Bolivia Essay, Research Paper
Geography
Bolivia is bounded on the north and east by Brazil, on the southeast by Paraguay, on the south by Argentina, and on the west
by Chile and Peru. Bolivia, along with Paraguay, is the only South American country without direct access to the sea. Going in
the northern-southern direction the maximum length of Bolivia is about 1530km (about 950 mi); its width, in an eastern-western
direction, is about 1450 km (about 900 mi). The area is 1,098,581 sq. km (about 424,165 sq. mi), making it only fifth in size
(after Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia) of all South American countries.
Land
The main physical feature of Bolivia is the Andes Mountains, which extend north to south across the western part of the
country. On the west, near Chile, is the Cordillera Occidental, or western range, and on the northeast is the Cordillera Real, the
main range of the Andes. The Cordillera Real contains some of the highest Andean peaks, notably Ancohuma (6550 m/ 21,489
ft) and Illampu (6485 m/21,276 ft).
Regions
Bolivia is divided into three distinct regions: the Altiplano; the yungas, a series of well watered and forested valleys embracing
the eastern mountain slopes and valleys; and the llanos, or the Amazon-Chaco lowlands. The Altiplano is about 800 km (about
500 mi) long and about 130 km (about 80 mi) wide and lies between the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Real. The
northern part, where the bulk of the population and industry of Bolivia is found, is Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world.
Stretching east and northeast from the mountains are the Amazonian plains containing large grassy tracts and dense tropical
forests. Much of this region becomes swampland during the wet season (December through February); large areas, however,
lie above the flood line and are rich grazing lands. In the southeast, separated from the Amazonian plains by the Chiquitos
highlands (about 1070 m/3500 ft) are the dry, semitropical plains of the Chaco.
Rivers
In the northern valleys and plains, the draining system consists of the Beni River and its main partner, the Guapor? River, which
forms part of the boundary with Brazil; and the Mamor? River. The Pilcomayo River, the chief river of southeastern Bolivia,
flows through the Chaco to feed the Paraguay River, thus eventually draining into the R?o de la Plata. The Desaguadero River,
outlet for Lake Titicaca, feeds Lake Poop? (not poo poo) to the southeast.
Climate
Although entirely within the tropics, Bolivia, as a result of its different elevations, has a wide range of climates. In the higher
regions, the climate is cool and dry, but generally good in spite of the cutting winds, the thinness of atmosphere, and the daily
extremes of temperature. In the lower region, the climate is warmer. The mean annual temperatures range from about 8.3?C
(about 47?F) in the Altiplano to about 26.1?C (about 79?F) in the eastern lowlands.
Plants and Animals
Because of the many variations in elevation, plant and animal species of nearly all climactic zone are found in Bolivia. A coarse
grass grows on the largely barren high plateau in the west. The llama, found chiefly on the Altiplano, is an efficient beast of
burden. Alpacas and vicu?as also inhabit the plateau, along with monkeys, pumas, jaguars, armadillos, and a variety of reptiles,
birds, and insects that are found predominantly in the tropical Amazon Basin.
Important Products
Deposits of metallic ores are large and varied. Mineral resources include tin, lead, silver, copper, antimony, zinc, sulfur, bismuth,
gold, and tungsten. Salt, petroleum, and natural gas are also found. The soil of certain regions, mostly the valleys east of Santa
Cruz (the yungas), is extremely fertile. The yearly output of hydroelectric plants in the late 1980’s amounted to 1.1 billion kwh,
74% of Bolivia’s total
Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry
Farming is extremely important to the Bolivian economy, employing nearly half the labor force and accounting for about 23% of
the annual domestic products. Bolivia’s agriculture suffers from old farming methods, uneven population distribution, and
inadequate transportation. Although, it’s now self-sufficient in the production of sugar, rice, and meat, Bolivia must still import
certain foods. The main Bolivian crops are potatoes sugarcane, cotton, coffee, maize, rice, and wheat; a major share of farm
income comes from the illicit growing and processing of coca leaves, the source of cocaine. Fishing is a relatively unimportant
industry in Bolivia. The lack of transportation has prevented large-scale exploitation of wealth in the Bolivian forests, which
cover more than half of the country?s area.
Mining, Manufacturing, and Trade
Mining, a major industry in Bolivia, was delayed in the late l980’s by weak prices in world markets. Bolivia has long been one
of the world’s leading producers of tin. In 1952, its three major tin-mining operations were put under the Corporaci?n Minera
de Bolivia (COMIBOL). Most of the tin mines are located in the vicinity of Oruro; the annual output of tin in the late 1980’s
was about 7000 metric tons. Also mined are tungsten, lead, zinc, copper, and silver Petroleum and natural gas production
increased in importance in the 1960’s and early 1970s; by the late 1980’s Bolivia was virtually self-sufficient in petroleum.
