40 Interesting and Surprising Bolivia Facts
Bolivia is very fascinating, highland country, lost in the immensity of South America. With these 40 interesting Bolivia Facts, let’s learn about its colorful history, culture, industries, tourism, economy, tradition, people, religion and more.
1. The official name of Bolivia is the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
2. Bolivia is a landlocked country located in western-central South America.
3. Bolivia has a total area of 1,098,581 square km.
4. Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia.
5. Spanish is one of its official languages.
6. The official currency of Bolivia is Boliviano.
7. Bolivia is bordered by Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Peru.
8. The first president of Bolivia was Simon Bolivar.
9. Bolivia finally became an independent country on August 6, 1825.
10. There are three drainage basins in Bolivia: Rio De La Plata Basin, the Amazon basin and Central Basin.
11. The estimated population of Bolivia is 11 million.
12. The voting age in Bolivia is 18 years of age for married people and 21 years of age for single people.
13. From about 700 AD onward Tiahuanaco ruled a great empire in Bolivia and southern Peru.
14. Modern Bolivia is a charter member of the USAN, ACTO, Bank of the South, IMF, NAM, OAS, UN, and ALBA.
15. Bolivia is one of the wettest countries in the world, with annual rainfall over 26 feet.
16. Bolivia has a very high fertility rate.
17. Bolivia is the poorest country in South America.
18. Bolivia is home to the world’s largest salt flat.
19. Bolivia is named from the Venezuelan leader – Simon Bolivar.
20. La Paz was the first South American city to receive electricity supply.
21. Despite their name, the most significant exporter of Brazil nuts is not Brazil but Bolivia.
22. The world’s largest butterfly sanctuary is located near Santa Cruz Bolivia.
23. Bolivian silver was an important source of revenue for the Spanish Empire by the late 16th century.
24. The Amazon River dolphin also known as the boto is found in Bolivia.
25. Cal Orcko, a famous limestone cliff in Bolivia hosts about 5,000 dinosaur footprints, with many dating back 68 million years.
26. Camino De Las Yungas, also known as the death road is located in La Paz.
27. Lake Titicaca, is a large, deep lake in the Andes on the border of Bolivia and Peru, often called the “highest navigable lake” in the world.
28. People living in Bolivia are called Bolivians.
29. Approximately, 77% of Bolivians are Roman Catholic.
30. After Venezuela, Bolivia holds the record for the second largest natural gas reserves in South America.
31. Bolivia sells natural gas to Brazil.
32. Bolivia’s biggest source of wealth is Tin.
33. Potosi was the most populated city in the world in 1570.
34. The biggest cities of Bolivia are La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba.
35. La Paz, the capital of Bolivia qualifies as the highest capital city in the world.
36. Nevado Sajama, is the tallest mountain in Bolivia, standing at a height of 21,463 or 6541mts.
37. Bolivia’s last volcanic eruption was in 1995.
38. Evo Morales is the current President of Bolivia.
39. Madidi National Park is one of the largest protected region that boasts some of the richest biodiversity on Earth.
