Last Updated on March 11, 2023 by worldoftravelswithkids
Looking for some fun facts about Bolivia? Look no further! Bolivia is home to a starkly dramatic landscape, with the snowy peaks of the Andean Mountains, the lush Amazon rainforest, and the bare plateaus of the Atacama Desert. Surrounded by land on all sides, it has no coast. But what Bolivia lacks in beaches, it makes up for with its rich wildlife, vast salt flats, thrilling jungle cruises, colourful culture, and llamas. Loads of them!
And, here you go with the first fun facts about Bolivia, despite having no coast, Bolivia does have a navy! There are a lot of things that make Bolivia a fascinating place. We will discover those with these 27 fun facts about Bolivia.
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Why Have I Shared my Love of Bolivia?
My first trip to Bolivia – or maybe it was the second – (I have kind of lost count!) was supposed to be by boat from Puerto Maldonado deep into the Amazon Rainforest. Given we couldn’t find a boat, we instead took a car to a remote town, crossed into Brazil (there was no border outpost) and then back into Bolivia at some point. Our passports never showed we were in Brazil, and that’s what I love about the deep Amazon and these areas – borders don’t really matter. And boy do I love the Bolivian jungle! It’s one of the wildest places on earth and amazing.
During my first years in Cusco Peru, I didn’t have Peruvian residency. I had to leave Peru to renew my visa, and my go-to destination was La Paz, Bolivia. I wouldn’t know how many times I visited Bolivia, but I love the wildness of it. It’s the place where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, as well as Che Guevara, met their ends. It’s a place of massive mountains (I summited 6088-metre Huayna Potosi once). I also soaked in hot springs in plains, and of course the Salars! Not just Salar de Uyuni, but the Salar de Coipasa. One of my favourite adventures of all time as we wandered the back roads of Bolivia in a woefully tiny and ill-equipped 4Wd.
Oh yeah, and more illegal border crossings as we went in search of a spare tire in Chile. Yes, Bolivia is a land where adventure is still possible, and travel is still quite difficult. We love it.
Fun Facts About Bolivia
Did you know Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in the Americas? Or that it has more than a dozen official languages and more than one capital city? How about it has one of the world’s strangest tourist attractions, an active jail?
Bolivia is not only naturally beautiful but is also full of things waiting for you to discover. Here are interesting facts about Bolivia to entertain, intrigue, and quench your curiosity.
1. Where is Bolivia Located?
Located in the heart of Latin America, Bolivia is one of two landlocked South American countries (along with Paraguay), with no direct access to an ocean. It is the fifth largest country in the continent, with an area of 424,164 sq miles, which stretches from the Central Andes to the Amazon.
Though Bolivia is considered a highland country, only a third of its territory is in the Andes Mountains. An estimated 70% of Bolivia’s population lives in the Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz areas.
2. Bolivia Has Two Capital Cities – La Paz and Sucre
Bolivia is one of the 12 countries in the world with more than one capital city. Sucre is Bolivia’s official capital, serving as the seat of the Supreme Court or the judicial branch of the government. The city is also a UNESCO world heritage site, and a beautiful place to visit.
La Paz is the country’s political centre and administrative capital, where the executive (president) and legislative (senate) branches operate. Want some interesting La Paz Bolivia facts? La Paz is the world’s highest capital city at 3,650 metres above sea level.
3. What is Bolivia’s National Animal?
Or should I say animals? Just as Bolivia has two capitals, it also has two national animals. They are the Andean condor, like nearby Peru, and the llama.
Llamas can grow up to 1.8 metres and weigh around 200 kg. They have an average lifespan of 20 and live in herds. Llamas look cute and cuddly with their woolly coat, but they are sturdy and can withstand the harsh conditions of the mountains. Want to learn more about llamas? Read Fun Llama Facts for Kids and Inquisitive Adults.
4. Another Fun Fact is That Five Countries Border Bolivia
Five countries surround Bolivia. Brazil borders Bolivia to the north and east, while Paraguay fringes it to the southeast. In the south of Bolivia is Argentina, Peru to the west, and Chile to the southwest.