Manufacturing enterprises are on a small scale; industry accounts for about 11% of the gross domestic product and employs
9% of the labor force. Sugar refining, leather working tobacco processing and the manufacture of cement, chemicals, paper,
furniture, glass, explosives, and matches are key industries; more than two-thirds of all manufacturing is in La Paz
Bolivia has long been dependent on mineral exports. Natural gas accounted for 36% of export earnings in the late l98O’s, and
tin provided 13%. Silver, antimony, lead, copper, zinc, tungsten, coffee, and sugar are also important exports. Imports consist
mainly of machinery, motor vehicles, electric equipment, and manufactured goods. In the late 1980’s annual imports totaled
about $730 million, and exports about $724 million. The United States, Argentina, and Brazil are Bolivia’s main traders
Important/lnteresting Places
The constitutional capital of Bolivia is Sucre (population, 1988 estimate, 95,635); La Paz (1,049.800), the largest city, is the
administrative capital. Other important cities are Santa Cruz (1987 estimate, greater city, 577,800), a major trade center;
Cochabamba (1988 estimate,377,259), in a fertile farming region; Oruro (195439), in the mining district; and Potosi (114092),
also in a mineral-producing area.
History
The territory of Bolivia, a part of the ancient empire of the Incas, was conquered in 1538 by Hernando Pizarro, younger
brother of the Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro, who subdued Peru, heart of the Inca Empire. Within the next 40 years,
Spanish settlements were formed at Sucre, Potosi, La Paz, and Cochabamba, and numerous silver mines, in which The Native
American population was compelled to labor, were opened. For some 200 years, the area, known as the Audiencia of
Charcas, was one of the most prosperous and populated centers in the Spanish colonies; Potosi may have been the largest city
in the Western Hemisphere. The area began to decline in the 18th century. and by the end of it, the mining industry was in a
state of stagnation.
Revolts in 1809 led to the Wars of Independence. Bolivia declared its independence on August 6, 1825, and took the name
Bolivia on August 11. A constitution drafted by the South American revolutionary leader Sim?n Bol?var, was adopted by a
congress at Chuquisaca in l826. It put supreme authority in a president chosen for life
From the beginning of its national existence, Bolivia was in chronic revolution and civil war. The first president, General Antonio
Jose de Sucre, was expelled from the country after holding office for only two years. For a while (1336-39), Bolivia was in a
confederation with Peru, but a Chilean invasion brought an effective end to it, increasing the turbulence. Short wars and disputes
with both Peru and Chile followed.
Boundary Disputes
By treaties made in 1866 and 1874 regarding the disputed Atacama Desert, famed for its rich nitrate fields, the 24th parallel of
south latitude was adopted as the Chile-Bolivia boundary line in that region. In addition, various customs and mining
concessions in Bolivian Atacama were granted to Chile. Disputes came between the two countries over the provisions, and in
1879 Chile seized the Bolivian port of Antofagasta. In the resulting struggle, called the War of the Pacific, Bolivia and its ally
Peru were defeated by Chile. Bolivia was stripped of its one seacoast possession becoming a landlocked country. A dispute
with Brazil concerning the possession of the Acre region was settled in 1903, with a bargain of about 180,000 sq. km (about
70000 sq. mi) to Brazil in return for a money indemnity and small territorial compensations elsewhere.
The Bolivian government then became involved in boundary disputes with Argentina, Peru, and Paraguay. A peaceful solution
of the dispute with Argentina was reached in 1925. Peru and Bolivia settled disputes over the peninsula of Copacabana by
appointing in the l93O’s a joint decision to decide the border.
The Paraguay-Bolivia boundary dispute arose over the Chaco Boreal, a low region lying north of the Paraguay river and west
of the Paraguay River and extending to the undisputed boundary of Bolivia. Both Bolivia and Paraguay claimed the entire
territory. In July 1932, an undeclared war broke out. A peace treaty was signed in July 1933.
Since the founding of the United Nations in 1945, Bolivia has desired that the General Assembly consider its want to regain a
seaport on the Pacific coast and has also approached the matter before the Organization of American States. Chile, opposing
Bolivia’s ambitions, alternatively declared Arica a free port in 1953 and granted Bolivia special customs and warehousing areas.
Government
Bolivia is a republic governed under a constitution passed in 1947. For purposes, the republic is divided into nine major political
divisions, called departments: Santa Cruz El Beni, Tarija, Potosi, La Paz, Chuquisaca, Pando, Cochabamba, and Oruro. The
president is General Hugo Banzer.
Executive
Executive power is put in a president and vice president, elected for terms of four years by direct popular vote of married
persons over the age of 18 and single persons over 21. Neither can be reelected to an immediate succeeding term. The
president appoints the cabinet. Among other presidential powers, is the right to rule by decree.
