Population – 9.5 million, Area – 424,164 sq mi (1,100,000 sq km), Currency – 1 Boliviano (BOB, Symbol: Bs), centavos, Flight times –The main flight routes involve transit in Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires or Miami for connections to La Paz and Santa Cruz. Flight time from London via Buenos Aires and Madrid is 16 hours, from Miami to Santa Cruz is 7 hours, Cities - Sucre (official capital), La Paz (administrative capital), Santa Cruz de la Sierra (largest city), Time Zone - GMT-4, Weather - Temperate, Languages – Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani, Religion – Primarily Roman Catholic with a Protestant minority and indigenous beliefs, Electricity - 110 and 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European two-pin (circular) plugs or US-style, two-pin (perpendicular flat) plugs.

Bolivia is known as the 'Tibet of the Americas', the highest and most remote of the countries in South America. It is a landlocked region with two Andean mountain ranges binding the high Plain, between them. This plain has an altitude ranging from 9,000ft to 13,000ft (3,000m to 4,000m) and is where the majority of the population live.

The capital of Bolivia is La Paz and is the largest Bolivian urban center. Bolivia is situated at the heart of South America.It borders with Brazil to the North and East, with Peru and Chile to the West, and Argentina and Paraguay to the South. Bolivia has nine departments: La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Potosí, Oruro, Tarija, Beni and Pando. These departments are divided into a total of 94 provinces and sub provinces, the country is also divided into 311 municipalities for local government purposes with city hall elections held every five years.

The road network which unites all nine of Bolivia's departments has a combined length of 41,696 Kms. (26,060 Miles). Recently completed road projects have improved links with neighboring countries and between the major cities.

The railroad system is composed of two separate networks one covering the Andean region (Red Andina) with connections to Chile, Peru and Argentina. The other network (Red Oriental) covers the lowland eastern region based on Santa Cruz with international connections to Argentina and Brazil.

The climate in Bolivia is fairly temperate due to the altitude, with cold nights and warm days. Temperatures get down to freezing on winter nights. Rain is likely over the summer months (November to March). Temperatures year round are cool to mild, the average in summer being 22°C and in winter 15°C.

El Alto International Airport (LPB) is situated eight miles (14km) south west of La Paz.

For city transfers, the Airport Coach leaves for La Paz every five minutes, and there are minibus and taxi services available. Airport facilities include a bank, bars, restaurant and duty-free shops.

Bolivia is known as the 'Tibet of the Americas', the highest and most remote of the countries in South America. It is a landlocked region with two Andean mountain ranges binding the high Plain, between them. This plain has an altitude ranging from 9,000ft to 13,000ft (3,000m to 4,000m) and is where the majority of the population live.

The capital of Bolivia is La Paz and is the largest Bolivian urban center. Bolivia is situated at the heart of South America.It borders with Brazil to the North and East, with Peru and Chile to the West, and Argentina and Paraguay to the South. Bolivia has nine departments: La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Potosí, Oruro, Tarija, Beni and Pando. These departments are divided into a total of 94 provinces and sub provinces, the country is also divided into 311 municipalities for local government purposes with city hall elections held every five years.

The road network which unites all nine of Bolivia's departments has a combined length of 41,696 Kms. (26,060 Miles). Recently completed road projects have improved links with neighboring countries and between the major cities.

The railroad system is composed of two separate networks one covering the Andean region (Red Andina) with connections to Chile, Peru and Argentina. The other network (Red Oriental) covers the lowland eastern region based on Santa Cruz with international connections to Argentina and Brazil.

The climate in Bolivia is fairly temperate due to the altitude, with cold nights and warm days. Temperatures get down to freezing on winter nights. Rain is likely over the summer months (November to March). Temperatures year round are cool to mild, the average in summer being 22°C and in winter 15°C.

El Alto International Airport (LPB) is situated eight miles (14km) south west of La Paz.

For city transfers, the Airport Coach leaves for La Paz every five minutes, and there are minibus and taxi services available. Airport facilities include a bank, bars, restaurant and duty-free shops.

Civilization in the Bolivian Andes is thought to stretch back some 21,000 years. The most influential Pre-Columbian cultures were the Tiahuanaco, who were based around Lake Titicaca and who ruled the region between AD 600-1200, and the Incas, who headed a vast empire comprising most of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and northern Chile.

Bolivian history from pre-Columbian times to the late 1980's. Bolivia was part of the Incan Empire from the 13th century until the Spanish conquered it in the 1500's. The Spanish discovered large amounts of silver which in the area, and that became the primary focus of the colony. The history of the republic of Bolivia reflects both its pre-Columbian and its colonial heritage. The ruins of Tiahuanaco testify to the first great Andean empire.

Bolivia is one of South America's more intriguing countries, as one with the most indigenous population on the continent, the majority of whom, still maintain their firmly established culture and beliefs. This living historical culture is one of the reasons that Bolivia is such an exciting tourist destination. Travelers will encounter shy people in traditional clothing, colourfully dressed and red-cheeked from the mountain air. The landscape is imbued with traditional houses and age-old methods of agriculture, and visitors will find remarkable traditions kept alive in the ancient techniques of weaving, handcraft and food production. The sounds of this cultural legacy echo in the haunting melodies of the panpipes from the high Altiplano or in the lively tunes emanating from the warmer lowlands.

A Tour of Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, bordered by Bolivia and Peru, is the birthplace of the Inca civilization and a must-see tourist destination for many visitors to South America. This photographic tour takes us from Puno, Peru to Copacabana, Bolivia, with stops at islands important to the Inca Empire, archaeological sites, the floating islands of the Uros and views of the magnificent scenery of earth, sky and deep, blue water.

Salar de Uyuni
The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia's southwestern altiplano is a high-altitude salt pan, considered the largest in the world, and a compelling destination for its wide open, blindingly white expanse, the lagoons with their coloful flamingos, a cacti-covered oasis and the famed salt hotel. Take this photographic tour and you won't need sunglasses, sunscreen or suffer altitude sickness!

Jesuit Missions of South America
The Jesuit Missions in South America began in Brazil, then spread to what is now Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay, with one in Uruguay. They are all on the tourist mission circuit, and a worthwhile visit to learn about Spanish and Portuguese colonial history.

Bolivia for Visitors
Expanded with updated and new information, photos and maps, this is a basic introduction to the many regions and touring possibilities in South America's landlocked country often called the "Tibet of South America."

Bolivia's National Parks
Bolivia, South America's highest landlocked country, has some of the most pristine, wild and rugged national parks, with a tremendous variety of wildlife species in their natural environments, on the continent.

Lake Titicaca
Sacred lake in Incan mythology and favored destination - find out why millions revere this lake.

La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz, one of the two capitals of Bolivia, nicknamed the city that touches the clouds, is one of the highest cities on earth and the center of Bolivian legislative government, culture and tourism.

Oruro
Oruro is called the folkloric capital of Bolivia for its adherence to traditional customs, including the famed Devil's Dance, or Diablada, performed during Carnaval. It also draws tourists to hot springs, the flamingos and other wildlife at Lake Poopó, desert mirages, volcanic activity, the great salt lakes at Coipasa and Salinas de Garcia Mendoza, and the rock formations at Pumiri.

Sucre
Called the City with Four Names, Sucre is the second capital of Bolivia, home to the Bolivian Supreme Court, a colonial heritage city with the one of the oldest universities in the Americas, intriguing attractions and a wealth of cultural traditions to entice the visitor.