Bolivia offers breathtaking panoramic views from the eternal glaciers of the Andes over the Amazon jungle. A unique legacy of millenary cultures within a clean and safe environment is complemented with the symbiosis of races. The smiling people are hospitable and proud of Bolivia's past. Last but not least, the country offers a most modern infrastructure and good connections with neighbor countries and beyond.

The most outstanding attractions are Lake Titicaca, the ruins of Tiwanacu, the colonial treasures of Sucre and Potosi, the ecology itself, and a large variety of special interest programs.

Bolivia is a country rich in biodiversity. Its three ecological steps include a wide variety of flora, fauna and landscapes from the Andes to the Amazon. National and international travelers alike can explore our many historic and ethnographic treasures. Bolivia has 32 ethnic groups, each with its own colourful expressions of cultural diversity. It also boasts 1340 tourist attractions and 300 archeological sites across the country. Bolivia is home to 66 of the 112 existing ecosystems and is one of the eight most biodiversified countries in the world. Its 31 protected areas include national parks, reserves, biological stations and wildlife sanctuaries. Its great cultural wealth (as seen in its colonial churches, for example) has prompted UNESCO to declare the following Heritage of Humanity cultural sites: the city of Potosí (1987), Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos (1990), historic city of Sucre (1991), fortress of Samaipata (1998), Tiwanaku (2000), Noel Kemff National Park (2000), Oruro Carnival (2002), and the Kallawaya culture (2003).

Bolivia in brief
Area: 425,807 sq. miles (1,098,581 sq. kilometers)
Population: Approx. 8,000,000
Government: Democratic.
Climate: Cool in the highlands, mild in the valley and warm in the lowlands.
Exports: minerals, wood, natural gas, agricultural products etc.
Languages: Spanish, native Aymara, Quechua as well as the Guarani dialects. English, French and German are generally spoken by many Bolivians.
Religion: Catholic, but freedom of worship is guaranteed by law.
Capital: Sucre (constitutional), La Paz (administrative)
Electricity: 110 and 220 volts, 50 cycles

Geographical location
Bolivia is the 5th largest country in South America, and is located in the heart of the continent. It is surrounded by Brazil to the Northeast, Paraguay to the Southeast, Argentina to the South, Chile to the Southwest, and by Peru to the West.

Diversity in landscapes
Bolivia has a vast diversity of landscapes, weathers, and a great flora and fauna biodiversity within one million square kilometers, as Alcides d'Orbigny described.

The country is divided into three regions, a plateau surrounded by the Andes at an altitude of 3500 meters, the valley and the Yungas from the Andean hillside, and jungles and llanos of the Oriental plains.

The Andean range crosses from North to South, forming the two principal ranges, the Occidental and Oriental or Real.
The Salar de Uyuni should also be taken into account for it's the biggest salt dessert in the world.

Unaccountable and caudal rivers and Lake Titicaca and Poopo's river basin in the Altiplano region form the fluid system.

History
Bolivia was the birthplace of the Aymaran civilization, prior to the Incas. Some of its traces can be seen at the archeological sights such as Tiwanacu, Chiripa, Samaipata, Iscanwaya, and others. Cities such as Potosi and Sucre, declared as human patrimony, show through their historical monuments the pass of the colonial era.

Currency
The currency used today is the boliviano, which comes in bills of 200, 100, 50, 20 and 5. Coins can be found in values of 5, 2 and 1 boliviano, besides 50, 20 and 10 cents. Foreign money, like traveler's checks, credit cards and American dollars, can be exchanged to bolivianos or vice versa at money exchange offices and banks.

Weather
The weather varies according to the different geographical regions. For example, in the Altiplano it is cold and the temperatures are between the 6 degrees. In cities such as La Paz, Oruro, Potosi, the temperatures reach from 5 to 12 degrees during winter and in summer they are between 8 and 18 degrees.

The Valleys have moderate temperatures, which vary around 15 degrees. Cities such as Cochabamba, Sucre, and Tarija have a nice climate, with temperatures varying from 8 to 18 degrees during the winter, and in the summer from 13 to 24 degrees. In the plains and jungles the climate is warm and humid, due to the abundant precipitation. Cities like Cobija, Santa Cruz and Trinidad have temperatures between 12 to 24 degrees in winter and 30 to 40 degrees during summer.

Transportation
Airlines:
Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano and Aerosur domestic and international flights connect Bolivia with almost all countries in South America.

Buses:
There's a wide variety of internal transportation that takes you through the country. Most of these are comfortable, especially the private buses that you can rent when you are with a determined number of people. These buses go to Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.

Vaccinations and others
Every foreigner visiting Bolivia must carry a valid passport, plus a tourist card valid for 90 days, which can be renewed for 90 days more at the immigration office.