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| Bolivia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The road Santa Cruuz de La Sieera/ Sucre 16 hours of beatiful cenary The road Santa Cruuz de La Sieera/ Sucre 16 hours of beatiful cenary André Ricardo Guenzen The historic heartland of Bolivia lies on the 3700 meters high plains around Lake Titicaca. This is the cradle of Altiplano civilisation: the sacred Lake gave birth to the founders of the Inca Empire, and at its shores lays Tiwanaku, where the roots of Andean culture were invented. When the Spanish arrived, attention shifted to the South. The biggest bounty of their colonial plundering was found there in Potosi. The amount of silver found in the Cerro Rico was enough to create a city bigger than London and richer than Paris at an altitude of 4000 meters, and is believed to have fired off the industrial revolution in Western Europe. As still is the case today, profits left the country at an alarming rate. When the mine started to run out, Bolivia was left with two poor cities in the most wonderful of clothes. Potosi is still struggling to survive, whereas nearby official capital Sucre now is the most cosy and developed city in the country. As the silver ran out, attention shifted to trading centre La Paz, the other capital: the most scenically located city, and the highest capital in the world. Today it’s a poor but bustling metropolis with almost two million inhabitants and a rich traditional and modern cultural and gastronomic scene. Capital of agriculture used to be Cochabamba, the city with the best climate in the world (alt. about 2000 m). A good place to live, the city doesn’t offer too much for tourists, but it’s a good base to visit the Chaparé jungle or the Toro Toro national park. Economically, attention shifted from the highlands to the flat and fertile lowlands. Integrating its development with Brazil, agriculture surged since the 1950s. Complemented by finds of gas and trade in cocaine, this made the city of Santa Cruz the new economical capital. Roughly similar in size to La Paz, it stays a relatively quiet and well-organized town, with a lot of modern day comforts. It’s also the base to head to the jungle at the Andean foothills in Buena Vista or Samaipata and the start of the train to the Pantanal on the frontier with Brazil (the northernmost easy crossing between Brazil and the Andes). Bolivian modern day culture is a unique mix of thousand year old traditions, Spanish influences and globalisation. Capital of folklore is the Altiplano mining town of Oruro, where there is a citywide party going on at least once a week, but which complete explodes with music, dancing and drinking for Carnival in February. Don’t miss it if you’ve got the opportunity. At 5 km from the city is the Uru Uru lake: you can drive through it with the train to the South or go flamingo spotting at the Puente Español. The best and cheapest jungle tours of South America are in Rurrenabaque, at the first ripple of the Andes. Starting at 15 US$ a day you can visit the Amazon forest, where you’ll see several types of monkeys, 10% of the worlds birds species and even pumas if you’re lucky,… In the nearby wetlands you can spot the biggest rodent in the world (the capybara) or take a chance and swim with the river dolphins (which scare the harmless caiman away). On the road there, you first cross the Cordillera Real de los Andes, with several peaks over 6000 meters high, before plunging into the jungle. Here you’ll find the small capital of relaxation, Coroico. The 2000 people village is blessed with an excellent subtropical climate, forested mountains, million dollar views, great hotels and restaurants, several Inca trails and a lot of walking and cycling opportunities. A good base for short and long treks in the Cordillera Real is the northern village of Sorata. One of the biggest tourist attractions of the country lies in the Southern Altiplano: the South-West Circuit is a surreal four day experience along a colourful desert, flamingo filled lakes and the largest salt flats in the world. No excuse is valid to miss it. The small southern city of Tupiza is a good place to wave goodbye to Bolivia. The landscape comes right out of a Western, and lends itself to the best horseback riding in South America with excellently bred and kept Argentine horses. Bolivia is one of two landlocked countries in South America; Paraguay is the other. Bolivia is bordered by Peru and Chile in the west, Argentina and Paraguay in the south and Brazil in the north and east. The western 1/3 part of the country consists of the Andean Highlands where the two ranges of the Andes mountains divide to form a high altitude plain called the puna or altiplano. Here you’ll find (from north to