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COUNTRY INFORMATION - BOLIVIA

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Location Of Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked country bordered by Peru to the northwest, Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south and Chile to the west. There are three main areas: the first is a high plateau known as the & #8216;Altiplano’, a largely barren region lying approximately 13,000ft above sea level. It comprises 10 per cent of the country’s area and contains 70 per cent of the population, nearly one-third of who are urban dwellers. The second area is a fertile valley situated 5900ft to 8850ft above sea level. The third area comprises the lowland tropics that stretch down to the frontiers with Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, taking up some 70 per cent of the land area.

Airports
La Paz international airport is 8.5 miles southwest of La Paz. Coach services to the city depart whenever there are scheduled flight arrivals the travel time around 20 minutes. Services from the city to the airport depart from Plaza Isabel La Católica. Minibus and taxis are also available.
Santa Cruz international airport is 10 miles from the centre of Santa Cruz.

Language
The official languages are Spanish, Quechua and Aymará. English is also spoken by a small number of officials and businesspeople in commercial centres.

Places To Go
La Paz, the seat of national government, is situated 11,910ft above sea level and is the world’s highest capital city. Mount Illimani stands in the background. The city contains many museums and is well provided with modern and comfortable hotels. Nearby attractions include Lake Titicaca, the Yungas Valleys, the Chacaltaya ski resort and the exceptional rock formations in the Moon Valley. Cochabamba, known as the garden city, is 8390ft above sea level and boasts a long tradition of local culture and folklore.

The state of Santa Cruz is rich in natural resources; the city itself, despite considerable modernisation, still retains much of its colonial past and is characterised by its ethnic diversity (owing to the large number of immigrants it has attracted in recent years). Santa Cruz, which shares many historical links with neighbouring Argentina and Brazil, is Bolivia’s fastest growing city as well as the centre of the country’s economic growth. This region around the city is rich in tradition and folklore and the nearby rainforest offers abundant opportunities to lovers of outdoor activities (such as fishing or swimming). The area’s rich cuisine is also to be sampled.

Potosí is known as the imperial city and is situated at the foot of Rich Mountain, famed for its mineral wealth. In early colonial times, Potosí was the most important and populous city on the continent, and is now one of its greatest historical memorials. The House of Coins is just one example of this.

Oruro is a traditional mining centre, and preserver of many relics of a colonial past. Every year the town hosts one of the most extraordinary and faithful expressions of folklore in South America during the famous carnival (February/ March).

Sucre, in the state of Chuquisaca, played an important part in the struggle for independence, and is rich in museums, libraries and historical archives. Among the most important are the Cathedral Museum, the National Library, the Colonial Museum, the Anthropological Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Recoleta Convent.

Tarija stands 6480ft above sea level. The area enjoys an excellent climate, and is festive and hospitable. With its beautiful flowers and fine wines, Tarija is the ideal place for finding peace and quiet.

The states of Beni and Pando, situated in the heart of the Bolivian jungle, occupy a region, which offers the visitor landscapes of warmth and colour. The & #8216;Golden’ Pantiti with many navigable rivers is a popular place for excursions by both land and water. Good fishing is also possible in the region. The major towns in the area are Trinidad and Cobija.

Viceministerio de Turismo (Ministry of Tourism)
Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz,
Edificio Palacio de Comunicaciónes,
Piso 16,
La Paz, Bolivia
Tel: (2) 236 7463/4 or 236 1138.
Fax: (2) 237 4630.
E-mail: vturismo@mcei.gov.bo
Website: www.mcei.gov.bo

Embassy and Consulate of the Republic of Bolivia
106 Eaton Square,
London
SW1W 9AD,
UK
Tel: (020) 7235 4248 or 7235 4255 (visa enquiries).
Tel/Fax: (020) 7235 1286.
E-mail: info@embassyofbolivia.co.uk
Website: www.embassyofbolivia.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09:30-17:00 (general enquiries); 10:00-12:30 (consular and visa enquiries).

British Embassy
Avenida Arce 2732,
Casilla 694,
La Paz,
Bolivia
Tel: (2) 243 3424.
Fax: (2) 243 1073.
E-mail: ppa@megalink.com
Website: www.britishembassy.gov.uk/bolivia

CIA World Factbook - Bolivia

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