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Saturday 12 January 2013

Bolivia

Potosí was one of the most populated cities in the world in the 1570s. It is located in the Altiplano region of Bolivia, at an altitude of over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). The city was founded in 1545, after the discovery of a large silver deposit in the area.

Potosí's silver mine was one of the richest in the world, and it attracted miners and merchants from all over the world. The city's population grew rapidly, and it eventually exceeded 200,000 people.

The city of Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace), commonly known as La Paz, was founded on October 20, 1548 by the Spanish conquistadors at the site of the Native American settlement, Laja.

On July 16, 1809 the city of La Paz declared its independence from the Spanish Crown during the La Paz revolution and formed the Junta Tuitiva, the first independent government in Spanish America, led by Pedro Domingo Murillo.


The Republic of Bolivia was created in 1825 at the Congress of Upper Peru. Until 1825 Bolivia was known as the region of Charcas. 

Bolivia became landlocked in 1904 after losing the War of the Pacific. However, the country still observes the Day of the Sea, "where politicians give speeches and people listen to the recorded sound of seagulls."


When Juan Evo Morales Ayma was inaugurated as the 80th President of Bolivia on January 22, 2006, he became the country's first democratically elected, fully Amerindian leader.

In 2011 Bolivia passed its Law of Mother Earth, granting all of nature equal rights to humans.

In 2014, the 54-year-old Morales became the oldest active professional soccer player in the world after signing a contract for 214 dollars a month with Sport Boys Warnes, a team based in the south-eastern province of Santa Cruz.

Amidst allegations that Morales rigged the 2019 Bolivian general election, he resigned on November 10, 2019. Morales fled to Mexico and was granted asylum there.

Evo Morales. Photo by Roberto Stuckert Filho/

The highest navigable lake in the world is found in Bolivia at 3810 meters above sea level (that's 12,382.5 feet above sea level.) It takes six hours to cross Lake Titicaca on a fast hydrofoil. It's also one of the deepest lakes in the world.

The largest deposit of salt on Earth can be found in Bolivia. The Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni salt beds or salt flats) contain over 64 million tons of salt.

The Palacio de Sal Hotel and Spa in Uyuni, Bolivia is completely made out of salt.

The largest deposit of lithium in the world is found under all that salt. Major battery manufacturers are now interested in Bolivia because they want to extract the lithium to make long-lasting batteries for cars and mobile phones.

Bolivia is home to the Cerro Mutún, located in the department of Santa Cruz. It is the world's largest iron ore mine.

Bolivia is also home to the world's one and only known bolivianita mine. Bolivianita (ametrine) is a precious stone or gem that is partially yellow and partially purple. It's produced when citrine and amethyst combine.

The most dangerous road in the world is in Bolivia. It is called the "Death Road" (Spanish: "Carretera de la Muerte"). It is a 69-kilometer (43-mile) stretch of road that winds through the Andes mountains between La Paz and Coroico. The road is narrow and winding, with many hairpin turns and steep drops. It is also often foggy and wet, which makes it even more dangerous.

The Death Road is estimated to have claimed the lives of over 300 people since it was built in the 1930s. However, it is still in use today, as it is the only road that connects La Paz and Coroico.

Only about 28% of all roads in Bolivia are paved (mostly in the cities). The majority are unpaved, and they are often in poor condition

Bolivia is home to the two highest cities in the world. Potosí is the highest, and La Paz (see below) is the second highest and also the highest capital city.  


La Paz, Bolivia, was the first South American city to get an electricity supply. It was powered by llama dung.


Over 60% of the population is of Indian descent. -The biggest groups are the Quechua, Aymara, and Guarani Indians. -The Quechuas are descended from the Incas.

Bolivia has 37 official languages: Spanish and 36 indigenous languages, some of which are extinct. 

Many homes in Bolivia have a dried llama fetus buried under their foundations for good luck and protection.

The main exporter of Brazil nuts is not Brazil. It's Bolivia.

Native Bolivians eat saltenas. One of their delicacies is guinea pig. They also eat armadillo.

Sources http://www.boliviabella.com/facts.html
, Daily Express

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