas Road is known as the "Death Road" by the locals. This journey twists and turns its way upwards along the edges of sheer cliffs. It also has the honor of being named the most dangerous road in South America. All the danger can be well worth it, however, as the views from the Yungas Road are unparalleled.

Lake Titicaca Lake Titicaca in Bolivia

A literal stone's throw from Tiwanaku, Lake Titicaca is located on the border of Bolivia and Peru. It is the highest navigable lake on the earth and many of the native Uros tribes still live around its shore and make their traditional living fishing the lake. This can be a great way to see and meet the native peoples of Bolivia.

Salar de Uyuni

The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world. While that may not sound like much, the landscape is haunting and surreal and carries a unique beauty that can not be rivaled.

Recently, Bolivia has been undergoing great change in the reformation of its constitution and the inclusion of the native population in political decisions. This can make for a tumultuous country and the perfect place for anyone who wishes to view history in the making. Visiting Bolivia is best during the dry season, from May to October, as the heavy rains during the wet season can often make getting around difficult or sometimes impossible.

I really hope I could be a bit of help for your holiday to Bolivia, but if you would like more background info you should definitely try Google out. I did some search on Google and these were the websites that really stood out