south) Lake Titicaca, Tiwanaku, La Paz, Oruro, Sucre, Potosi, Salar de Uyuni and Tupiza. The lowland eastern portion of Bolivia, also called the Oriente, is the tropical Amazon basin which has a hot, humid climate. Economically progressive Santa Cruz is the largest city in this area. Other important places are Trinidad and Rurrenabaque. Dividing the cold highlands from the tropical lowlands are the Andean valley areas including the Yungas (see Coroico) and Cochabamba. Bolivia has the distinction of having the highest capital city in the world. La Paz sits at an altitude of between 3700 and 4100 m. Potosi is even higher. Santa Cruz on the other hand, is located at only 416 m above sea level. Within a matter of hours, it is possible for overland travellers to pass through three and even four climatic zones. Bolivia is essentially an Indian nation. The population of the country is for the most part of indigenous origin. Approximately 40 percent are Quechuas, the descendents of the Incas. Another 25 percent are Aymara who populate the area around Lake Titicaca, the Yungas and Oruro. They are believed to be the (proud and stubborn) descendents of the Tiwanaku culture. Another 5 percent consist of the Guarani and other groups in the Amazon basin. 20 percent are mestizos, persons of mixed indigenous and European heritages. These individuals live primarily in the cities and larger towns of the country, especially in the lowlands. The remaining 10 percent of Bolivia's inhabitants are of European heritage, primarily Spanish but with significant clusters of German Jews, Canadian Mennonites, and Okinawa Japanese. Bolivia is essentially an Indian nation. The population of the country is for the most part of indigenous origin. Approximately 40 percent are Quechuas, the descendents of the Incas. Another 25 percent are Aymara who populate the area around Lake Titicaca. Another 5 percent consist of the Guarani and other groups in the Amazon basin. Another 20 percent are mestizos, persons of mixed indigenous and European heritages. These individuals live primarily in the cities and larger towns of the country. The remaining 10 percent of Bolivia's inhabitants are of European heritage, primarily Spanish but with siginificant clusters of German Jews, Canadian Mennonites, and Okinawan Japanese. The Vice-Ministerio de Turismo's slogan is Lo autentico aun existe which roughly translates as "The real thing still exists". This refers to the fact that many aspects of Bolivia have changed very little over the centuries. The country is underdeveloped which means that it still has virgen forests, pristine waterways, and untouched rural landscapes. Many indian groups have maintained their cultures, languages, and folk traditions. Colonial architecture in places such as Potosi, Sucre, Tarija, and Cochabamba have not given way to modern development. Since 1982 the country has had a democratic government and relative political stability. This means that Bolivia is now able to offer international visitors a unique, safe, affordable, and extremely interesting place to visit. ______________History Edit This The Andean region probably has been inhabited for some 20.000 years. Beginning about the 2nd century B.C., the Tiwanakan culture developed at the southern end of Lake Titicaca. This culture, centered around and named for the great city of Tiwanaku, developed advanced architectural and agricultural techniques before it disappeared around 1200 A.D., probably because of extended drought. Roughly contemporaneous with the Tiwanakan culture, the Moxos in the eastern lowlands and the Mollos north of present-day La Paz also developed advanced agricultural societies that had dissipated by the 13th century of our era. In about 1450, the Quechua-speaking Incas entered the area of modern highland Bolivia and added it to their empire. They controlled the area until the Spanish conquest in 1525. During most of the Spanish colonial period, this territory was called "Upper Peru" or "Charcas" and was under the authority of the Viceroy of Lima. Local government came from the Audiencia de Charcas located in Chuquisaca (La Plata - modern Sucre). Bolivian silver mines produced much of the Spanish empire's wealth, and Potosi, site of the famed Cerro Rico--"Rich Mountain"-was, for many years, the largest city in the Western Hemisphere. As Spanish royal authority weakened during the Napoleonic wars, sentiment against colonial rule grew. Independence was proclaimed in 1809, but 16 years of struggle followed before the establishment of the republic, named for Simon Bolivar, on August 6, 1825. Independence did not bring stability. For nearly 60 years, coups and short-lived constitutions dominated Bolivian politics. Bolivia's weakness was demonstrated during the War of the