Alongside Paraguay, Bolivia is one of only two landlocked nations in South America and the seventh largest landlocked country on earth. But do you know that Bolivia wasn’t always landlocked? Here’s another interesting Bolivia fun fact for you. The country lost access to the ocean after a war with Chile in 1884. This is why they keep their Navy. Apparently to keep their hopes alive of one day re-gaining access to the coast!
5. Who is Bolivia Named After?
Bolivia got its name from Venezuelan military and political leader Simón Bolivar who led a war against Spanish rule. He helped free five countries – Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
He then gave his chief lieutenant Antonia Jose de Sucre the options to unite Charcas, the old name of Bolivia, with the newly-formed Peru Republic, join the United Provinces of Rio de la Plata (now Argentina) or become an independent state. Sucre chose independence and named the country in honour of Simón Bolívar. A 2009 constitution changed the country’s name to the Plurinational State of Bolivia to reflect its multi-ethnic nature.
6. What is the Native Culture of Bolivia?
The present-day Aymara people consider themselves to be the native culture of Bolivia. However, the area was inhabited by a more ancient civilization for over two thousand years before the Aymara arrived.
If you read the information on the web, you read that while Aymara is the dominant culture in Bolivia, this is definitely true of the mountain areas but not of the Amazon jungles.
7. Just How Poor is Bolivia?
Though considered a middle-income country, Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America. According to the World Bank, 36.4% of the population (4.3 million) are poor. Most live in rural areas, where 80% live below the poverty line.
The country, however, is rich in natural gas and raw mining materials, such as lead and silver. It remains poor mainly because it relies too much on small-scale agriculture. In addition, it lacks quality education, infrastructure, and good-paying jobs.
8. What are the Main Industries in Bolivia?
Bolivia’s two chief industries are mining and petroleum. It is a leading exporter of natural gas, which is 43% of its total exports. Its other products are raw minerals, food and beverages, tobacco, jewelry, handicrafts and textiles.
Tourism has become a vital industry in Bolivia as 1.24 million tourists arrived in 2019, its highest. The number of arrivals dropped to 217,000 in 2021 but still contributed $1.43 billion to the economy. Bolivia’s most popular attractions are the salt pans like the Salar de Uyuni, Potosi, Madidi National Park, La Paz, and Tiwanaku.
9. Bolivia has an Incredibly Diverse Plant and Animal Life
One of the most interesting Bolivia facts is that Bolivia’s biodiversity is considered one of the greatest in the world. It is home to over 17,000 species of seed plants, 4,000 types of potatoes, 3,000 kinds of medicinal plants, and 2,000 species of orchids, of which 25% is unique to Bolivia. Capsicum pepper originated in Bolivia and possibly peanuts, beans, and yucca.
There are 2,900 animal species living in Bolivia, including 398 mammals, 204 amphibians, 635 freshwater fish, and 277 reptiles. It also has over 3,000 species of butterflies and more than 60 domestic animals. Bolivia has 1,400 bird species, making it the planet’s sixth-richest country for bird diversity.
10. Why are Bowler Hats Associated with Bolivia?
The bowler hat is a central part of the traditional clothing of Bolivia’s indigenous Aymara and Quechua women. Alongside long braids, colourful shawls and vibrant pleated skirts, usually with five layers of petticoats underneath, the costume is one of the most iconic symbols of the Central Andes.
The bowler hat first made its way to Bolivia in the 1800s through a British railway company that ordered some hats for their workers. The hats turned out to be too small, so the workers sold them to the locals. The women took the hats and turned them into a statement piece.
11. What is a Cholita?
In Spanish, ‘Cholita’ means a young Bolivian woman. But, in the Bolivian context, it refers to a person who is part of an indigenous culture. They are known for their distinct traditional costume, which includes the bowler hat. If the hat is on the top of the head, it means the woman is married, and if it’s on the side, the woman is single.
In the past, Cholitas faced discrimination because of their presumed lower socioeconomic status. Now, most people recognize them as clever and hard-working entrepreneurs.
12. Why Are They Famous for Wrestling?
Cholita wrestling is a theatrical bout between flashily dressed female fighters. It is a way for indigenous women and/or victims of domestic violence to empower themselves, find friends, and relieve stress. It is also a way of battling gender stereotypes and very real discrimination against Cholitas.
