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Country Fact File : Bolivia
Volunteer in Bolivia
Bolivia may be one of the poorest countries in South America, but its cultural wealth, the mindblowing landscapes and the remains of mysterious ancient civilizations make it the richest and most exciting destination for adventurous and independent travellers. On any trip to South America, it is not to be missed. Whether you are visiting Lake Titicaca, watching the wildlife of the altiplano or discovering the lowland tropics, there really is something for everyone. The region around La Paz is known as Little Bolivia, for the simple reason that it contains snow-peaks, desert and sub-tropical jungle, all within a couple of hours bus journey.
| Location | Central South America, southwest of Brazil |
| Area | 1,098,580 sq km |
| Border Countries | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru |
| Climate | Varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid |
| Terrain | Rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin |
| Highest Point | Nevado Sajama 6,542 m |
| Natural Hazards | flooding in the northeast (March-April) |
| Environmental Issues | the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation |
| Population | 8,586,443 (July 2003 est.) |
| Ethnic Groups | Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15% |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) |
| Languages | Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official) |
| Type of Government | Republic |
| Capital | La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary) |
| Independence Day | 6 August 1825 (from Spain) |
| Chief of State/ Head of Government |
President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since 17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government |
| Currency | boliviano (BOB) |
| Time | GMT -4 |
Did you know?
Lake Titicaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America
Bolivia was named after Simon Bolivar, the independence fighter
La Paz is home to the world’s highest golf course
The Salar de Uyuni contains 10 billion tons of fine salt reserves
Useful Numbers & Web Addresses
International dialing code: +591
Police tel: 110
Ambulance tel: 118
British Embassy: Avenida Arce No.2732, Casilla (PO Box) 694, La Paz. Tel: (591) (2) 2433424
Embassy in UK: 106 Eaton Square, London SW1W 9AD. Tel: 020 7235 4248/2257
01727 250250
Duration and Costs
| Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
| 4 Weeks | £895 |
| 6 Weeks | £1060 |
| 8 Weeks | £1220 |
| 10 Weeks | £1385 |
| 12 Weeks | £1485 |
| 16 Weeks | £1740 |
| Group Size |
|---|
| Up to five volunteers per community. |
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