Bolivia
17 00 S, 65 00 W
lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m
highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m
total: 6,940 km
border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,423 km, Chile 860 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 1,075 km
flooding in the northeast (March-April)
tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower
arable land: 2.78%
permanent crops: 0.19%
other: 97.03% (2005)
the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation
Bolivia has a temperate climate but with wide differences between day and night. The wettest period is November to March, which, in extreme circumstances, may induce landslides in mountainous areas, and cause certain roads to become impassable. The northeast slopes of the Andes are semi-tropical. Visitors often find La Paz uncomfortable because of the thin air due to high altitude. The mountain areas can become very cold at night.
Required clothing
Lightweight linens with a raincoat. A light overcoat is necessary at night, particularly in the Altiplano and the Puna.
time difference: UTC-4
note: Sucre (constitutional capital)
