All you need to know about Bolivia
Bolivia is a country of many different landscapes, cultures and climates.
Bolivia Salt Flats. Photo credit: Shutterstock.
The geography of Bolivia
Bolivia has a great variety in landscapes, all stunning in their own uniqueness and definitely worth a visit:
The Highlands are covering 28% of the territory. This area is more than 3,000 m above sea level, located between the two Andean ranches: the Western or Volcanic mountain ranges and the Oriental or Real one, which have some of the highest mountains in America. Here, the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, is located. This impressive lake is situated 3,812 m above the sea level and is located right on the border of Peru and Bolivia.
Lake Titicaca. Photo credit: Shutterstock.
The Valleys and Yungas are regions between the highlands and the eastern lowlands covering 13% of the territory, and includes the valleys and the Yungas with an altitude of 2,500 m. It characterizes by its agriculture and warm temperature climate.
The Tropical Lowlands are covering 59% of the national territory and located on the north of the Royal range mountain and extending from the bottom of the Andes to the Amazon River. It is characterized by the richness of flora and fauna and the largest rainforest, known as the Amazon, in the world.
The Amazon river. Photo credit: Shutterstock.
Bolivia’s differences in climate
Bolivia has very big differences in climates that depend essentially on their different altitudes more than its distance from the Equator. The winter in Bolivia is from May to August and the summer and also the rainy season is from November to March.
In the Highlands the temperatures can be considered as relatively cold. The temperatures are not unlikely to drop below 0 at night but the temperatures can be pleasure during the day with an average of 18° C. Compared to the Highlands, the Valles have a mild climate with averages ranging from 5 ° C to 25 ° C at an altitude ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 m. Want to visit the Amazon? Then prepare yourself for heat and humidity all year around. The rains are frequent in the Amazon throughout the year.
The tropical rainforest in Bolivia. Photo credit: Shutterstock.
A varied population
With only 10,027,260 inhabitants Bolivia is a very sparsely populated country with 9 inhabitants per km2. Despite his rigorous dry and cold weather, the Altiplano has always been the most populated region with 40% of the population. This is because of the great cultural, agricultural and mystical development in this region.
Life in the Altiplano. Photo credit: Shutterstock.
Bolivia counts 32 different ethnic groups which compromise more than half of the population. This will allow you to experience different cultures and traditions in one country. The biggest of these ethnic groups are the Mestizos, followed by people from European descent. Spanish is the language spoken most among the local population followed by the native languages of Quechua and Aymara.
The abundant wildlife
As all previous aspects of Bolivia, also the wildlife knows a great variety. In the Highlands, there are several species of Andean camels, Llamas (Bolivians most representative animal) and Alpaca’s.
LLamas in Bolivia. Photo credit: Shutterstock.
Furthermore, in the highlands there are guanacos and chinchillas to be discovered. The most representative bird of the Andes is the Condor, whose majestic flight and the large size of its wings make him the king of the Highlands. There are also numerous of different eagle species flying around the peaks of the Andes.
When visiting the Amazon, the wildlife can be a bit more dangerous with various types of cats such as jaguars and pumas. The tropical rainforest is also home to many other animals such as monkeys, tapirs, caimans, various snakes, water turtles, toucans, macaws, parrots and hummingbirds.
Monkeys in the Amazon. Photo credit: Shutterstock.
Read on about the must see highlights of Bolivia or take a look here to explore Bolivia yourself!