Pacific (1879-83), when it lost its seacoast and the adjoining rich nitrate fields to Chile. An increase in the world price of silver brought Bolivia a measure of relative prosperity and political stability in the late 1800s. During the early part of the 20th century, tin replaced silver as the country's most important source of wealth. A succession of governments controlled by the economic and social elites followed laissez-faire capitalist policies through the first third of the century. Living conditions of the indigenous peoples, who constituted most of the population, remained deplorable. Forced to work under primitive conditions in the mines and in nearly feudal status on large estates, they were denied access to education, economic opportunity, or political participation. Bolivia's defeat by Paraguay in the Chaco War (1932-35) marked a turning point. Great loss of life and territory discredited the traditional ruling classes, while service in the army produced stirrings of political awareness among the indigenous people. From the end of the Chaco War until the 1952 revolution, the emergence of contending ideologies and the demands of new groups convulsed Bolivian politics. The Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR) emerged as a broadly based party. Denied its victory in the 1951 presidential elections, the MNR lead the successful 1952 revolution. Under President Victor Paz Estenssoro, the MNR introduced universal adult suffrage, carried out a sweeping land reform, promoted rural education, and nationalized the country's largest tin mines. It also committed many serious violations of human rights. Twelve years of tumultuous rule left the MNR divided. In 1964, a military junta overthrew President Paz Estenssoro at the outset of his third term. The 1969 death of President Rene Barrientos, a former member of the junta elected President in 1966, led to a succession of weak governments. Alarmed by public disorder, the military, the MNR, and others installed Col. (later Gen.) Hugo Banzer Suarez as President in 1971. Banzer ruled with MNR support from 1971 to 1974. Then, impatient with schisms in the coalition, he replaced civilians with members of the armed forces and suspended political activities. The economy grew impressively during Banzer's presidency, but demands for greater political freedom undercut his support. His call for elections in 1978 plunged Bolivia into turmoil once again. Elections in 1978, 1979, and 1980 were inconclusive and marked by fraud. There were coups, counter-coups, and caretaker governments. In 1980, Gen. Luis Garcia Meza carried out a ruthless and violent coup. His government was notorious for human rights abuses, narcotics trafficking, and economic mismanagement. Later convicted in absentia for crimes including murder, Garcia Meza was extradited from Brazil and began serving a 30-year sentence in 1995. After a military rebellion forced out Garcia Meza in 1981, three other military governments in 14 months struggled with Bolivia's growing problems. Unrest forced the military to convoke the Congress elected in 1980 and allow it to choose a new chief executive. In October 1982--22 years after the end of his first term of office (1956-60)--Hernan Siles Zuazo again became President. Severe social tension, exacerbated by economic mismanagement and weak leadership, forced him to call early elections and relinquish power a year before the end of his constitutional term. In the 1985 elections, the Nationalist Democratic Action Party (ADN) of Gen. Banzer won a plurality of the popular vote, followed by former President Paz Estenssoro's MNR and former Vice President Jaime Paz Zamora's Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR). But in the congressional run-off, the MIR sided with MNR, and Paz Estenssoro was chosen for a fourth term as president. When he took office in 1985, he faced a staggering economic crisis. Economic output and exports had been declining for several years. Hyperinflation had reached an annual rate of 24,000%. Social unrest, chronic strikes, and unchecked drug trafficking were widespread. In four years, Paz Estenssoro's Administration achieved economic and social stability. The military stayed out of politics, and all major political parties publicly and institutionally committed themselves to democracy. Human rights violations, which badly tainted some governments earlier in the decade, were not a problem. However, his remarkable accomplishments were not won without sacrifice. The collapse of tin prices in October 1985, coming just as the government was moving to reassert its control of the mismanaged state mining enterprise, forced the government to lay off over 20,000 miners. The highly successful shock treatment that restored Bolivia's financial