South AmericaBolivia
Discover Bolivia - home to the world's largest salt flat, the highest capital city, Lake Titicaca, and vibrant indigenous cultures.
Where Is Bolivia?
Bolivia is a country in South America. It has two capitals: Sucre is the constitutional capital and La Paz is the seat of government.
- Capital Sucre (constitutional), La Paz (seat of government)
- Population 12.6M
- Area 1,098,581 km²
Bolivia is one of the most geographically dramatic countries on Earth. La Paz, the administrative capital, sits at 3,640 meters above sea level, making it the highest capital city in the world - visitors literally gasp for air when they arrive. The Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, a blinding white expanse of 10,000 square kilometers that turns into the world's biggest mirror when it rains. Lake Titicaca, shared with Peru, is the highest navigable lake in the world.
Bolivia is also one of South America's most indigenous nations, with over 60% of the population identifying as indigenous. The country has 37 official languages, reflecting the incredible cultural diversity of its Quechua, Aymara, Guaraní, and other communities. Evo Morales became the country's first indigenous president in 2006. Bolivia is landlocked - it lost its Pacific coast to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884) and still has a Navy that trains on Lake Titicaca, waiting for the day the coast is returned. The country is raw, rugged, and one of the most rewarding travel destinations in South America for those willing to rough it.
At a glance
Largest cities in Bolivia
La Paz
Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Cochabamba
Sucre
Potosí
Famous people from Bolivia
Evo Morales
PoliticsBolivia's first indigenous president (2006-2019), symbol of indigenous rights in Latin America
Simón Bolívar
PoliticsThe country's namesake, South American liberator who freed multiple nations from Spanish rule
Jaime Escalante
ScienceBolivian-born math teacher who inspired the film Stand and Deliver, transforming inner-city education
Marcelo Martins
SportBolivia's all-time top goalscorer, one of the few Bolivian footballers to play in major European leagues
Traditional cuisine of Bolivia
- Salteñas
- Bolivia's beloved morning pastry - juicy empanada-like pockets filled with meat, potatoes, and sweet spicy sauce
- Silpancho
- Pounded beef cutlet served over rice and potatoes, topped with fried egg and salsa
- Pique Macho
- Cochabamba's signature dish - a mountain of diced beef, sausage, potatoes, and peppers
- Llama Meat
- Lean, high-protein meat commonly served as charque (jerky) or in stews in the Altiplano region
- Api
- Hot purple corn drink spiced with cinnamon and cloves, often paired with pastries for breakfast
Nature and landmarks in Bolivia
- Salar de UyuniLandmark
- The world's largest salt flat at 10,582 km², a surreal white landscape that becomes a giant mirror in the wet season
- Lake TiticacaLake
- The world's highest navigable lake at 3,812 meters, shared with Peru, home to the Uros floating islands
- Madidi National ParkNational Park
- One of the most biodiverse places on Earth, spanning Andean glaciers to Amazon rainforest
- Cerro RicoMountain
- The legendary silver mountain of Potosí that funded the Spanish Empire and cost millions of lives
- Yungas RoadLandmark
- The Death Road - once the world's most dangerous road, now a popular mountain biking route
Sports in Bolivia
- Football
- Home advantage at 3,640m in La Paz is legendary, qualified for the 1994 World Cup
- Racquetball
- Bolivia is surprisingly competitive in international racquetball
- Wrestling
- Cholita wrestling - indigenous Aymara women wrestling in traditional dress has become a cultural phenomenon
Did you know?
Bolivia has two capitals - Sucre (constitutional) and La Paz (administrative), making it one of the few countries with dual capitals
The Salar de Uyuni contains about 70% of the world's known lithium reserves
Bolivia has a Navy despite being landlocked since losing its coast to Chile in 1884
La Paz has the world's longest and highest urban cable car system, Mi Teleférico
Bolivia's official name is the Plurinational State of Bolivia, recognizing its 37 official languages
Cerro Rico in Potosí produced so much silver that it funded the Spanish Empire for two centuries
Bolivia straddles the Andes and the Amazon, with elevations ranging from 90 to 6,542 meters
Can you find Bolivia on a map?
Drop a pin where you think it is and see how close you got. A few rounds and you will place Bolivia and its neighbours without a second thought.
