Top 10 Most Interesting Facts About Bolivia

Bolivia is a landlocked country located in western-central South America. With 1,098,581 km² of area, Bolivia is the fifth largest country in South America. It is bordered to the north and east by Brazil, to the southeast by Paraguay, to the south by Argentina, to the southwest by Chile, and to the northwest by Peru. Bolivia is a constitutionally unitary state, divided into nine departments. The country's population, estimated at 11 million and Spanish is the official language.

Here is the collection of Top 10 Most Interesting Facts About Bolivia :-

1. 30 official languages :-

Bolivia is home to over 30 official languages. It include Spanish and several dozen indigenous languages. Spanish is the most widely-spoken language in the country. Indigenous languages includes Aymara, Quechua, Chiquitano, Guaraní; Bolivian Sign Language; and languages of immigrants such as Plautdietsch. All indigenous languages are official. In the Andes region, Spanish and Quechua are the main languages spoken, while in the Altiplano, Aymara is the more commonly spoken language.

2. Salar de Uyuni :-

Salar de Uyuni is home to the largest salt deposit in the world. It is spread over 10,582 km². Salar de Uyuni contains over 64 million tons of salt making it the largest deposit of salt on the planet. The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes that existed around forty thousand years ago but had all evaporated over time. Salar de Uyuni is one of Bolivia’s most popular tourist destinations. When it rains a thin layer of water is formed on the salt flat creating a reflective surface, thus making it the world’s largest natural mirror.

3. Bolivia named after Simón Bolívar :-

Bolivia is named after Venezuelan leader Simón Bolívar. Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader. He was a leader of several independence movements throughout South America, collectively known as Bolívar's War. He was Credited for leading the fight for independence of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia from the Spanish Empire. He is revered as a hero in these countries and throughout much of the rest of Hispanic America.

4. Landlocked country :-

Bolivia is one of two landlocked countries in South America. Bolivia has borders with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. Till 1879, Bolivia used to border South America’s Pacific coast. Since the country lost to Chile in the War of the Pacific, which fought during 1879-1883. Bolivia lost its territory on the Pacific coast.

5. Two Capital :-

Bolivia has more than one capital city. Bolivia technically has two capitals. One is called La Paz, but the legal capital of Bolivia is Sucre. La Paz houses the country’s seat of government and finance center.

6. Megadiverse Country :-

Bolivia is a mega-diverse country. Bolivia maintains vast, intact humid and dry forest ecosystems. A large range of ecosystems thrive in Bolivia due to the country’s climate and location in the tropics. Bolivia is a safe haven for amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, and plants that have not been found anywhere on Earth. 40% of all animal and plant life on the planet can be found in Bolivia. Madidi National Park alone contains 90 species of bat, 50 species of snake, 300 fish and 12,000 plants. Bolivia has designated more than 17 percent of its land as protected areas.

7. San Pedro prison :-

San Pedro prison in Bolivia is a famous tourist attraction for many people. This prison is unique because it allows its inmates to live with their own families. They work, earn and sometimes even buy or rent their accommodation in the prison. There is a thriving sense of community there. Prison operates like a small village or neighborhood, with its own courtyard, restaurants, markets, and services.

8. Flag of Bolivia :-

The flag of Bolivia was only officially adopted on October 31, 1851. Bolivia's flag has meaning. It features 3 horizontal stripes. The top stripe is red, the middle is yellow, while the bottom is green. Moreover, the yellow stripe features the coat of arms of Bolivia right in the center of the flag. Red represents the bloodshed from the fight for independence. Yellow symbolises the wealth and mineral deposits of Bolivia. And, green stands for the amazing agriculture and environment of the country.

9. Highest :-

Bolivia is home to the world's highest city, the world's highest lakes, the world's highest forest and the world's highest country. Bolivia is the highest country in South America. Bolivia is home to the world’s highest large city El Alto. It stands at an elevation of 4,150 m or 13,615 ft with a population of 1,184,942. Bolivia is home to the world's highest forest Sajama National Park. It sits at a height of 3,900 meters above sea level. Shared by Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca stands at 3,810 m or 12,507 ft above sea level.

10. Brazil Nuts :-

Most Brazil nuts come from Bolivia. But, Brazil began to export nuts earlier than Bolivia, giving the international commercial name to this product. 70% of the world's Brazil nut supply comes from Bolivia. The country exports around 20 million tonnes of Brazil nuts to Brazil, the U.S., and Europe.