system also led to some unrest and temporary social dislocation. Although the MNR list headed by Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada finished first in the 1989 elections, no candidate received a majority of popular votes and so in accordance with the constitution, a congressional vote determined who would be president. The Patriotic Accord (AP) coalition between Gen. Banzer's ADN and Jaime Paz Zamora's MIR, the second- and third-place finishers, respectively, won out. Paz Zamora assumed the presidency and the MIR took half the ministries. Banzer's center-right ADN took control of the National Political Council (CONAP) and the other ministries. Paz Zamora was a moderate, center-left president whose political pragmatism in office outweighed his Marxist origins. Having seen the destructive hyperinflation of the Siles Zuazo Administration, he continued the neo-liberal economic reforms begun by Paz Estenssoro, codifying some of them. Paz Zamora took a fairly hard line against domestic terrorism, personally ordering the December 1990 attack on terrorists of the Nestor Paz Zamora Committee (CNPZ—named after his brother who died in the 1970 Teoponte insurgency) and authorizing the early 1992 crackdown against the Tupac Katari Guerrilla Army (EGTK). Paz Zamora's regime was less decisive against narcotics trafficking. The government broke up a number of trafficking networks but issued a 1991 surrender decree giving lenient sentences to the biggest narcotics kingpins. Also, his administration was extremely reluctant to pursue net eradication of illegal coca. It did not agree to an updated extradition treaty with the U.S., although two traffickers have been extradited to the U.S. since 1992. Beginning in early 1994, the Bolivian Congress investigated Paz Zamora's personal ties to accused major trafficker Isaac Chavarria, who subsequently died in prison while awaiting trial. MIR deputy chief Oscar Eid was jailed in connection with similar ties in 1994; he was found guilty and sentenced to four years in prison in November 1996. Technically still under investigation, Paz Zamora became an active presidential candidate in 1996. The 1993 elections continued the tradition of open, honest elections and peaceful democratic transitions of power. The MNR defeated the ADN/MIR coalition by a 34% to 20% margin, and the MNR's Gonzalo "Goni" Sanchez de Lozada was selected as president by an MNR/MBL/UCS coalition in the Congress. Sanchez de Lozada pursued an aggressive economic and social reform agenda. He relied heavily on successful entrepreneurs-turned-politicians like himself and on fellow veterans of the Paz Estenssoro Administration (during which Sanchez de Lozada was planning minister). The most dramatic change undertaken by the Sanchez de Lozada Government was the Capitalization program, under which investors acquired 50% ownership and management control of public enterprises, such as the state oil corporation, telecommunications system, electric utilities, and others. The reforms and economic restructuring were strongly opposed by certain segments of society, which instigated frequent social disturbances, particularly in La Paz and the Chapare coca-growing region, from 1994 through 1996. In the 1997 elections, Gen. Hugo Banzer, leader of the ADN, won 22% of the vote, while the MNR candidate won 18%. Gen. Banzer formed a coalition of the ADN, MIR, UCS, and CONDEPA parties which hold a majority of seats in the Bolivian Congress. The Congress selected him as president and he was inaugurated on August 6, 1997. ___________Practical Information Edit This Capital: La Paz (Administrative, de facto) and Sucre (Constitutional, Legal). Official Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara and Guarani. Government Type: Democratic Republic. Religion: 90% Roman Catholic, but freedom of worship is guaranteed by law. There are significant Jewish, Mennonite, Buddhist, and Evangelical Methodist and other Protestant minorities. Shopping : Indigenous handicrafts at bargain prices made from gold, silver, pewter, wood, alpaca vicuña, cotton, and wool. Altitude: Highland cities such as La Paz and Potosi are at nearly 4000 m above sea level. Cochabamba, Sucre, and Tarija are located in the Andean valleys at around 2,500 m. Cities in the Amazon basin such as Santa Cruz de la Sierra are just 300 m in altitude. Seasons: The rainy season takes place in the summer and extends from November to March with the rest of the year dry and sunny. Highland cities are cold in the winter (June-August) and lowland cities are hot and humid in the summer. Monetary Unit: 8.0 Bolivianos per USA Dollar (January 1, 2006). Crime Rate: Overall a safe country. Index of violent crimes is low although petty theft is common. For tourists, Bolivia is