Information About Bolivia
Getting to Know Bolivia

Bolivia, considered to be the “Cosmic Synthesis of the World,” is a wonderful country where you can freely integrate with the people and learn about their culture and lifestyle, as well as visit the highest navigable lake in the world, and icy, snow-capped mountains.

Natural Environment: Bolivia presents great geographical contrast. It is comprised of a diversity of ecological systems and bio-geographic regions in the Andes, the Amazon and the Chaco, with unique and beautiful landscapes throughout.
This nation is among the countries with the greatest biological diversity in the world; it has 42 ecological-natural units, all of which contain a vast variety of flora and fauna. A large number of vertebrates can be seen here: more than 1,350 bird species (about 43% of all the bird species in South America), as well as over 220 species of reptiles and over 100 species of amphibians.
Bolivia has 29 Protected Areas, including national parks, national reserves, biospheres, sanctuaries and wildlife refuges.

Weather: Bolivia’s weather is highly unpredictable and most travelers find that the climate here is much cooler than they expected, even in the humid forests of the North. Frost is not unheard of, but generally speaking, Bolivia’s climate is similar to Peru’s. It has two seasons, wet (summer) and dry (winter)
The dry season is between May and October, but even then, has its share of rainy days. In the Amazon this season is not actually dry, only drier than the rest of the year; it is hot and very humid all year round.

Population: Nearly 9 million people make their home in Bolivia; many of them direct descendants of the strong Aymara culture, although there are also many of European ancestry. Although Bolivia has remained one of the economically poorest and least developed Latin American countries, it is among the richest when it comes to native culture and traditions.

Languages: Spanish is recognized as the official language, but more than half of the population speaks native languages: About 34% speak Quechua and 25%, Aymara.
There are some 39 other living languages spoken in different regions of the country including: Ayoreo, Chiquitano, Chorote, Ese Ejja and Uru.

Cultural Expression: Music and Dance are the most popular forms of cultural expression here. Through them, the people give free rein to their emotions, especially during carnival and regional celebrations. The mixture of indigenous and Spanish cultures gave rise to various dances and forms of music including, El Gran Sicuri, which is used to honor Our Lady of Copacabana, and the cueca and the huayño, which are popular among couples because of their alternating displays of coquetry and dignity.
Bolivian art forms span a whole gamut of customs and history, and since pre-Columbian times, the people of Bolivia have been creating truly beautiful handicrafts and works of art, especially ceramics and weavings. When the Inka conquered the native tribes that lived here, their art diverged, but was not lost; to this day varying styles of mixed cultural influence can be seen throughout Bolivia in its art, architecture, music, and customs.

As for cuisine, a variety of delicious and tempting Bolivian dishes awaits the visitor. The empanadas salteñas (a type of meat pie), and the fantasticfrog legs (from Lake Titicaca) are just a sampling of true Bolivian cuisine. Andean food also has a high nutritional value, and has awakened scientific curiosity (the grain, quinua, has recently come to be recognized as an important element in a balanced diet).