Health and Welfare
Health conditions are poor in Bolivia. In the mid-1980’s the country had one physician for every 1600 inhabitants. The infant
mortality rate is among the highest in South America; malaria, dysentery, and tuberculosis are common, and there was a serious
outbreak of yellow fever in the late 1980’s. Medical services and hospitals are particularly inadequate in rural areas. Bolivia has
a comprehensive social insurance plan, but it covers less than half the working people.
Legislature
The Bolivian congress is composed of a senate of 27 members (3 from each department) and a chamber of deputies of 130
members. All are elected for 4-year terms.
Political Parties
The principal political Parties are the National Revolutionary Movement of the Left(MNRI), and National Revolutionary
Movement (MNR), and Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN).
Local Government
Bolivia is divided into nine departments administered by prefects appointed by the President. Each department is divided into
provinces administered by subprefects appointed by the president. Important cities and towns have popularly elected councils.
Judiciary and Defense
Justice is administered by the supreme court, which is composed of l2 members elected by the congress to 10-year terms, and
by district and local courts. Military training is common, but in practice only a small percentage of those registered for service
are drafted. In the late 1980s, the combined strength of the armed forces was 28,000.
Economy
Although many of the largest mining operations were nationalized during the 1950’s, successive Bolivian governments have
encouraged private industrial development and actively sought foreign investment capital. Annual budget figures for the late
1980’s show revenues and expenditures balanced at about $2.9 billion.
Currency and Banking
The basic unit of currency is the boliviano equivalent to I million old Bolivian pesos (3.07 bolivianos equal U.S. $I; 1990). The
Banco Central de Bolivia is the sole bank of issue. Several state-owned development banks provide investment credits to small
mining and agricultural operations. Foreign and domestic private financial institutions also operate in the country.
Political Instability
The period after 1930 was marked by further internal strife. In that year, a revolution overthrew President Hernando Siles, who
had governed for two years without convening the national legislature. Daniel Salamanca, elected president in 1931, was
overthrown in 1934 by a clique under Vice President Tedjada Sorzano, who in turn was ousted by a military junta led by
Colonel David Toro. Toro was largely successful in his attempts to extricate the country from the desperate conditions resulting
from the world depression and the Chaco conflict with Paraguay. He made enemies, however, in influential quarters and in
1937 he was ousted by a group led by Lieutenant Colonel Germ?n Busch, chief of the general staff.
In 1938, during Busch’s second term as president, a new constitution was abolished. Busch abolished the new constitution in
April 1939, however, and set up a totalitarian state. Four months later he was found dead of a bullet wound, an alleged suicide.
General Carlos Quintanilla, who then assumed the presidency, restored the I938 constitution, and stated that the army would
exercise control until new elections could he held.
In 1940, General Enrique Pe?aranda was elected president, and on April 7, 1943 during World War II, he announced state of
war against the Axis powers In December 1943, Pe?aranda was ousted in a coup staged by the National Revolutionary
Movement (Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario, or MNR), a party that included pro-Axis sympathizers. The new
government, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Gualberto Villarroel, was compelled by economic pressures to maintain good
relations with the Allied power. Villarroel headed a totalitarian regime until he was overthrown and killed in July 1946.
The government continually faced opposition from both left and right, and after the discovery of a Communist plot early in
1950, the Communist party was outlawed.
Rule by Army
In the ensuing two years, the military government succeeded in instituting reforms in tin-mining operations, including reopening
the industry to private and foreign investment. Barrientos, who was elected to the presidency as a civilian in July 1966, was
forced, however, to depend heavily on armed force to put down Communist-led guerrilla movements concentrated in the
mountainous mining regions. The Bolivian army reportedly smashed the rebel forces in October 1967, in a pitched battle near
the village of Vallegrande. Che Guevara, aide to Cuban Premier Fidel Castro, was captured in that encounter and executed
shortly afterward. Barrientos was killed in the crash of a helicopter in April 1969 and a series of short-lived governments
followed, most led by military men. General Juan Jos? Torres Gonz?les was overthrown by Colonel Hugo Banzer Su?rez in
August 1971. The Banzer regime moved from an relatively moderate position to full military control in 1974. Banzer stepped
down in 1978, pending restoration of civilian government, but elections in 1979 and 1980 were each followed by renewed
military intervention. By 1982, the country?s earnings from tin production had declined, and foreign debt continued to rise. The
illegal export of cocaine was thriving, and the U.S. was pressing Bolivia to take decisive steps against the drug traffic.
In October 1982, Hern?n Siles Zuazo was declared as president; he faced several cabinet problems and was unable to resolve
problems brought on by international banks After an inconclusive popular election, Congress chose Victor Paz Estenssoro as
president in August l985. His government?s attempts to cut down coca production and the sale of cocaine, aided by a
contingent of U.S. troops from July to November 1986, were only partially successful and very unpopular. Jaime Paz Zamora,
who finished third in the popular election of May 1989, became president of Bolivia in August after winning a congressional