one of the safest countries in the Americas even compared to the USA. Business Hours: 9:00 to 12:30 with an extended lunch (siesta) until 15:00. Many businesses stay open until 19:00 or later. Government offices and some financial institutions are transitioning to an horario continuo, which means working straight through the day with only a half hour lunch period and closing around 17:30. Local Time: 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Bolivia does not observe daylight savings time. Electric currency: The standard in Bolivia is 220V, 50 cycles AC. In La Paz, buildings constructed before 1990 may also have 110V. Accommodations: Bolivia has an abundant variety of lodgings of all types. Hotels are rated on a five star scale. Besides hotels, common names for accommodations are hostal, alojamiento, residencia and pensión. Ports of Entry: The primary international airports are La Paz and Santa Cruz. Major highway entries are Villazón with Argentina, Tambo Quemado with Chile, and Yunguyo and Desaguadero with Peru. Train routes reach the borders at Puerto Suarez with Brazil, Yacuiba and Villazon with Argentina, and Charaña with Chile. Lake Titicaca is the highest altitude navigable lake in the world. There is boat service from Huatajata and Copacabana to Puno in Peru. Bolivia has no sea coast. Major Holidays: New Years day - January 1st., Carnival - Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Good Friday - Friday before Easter, Labor Day - May 1,Corpus Christi - 60 days after Good Friday, Bolivian Independence Day - August 6, Todos Santos/All Saints Day - November 2, Christmas Day - December 25. Contributors March 14, 2006 change by boliviano (2 points) Currency The local currency is the Bolivian Boliviano (BOB) [Add Practical address] Bolivia Travel Guide Edit This I just recently discovered this new site called www.travel-bolivia.com. This website has some great travel related information and you can find some good tips on traveling around in Bolivia. type: Tourist information World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.travel-bolivia.com http://www.boliviatravelguide.net Edit This This is an excellent web site about Bolivia, contains travel related information and other traveler tips. http://www.boliviatravelguide.net type: Tourist information World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.boliviatravelguide.net ___________Getting Around Edit This Air Travel The two major air carriers in Bolivia are Lloyd Aereo Boliviano (LAB) and Aero Sur. Amaszonas, Aeroeste and TAM (Transportes Aereos Militares) also provide service to some isolated locations. Regularly scheduled air service is available between the major airports: La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz which are linked to Potosi, Puerto Suarez, Riberalta, Sucre, Tarija, Trinidad, Cobija, Rurrenabaque, Guayaramerin and Yacuiba. Train Travel There are two major train lines, which are served daily in good quality trains with reclinable seats. Best service is available on the ferrobus (passenger rail bus). Trains are inexpensive, with prices for long distances ranging from 10 to 30 US$. There is an Altiplano North to South line, starting in Oruro (three hours south from La Paz by bus), passing Uyuni and Tupiza before reaching the Argentine border at Villazon/la Quiaca. At Uyuni a train crosses the Salar to the Chilean border, where a severely maltreated train may or may not be waiting to take you to Calama. The second important train line is from Santa Cruz to Quijarro, on the Brazilian border at Corumba (Pantanal). From Santa Cruz there also is a train to Yacuiba on the Argentine border. Bus Travel Traveling by bus is certainly the cheapest way to get around Bolivia. Recently, a rough benchmark was less than $1 USD per hour of bus travel. Bus travel between major cities is comfortable. The buses tend to be modern and service is adequate. Service to more isolated areas can be more challenging and breakdowns are not uncommon. Remember, land travel in the Andes and tropical areas of Bolivia can be precarious. Road conditions are often primitive. High altitude trips can be very cold, especially in the winter (June-August). Low altitude trips in the tropics can be hot, dusty and humid. Travel in the rainy season (November-March) can be complicated by storms, dificult river crossings and collapsed roads. Bolivia is famous for having some of the most dangerous roads in the world. Some routes along the Andes are single lane, dirt roads with breathtaking dropoffs. Such trips are not for the faint of heart. See note about travel to Rurrenabaque below. Following are some approximate bus route times. Note that night schedules are almost always quicker since they do not require stops at as many rural villages: