Bolivia is a republic in South America. It has a total area of 1,098,580 km2. The climate varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semi-arid. The terrain is comprised of high plateaus, hills, and lowland plains.
Bolivia has long been famed for its mineral wealth, especially silver and gold, the total value of these metals produced between 1545 and 1875 being estimated at nearly 400,000,000 pounds sterling. The annual produce in the 19th century was still several millions sterling in value. Natural resources include tin, natural gas, crude oil, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron ore, lead, gold and timber. The religion is 95% Roman Catholic with an active Protestant minority, especially Evangelical Methodist. The language is Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara all of which are official.
Bolivia was part of the Inca civilisation until it was conquered by Spain in 1538. Bolivia under the Spaniards long formed part of the viceroyalty of Peru, latterly it was joined to that of La Plata or Buenos Ayres. Its independent history commences with the year 1825, when the republic was founded. As a result of the war with Chile in 1879, Bolivia lost her coastal territory of about 29,000 square miles.
The constitution was drawn up by Simon Bolivar, in whose honour the state was named Bolivia; and was adopted by Congress in 1826. It has since undergone important modifications. The aboriginal inhabitants of Boliviar are the Aymaras and the Quichuas; the larger portion of the population are Mestizos or descendants of the original settlers by native women.
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
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