COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

There are few countries in the world quite as fascinating as Bolivia. This marvelous country located in the "heart of South America" houses the most diverse geographical environments, beginning with the Highlands in the west, an immense flat plateau always protected by their eternal Guards, the majestic Andes Range. There is Lake Titicaca too, the highest navigable lake in the world and genesis of the main Andean civilization of the southern part of America, the Aymaras.

In the eastern flanks of the Andes Range is the rich Yungas subtropical area, the rain forest where everything that you plant grows, like the magic plant of the Incas, the Coca. There are many pre Inca trails that were used to connect the tropics with the highlands through the Andes Range, showing impressive landscapes from the snow capped mountains over 6,000 m to the last branches of the range at 1,000 m entering the Amazon.

The big valleys from the central part to the south are the permanent suppliers of grain and vegetables for the highlands, this area has been Quechua speaking since Inca times. They range in height from 2,000 m. to 3,000 m with mild weather all year round.

All eastern Bolivia, from north to south is where Bolivian treasures of green nature are, from the most unimaginable virgin jungles of the Amazon basin in the north to the dry River of La Plata or Chaco area in the south. Many pristine areas previously without communication or human settlements are now National Parks, slowly increasing their organization and infrastructure to satisfy the needs of ecotourism.

Another important treasure of the country is the rich living culture that has survived until present times, with 32 different social groups and being over 50 % of the population. This legacy is so strong and diverse, that you can have live festivities and cultural events all year round, from really mystical and spiritual ones in the Andes to the wildest and most exotic ones in Santa Cruz and the tropics.

Festivals

Bolivian festivals are invariably of religious or political origin, normally commemorating a Christian or Indian saint or god, or a political event such as a battle or revolution. The festivities typically include lots of folk music, dancing processions, food, alcohol, ritual and generally unrestrained behavior. Major fiestas include Virgen de Candelaria, a week-long festival in the virgin's honor, best seen in Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca (early February); Carnival is a nationwide event but is best seen in Oruro; Phujllay is held in Tarabuco to commemorate the Battle of Cumbati (3rd Sunday of March); the animated Fest of Señor del Gran Poder is held in La Paz to celebrate the power of Jesus Christ (May-June); and Independence Day is a riotous nationwide party (6 August).

Important Information of Bolivia

POPULATION:		8,328,700 Inhabitants
AREA:		1,098,581 km2 (424,165 square miles)
CAPITAL:		Sucre La Paz, seat of the Government
FOUNDATION:		August 6, 1825
LANGUAGE:		Spanish, Quechua, Aymara and Guarani Many dialects are spread throughout the rest of the country, especially in the lowlands.
RELIGION:		Catholicism is the official religion
LOCAL TIME:		Official time is 4 hours behind Greenwich Meantime (GMT- 4).
CLIMATE:		Highlands: The temperature range goes in average from 3°C at night to 18°C during the day; pleasant during the day but cold at night. Valleys: Mild weather from 5°C to 25°C and range in height of 2,000 to 3,000 m. Jungle: Hot and humid in the Amazon, with regular rainfall all year round.
ELECTRICITY:		La Paz: 110 and 220 v. Rest of the country: only 220 v.
CURRENCY:		Boliviano (1 USD = 7.8 Bs.). Traveler's checks and credit cards accepted in urban and tourist areas on a limited basis. ATMs are available in large towns.
VACCINES:		Yellow fever and malaria are recommended in certain tropical regions.
AIRPORT TAX:		National: 3 USD International: 25 USD
OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS:		January 1, New Year. June (varies) Corpus Christi. February (varies) Carnival. August 6, Independence Day. April (varies) Holy Week. November 2, All Saints Day. May ,(varies) Labor Day. December 25, Christmas.