La Paz to Copacabana: 3 hours on paved road La Paz to Oruro: 3 hours on paved road La Paz to Cochabamba: 6 hours on mostly paved road La Paw to Rurrenabaque: 20 hours on mostly dirt road La Paz to Santa Cruz: 24 hours on mostly paved road Oruro to Potosi: 8 hours on mostly paved road Potosi to Uyuni: 5-6 hours on mostly dirt road Note on Rurrenabaque and the Most Dangersous Road in the World Beware of traveling to tropical Yungas and Rurrenabaque unless you have a loose schedule! The bus takes approximately 20 hours and traverses "The Most Dangerous Road in the World." Conditions have recently improved as a new two lane road has been opened between La Paz and Coroico. From Coroico to Caranavi you'll still be on a 1 to 1.5 lane dirt road that supports two directions of traffic and is etched into the mountainsides, resulting in precipitous drop offs. Along most of the way, when two vehicles meet, the downhill vehicle is required to reverse along the road until reaching a wide enough point (on the outside of the road) to allow the other vehicle to pass next to the mountain side. The bicycle path (the former main road) from La Paz to Coroico is famed, as cyclists whizz along the downhill route, passing from the Andean highlands of La Paz through more temperate zones until they reach the steamy village of Coroico, en route to the more tropical "Rurre," as it is nicknamed. Estimates abound in travel guides, with most citing at least one vehicle per month used to tumble over the side of the road. Bring Dramamine, or even better, heavy sedatives to sleep through the stomach-churning ride. The preferred alternative to reaching Rurre is by air. This is relatively inexpensive, running about US$50-60 (each way) while offering gorgeous views of the mountain and rain forest landscapes below. Once in Rurre, most travelers immediately book a tour or two at one of the numerous agencies throughout town, either to the selva (forests) or the pampas (grasslands). A frequent obstacle for travelers to Rurre arises upon departure as the airstrip is grass: Rurre is situated in the rain forest and in this environment it, well, rains! More than a few travelers have returned from their area tours, ready to jet back to La Paz and continue on their travels, only to find that they are stranded in a tiny wet town where the plane is grounded due to a muddy runway. Your options are to a) wait it out for as many days as it takes, or to b) eat the money you already spent on your ticket and take the dangerous, winding road 20 hours up to La Paz. Some travelers will choose not to take the risk, and many will vouch that Rurre's beauty is well-worth the effort to get there and back! (Current plans are to complete paving of Rurre's airstrip in 2007. This will certainly take some of the romance out of the trip, though some may find the improved scheduling a better thing.) A special note to those flying with Amaszonas to Rurre: as soon as you arrive, go to the Amaszonas office and confirm your return flight. Failing this crucial step, you may find yourself without a seat on their 12-seat Grand Caravan aircraft when you expect to depart. Contributors February 21, 2007 change by joosts (4 points) June 16, 2004 change by lithigin (2 points) March 15, 2006 change by boliviano (2 points) December 28, 2006 change by michaelmoretti ____________Getting Around Edit This Air Travel The two major air carriers in Bolivia are Lloyd Aereo Boliviano (LAB) and Aero Sur. Amaszonas, Aeroeste and TAM (Transportes Aereos Militares) also provide service to some isolated locations. Regularly scheduled air service is available between the major airports: La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz which are linked to Potosi, Puerto Suarez, Riberalta, Sucre, Tarija, Trinidad, Cobija, Rurrenabaque, Guayaramerin and Yacuiba. Train Travel There are two major train lines, which are served daily in good quality trains with reclinable seats. Best service is available on the ferrobus (passenger rail bus). Trains are inexpensive, with prices for long distances ranging from 10 to 30 US$. There is an Altiplano North to South line, starting in Oruro (three hours south from La Paz by bus), passing Uyuni and Tupiza before reaching the Argentine border at Villazon/la Quiaca. At Uyuni a train crosses the Salar to the Chilean border, where a severely maltreated train may or may not be waiting to take you to Calama. The second important train line is from Santa Cruz to Quijarro, on the Brazilian border at Corumba (Pantanal). From Santa Cruz there also is a train to Yacuiba on the Argentine border. Bus Travel Traveling by bus is certainly the cheapest way to get around Bolivia. Recently, a rough benchmark was less than $1 USD per hour of bus travel. Bus travel between major cities is