Most wrestling matches typically start with a man attacking a woman. After a series of body-slamming, high-flying acrobatics, punching, kicking, and hair-pulling, the Cholita always wins at the end of the fight.
13. Bolivia is a Land of Extremes
Bolivia is not only the land of extreme adventure but also extreme landscape contrasts and extreme weather. It has the highest city, the highest navigable lake, and the world’s largest salt flat. Its infamous Death Road is the most dangerous on the planet and is very popular among thrill-seeking mountain bikers and cyclists.
And here is another one of those fun facts about Bolivia. The country has the highest number of llamas, accounting for 58% of the world’s population.
14. The world’s most dangerous road is in Bolivia.
You read that right – the world’s most dangerous road is found in Bolivia, and tourists can join a tour and ride it! I know, of all the crazy things to do you … you can ride the road to Coroico.
15. Che Guevara Was Executed in Bolivia
Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, the Argentine Marxist revolutionary whose face sold more posters than anyone else in history, was caught, slain, and buried in Bolivia. Guevara planned to start a communist revolution in South America, with Bolivia as the base.
Bolivian soldiers, backed by the US military, captured him on October 8, 1967. The next day, they put him to death and laid his body in an unmarked grave.
15. There is a Large Mennonite Population in Bolivia
As of 2013, there are around 70,000 Mennonites in Bolivia, living in 75 colonies across the country. They are members of a conservative Christian group that originated in Western Europe in the 16th century.
The first Mennonite families migrated to Bolivia between 1954 and 1957 with the promise of freedom of religion, access to private schools and exemption from military service. They are still very evident when travelling in the Santa Cruz area.
16. Did Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Really Die in Bolivia?
Butch Cassidy (Robert Leroy Parker) and the Sundance Kid (Harry Alonzo Longabaugh) were notorious outlaws who robbed banks and trains in the Rocky Mountains in the 1890s. They fled to Argentina in 1901, where they ran a ranch, but were back to robbing banks four years later.
Many historians claim Butch and Sundance died in a gunfight with police in a rented hut in San Vicente, a town in Bolivia near the Argentinian border. Their bodies, however, were never recovered. This started the rumour that they survived and escaped back to the United States. We visited the hut where the outlaws were supposed to have died in 2004 and what an isolated desolate place it was! Far from a tourist attraction, it was simply a windswept mining shack in the remote mountains of Bolivia.
17. Bolivia has the World’s Largest Silver Deposit
Cerro Rico, the world’s richest silver deposit, is part of the Andes and towers over the city of Potosi. It has been mined since 1545, producing 3 billion oz of pure silver over the last 500 years. Experts believe much silver still remains in the mines.
Located at 4000m/13,290 feet, Potosi is also one of the world’s highest cities. Though it remains a cold mining town, it has become a famous tourist destination with its well-preserved colonial architecture and lovely setting.
18. Why is Coca Important in Bolivia?
The coca leaf is vital to the Andean culture. Locals use it for religious ceremonies and medicinal purposes, such as treating colds, asthma, and altitude sickness. It also relieves fatigue, suppresses hunger, and boosts physical performance.
Bolivia produces around 40 to 45% of the world’s supply of coca leaves. Seventy per cent of this comes from the Chapare tropical rainforest in Cochabamba. The country is also the third largest producer of cocaine, a drug manufactured from coca leaves.
While Bolivia is famous for the salt flats and the dizzyingly high altitudes of La Paz, much of Bolivia is low altitude and jungle. We travelled for weeks in the jungles of Bolivia back in 2002. Including a search for what the Bolivians described the worlds most beautiful place (it wasn’t but it was an adventure to get there)!
19. Tourists Can Visit the Inside of a Jail in Bolivia
Dubbed the world’s strangest prison, the San Pedro Prison in La Paz was once a ‘secret’ tourist attraction, offering tours to backpackers. The man who started it all was convicted cocaine smuggler Thomas McFadden. Inside the prison walls is a society with shops, restaurants, and rented cells where prisoners live with their families.
