Concept in Definition ABC

This South American country achieved its independence in 1825. Its flag has three colors: red represents the blood shed to achieve independence, yellow symbolizes mineral wealth and green refers to natural heritage.

As for its territorial extension, it is double that of Spain. His population density is very low, since in its territory there are just over 10 million inhabitants (60% of the population is indigenous).

Although the most widespread language is Spanish, other languages ​​are also spoken, such as Quechua, Aymara and Guaraní. It has two capitals: a historical and judicial one (Sucre) and another politics where is the headquarters of the government (Peace). Its denomination as nation It comes from the liberator Simón Bolívar.

Curiosities about the Andean country

- Between the borders of Bolivia and Peru is Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on the planet.

- The La Paz bus terminal was designed by Auguste Eiffel, the same engineer who designed the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris.

- In the world of wrestling there is a genuinely Bolivian modality: the cholita fight (it comes from the cholas, the indigenous women with traditional clothing).

- The typical Bolivian hats are the same traditionally worn by British gentlemen in the 19th century. It is a bowler hat widely used by the female indigenous community. There are all kinds of stories and versions about how they became a national symbol.

- The largest salt desert in the world is located in the Uyuni salt flat, which has an area of ​​10,582 square kilometers.

- Another of the world records associated with the country is in the city of Cochabamba, where the statue of Cristo de la Concordia stands (it has a height that exceeds 34 m).

- The absence of a natural outlet to the sea comes from the War of the Pacific (1879-1883). Since then, Bolivia has claimed Chile's access to the sea and the territorial dispute between the two nations is a conflict international that tries to be solved in the Court of The Hague.

"This is worth a potosí"

The expression indicates that something has great economic value. It is a very popular statement in Spain and refers to the Bolivian city of Potosí, a place where the Spanish conquerors obtained great wealth from the deposits minerals.

In Cervantes's Don Quixote there is an explicit reference to the great riches of the Potosí mines.

In 1987 this city in the Bolivian highlands was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (in 2014 this category was modified and it became a World Heritage Site in danger, as the uncontrolled deposits of silver and tin endanger the cultural heritage from the city).

Fotolia photos: anna_sea / pdesmettre

Topics in Bolivia