(WIPO code: BO) (last revised December 2022)

by BOLET & TERRERO, La Paz

General Information

Area

1,098,580 sq. km.

Population

12,054,379 (2022).

Capitals

(nominal/judicial): Sucre with 278,000 inhabitants (2022); effective capital (administrative), seat of government: La Paz with 1,908,000 inhabitants (2022).

Languages

Spanish and indigenous languages.

Currency

Boliviano.

Most important agricultural products

Quinoa, soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; Brazil nuts; timber.

Industries

Mining, smelting, petroleum, gas, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing, jewelry.

Imports

Wheat, flour, machinery, computers, vehicles, petroleum products, plastics, iron and steel products, prepared foods and other manufactured articles. The products mainly come from Chile, Brazil, Argentina, the United States, China and other European and South American countries.

Exports

Tin, gold, wolfram, silver, copper, rice, sugar, soybeans and soy products, rubber, bismuth, antimony, lead, wool, hides, coca, coffee, tobacco, quinine bark and quinine sulphate, a great deal of raw materials, crude petroleum, natural gas and mineral oils. Bolivia’s principal customers are Brazil, the United States, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Great Britain, Germany, etc.

General Remarks

La Paz is the highest important city in the world, over 12,000 feet above sea level (3,500 to 4,200 meters). The name Bolivia commemorates Simon Bolivar (1788-1830), the liberator of five South American nations, in recognition of his immortal services to the State.

More than 50% of the population is native; 15% are white and 30% are of mixed blood.