Bolivia

Landlocked Bolivia is the size of California and Texas combined and is bordered by Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay. The republic is home to more than 9,000,000 inhabitants, almost two-thirds of which live below the poverty line.  Given the vast size of the country and its small number of inhabitants, Bolivia has the lowest population density in all the Americas.  This density ranges from less than one person per square kilometer in the southeastern plains to about ten per square kilometer in the central highlands.  

Much of the land is inhospitable as it boasts some of the highest, most isolated, coldest, warmest, windiest, driest and saltiest spots in the world.  From the dramatic snow peaked mountains and bleak high altitude deserts of the Andes to the lush rainforests and enormous savannas of the Amazon basin, Bolivia embraces an incredible range of landscapes and climates.  Not only does it have an astounding array of ecological zones, but also a huge ethnic and cultural diversity; the majority of the population is indigenous and the strength of the Amerindian culture is perhaps greater here than anywhere else in Latin America.       

Although, Bolivia is immensely rich in natural resources, the average per capita income is only $2,800.  When compared to a mean of $8,200 for other Latin American countries, Bolivia is the poorest country in South America. These conditions make it nearly impossible for the people of Bolivia to adequately plan for the future, and basic necessities such as health care and education are often out of reach.

There are many reasons for Bolivia’s continued economic stagnation.  The plummet in the price of tin in the early 1980’s is often cited as a major factor in the decline of the Bolivian economy. This was followed by another economic blow in the late 1980s and early 1990s when western countries withdrew much of their aid. And perhaps the most important factor contributing to Bolivia’s economy instability was the U.S. sponsored eradication of coca.  The reduction of the coca crop caused a great loss of income to the Bolivian economy, especially to the country’s poorest classes.   

Bolivia’s poverty can have somewhat of a deterring affect on South American tourists. This, however, has made Bolivia one of the best-kept secrets in travel, as it is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural wonders and remains one of the safest places to travel in the Americas.