Population Density
8.4 per sq km.
Capital
Constitutional: Sucre. Population: 288,290 (2007).
Administrative: La Paz. Population: 839,900 (2007).
Geography
Bolivia is a landlocked country bordered by Peru to the northwest, Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina and Paraguay to the south and Chile to the west. There are three main areas: the first is a high plateau known as the ‘Altiplano', a less fertile but populous region lying approximately 4,000m (13,000ft) above sea level. The second area is a fertile valley situated 1,800m (5,900ft) to 2,700m (8,850ft) above sea level, which is less populous but more productive. The third area comprises the lowland tropics that stretch down to the frontiers with Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, where the tropical climate and heavy rainfall foster lush vegetation and exotic produce.
Language
The official language is Spanish, but the main indigenous languages are Quechua, Aymará and Guaraní. English is often spoken by a small number of officials and businesspeople in commercial centres.
Religion
Primarily Roman Catholic with a Protestant minority and indigenous beliefs.