Nowadays, it is illegal to tour the prison, though rumours say you can bribe the right people to get in. If you are interested in San Pedro, there are free walking tours around the area and the park outside.
20. Famous Bolivian People
Evo Morales and Antonio Sucre are not the only famous Bolivians.
Here are other famous Bolivian people:
- Jaime Escalante (educator)
- Ximena Herrera (actress)
- Verona Pooth (TV personality)
- Juan Carlos Arce (football player)
- Lidia Gueiler Tejada (political leader)
- Bartolina Sisa (revolutionary)
- Tupac Katari (revolutionary)
- Julia Urquidi (writer)
- Oscar Ichazo (writer, scientist)
- Marina Nuñez del Prado (sculptor, painter).
21. What was Unique about Evo Morales?
The son of poor Aymara farmers, Evo Morales was the 65th and the first indigenous president of Bolivia. During his time from 2006 to 2019, he reduced poverty by nearly 50%, tripled the GDP, increased the literacy rate, and improved the rights of the indigenous people.
On November 10, 2019, Morales stepped down as president after weeks of mass protests following accusations of election fraud. After spending a year in exile in Argentina, he returned to Bolivia after his handpicked successor Luis Arce won the 2020 presidential election.
22. There are 37 Official Languages in Bolivia
Spanish is Bolivia’s official and predominant language, but it isn’t the only one. The country has 36 other official languages, all of them indigenous.
Among these are Aymara, Guarani, Quechua, and Chiquitano. Now that’s one of the coolest facts about Bolivia!
23. Traditional Cuisine in Bolivia
The traditional cuisine in Bolivia is a mixture of Spanish and indigenous cooking techniques using local ingredients. There are also some Italian, French, German, and Arabic influences from recent immigrants.
Most traditional Bolivian cuisine uses corn, potatoes, beans, and quinoa combined with staples introduced by the Spanish, including rice, beef, pork and chicken. Anticucho (skewered beef or chicken hearts), cocadas, and the national dish salteñas are some of the most popular foods in Bolivia.
24. Common Drinks in Bolivia
Bolivia’s most popular drink is singani, a distinct grape brandy produced in the country’s high plateaus. The best way to drink singani is with ice and a slice of lime, though it also goes well with some cocktails.
Not old enough to drink singani? Here are some Bolivia facts for kids for something non-alcoholic. Chicha de piña is a refreshing, fizzy pineapple drink that is popular not only in Bolivia but also across South America. Then, there’s mocochinchi, a dehydrated peach cider with raisins, orange juice, and lemon zest.
25. What Kind of Music is Popular in Bolivia
Like most South American countries, Bolivia’s musical preferences have Spanish influences combined with Afro beats and indigenous traditions.
Morenada, caporales, tobas, and kullawada, chacarera, and cueca are among the most prominent Bolivian musical forms.
26. Bolivia is Home to Salar De Uyuni
Spanning 10,582 square kilometres, the stunning Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat on the earth. It also has the largest salt deposit in the world. In the wet season, rain turns the salt flat into a seemingly endless mirror.
Here are more Bolivia interesting facts: On the shores of Salar de Uyuni is a salt hotel known as Palacio de Sal or Palace of Salt. This luxury accommodation has walls, furniture, sculptures, and ceilings made of salt.
27. Bolivia’s Lake Titicaca is the Largest Lake in South America
Tucked in the border between Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest and largest navigable lake. It sits at 3812 m/ 12,507 feet above sea level and is the biggest lake in South America in terms of area and water volume.
Another fascinating Bolivia fact: Titicaca Lake is sacred to Andean people , and Incas believed it was the birthplace of their first king and the sun. Isla del Sol, an island in the lake, has ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and scenic hikes.
Want to learn more about the Inca peoples? Facts About The Incas For Kids is a must-read.
The Verdict – Facts About Bolivia
Rugged, complex, and diverse, Bolivia is an intriguing and stunning place. Its rich history and equally rich culture make it even more unique. We hope these Bolivia facts and information helped you learn more about this gem of a country.
Have any interesting facts about Bolivia you would like to share? Leave a message in the comments below.
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