Bolivia

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.