comfortable. The buses tend to be modern and service is adequate. Service to more isolated areas can be more challenging and breakdowns are not uncommon. Remember, land travel in the Andes and tropical areas of Bolivia can be precarious. Road conditions are often primitive. High altitude trips can be very cold, especially in the winter (June-August). Low altitude trips in the tropics can be hot, dusty and humid. Travel in the rainy season (November-March) can be complicated by storms, dificult river crossings and collapsed roads. Bolivia is famous for having some of the most dangerous roads in the world. Some routes along the Andes are single lane, dirt roads with breathtaking dropoffs. Such trips are not for the faint of heart. See note about travel to Rurrenabaque below. Following are some approximate bus route times. Note that night schedules are almost always quicker since they do not require stops at as many rural villages: La Paz to Copacabana: 3 hours on paved road La Paz to Oruro: 3 hours on paved road La Paz to Cochabamba: 6 hours on mostly paved road La Paw to Rurrenabaque: 20 hours on mostly dirt road La Paz to Santa Cruz: 24 hours on mostly paved road Oruro to Potosi: 8 hours on mostly paved road Potosi to Uyuni: 5-6 hours on mostly dirt road Note on Rurrenabaque and the Most Dangersous Road in the World Beware of traveling to tropical Yungas and Rurrenabaque unless you have a loose schedule! The bus takes approximately 20 hours and traverses "The Most Dangerous Road in the World." Conditions have recently improved as a new two lane road has been opened between La Paz and Coroico. From Coroico to Caranavi you'll still be on a 1 to 1.5 lane dirt road that supports two directions of traffic and is etched into the mountainsides, resulting in precipitous drop offs. Along most of the way, when two vehicles meet, the downhill vehicle is required to reverse along the road until reaching a wide enough point (on the outside of the road) to allow the other vehicle to pass next to the mountain side. The bicycle path (the former main road) from La Paz to Coroico is famed, as cyclists whizz along the downhill route, passing from the Andean highlands of La Paz through more temperate zones until they reach the steamy village of Coroico, en route to the more tropical "Rurre," as it is nicknamed. Estimates abound in travel guides, with most citing at least one vehicle per month used to tumble over the side of the road. Bring Dramamine, or even better, heavy sedatives to sleep through the stomach-churning ride. The preferred alternative to reaching Rurre is by air. This is relatively inexpensive, running about US$50-60 (each way) while offering gorgeous views of the mountain and rain forest landscapes below. Once in Rurre, most travelers immediately book a tour or two at one of the numerous agencies throughout town, either to the selva (forests) or the pampas (grasslands). A frequent obstacle for travelers to Rurre arises upon departure as the airstrip is grass: Rurre is situated in the rain forest and in this environment it, well, rains! More than a few travelers have returned from their area tours, ready to jet back to La Paz and continue on their travels, only to find that they are stranded in a tiny wet town where the plane is grounded due to a muddy runway. Your options are to a) wait it out for as many days as it takes, or to b) eat the money you already spent on your ticket and take the dangerous, winding road 20 hours up to La Paz. Some travelers will choose not to take the risk, and many will vouch that Rurre's beauty is well-worth the effort to get there and back! (Current plans are to complete paving of Rurre's airstrip in 2007. This will certainly take some of the romance out of the trip, though some may find the improved scheduling a better thing.) A special note to those flying with Amaszonas to Rurre: as soon as you arrive, go to the Amaszonas office and confirm your return flight. Failing this crucial step, you may find yourself without a seat on their 12-seat Grand Caravan aircraft when you expect to depart. Contributors February 21, 2007 change by joosts (4 points) June 16, 2004 change by lithigin (2 points) March 15, 2006 change by boliviano (2 points) December 28, 2006 change by michaelmoretti ______________Getting There Edit This International flights from the USA, Europe and neighboring countries land at the airports of La Paz and Santa Cruz. La Paz has the highest airport in the world. It is located in the adjoining city of El Alto. The ride to La Paz takes a half hour to descend into city center by taxi. The descent is quite spectacular with beautiful scenery as La Paz is surrounded by mountains including Illimani at more than 6000 m. The taxi fare from El Alto to La Paz is approximately $8.00 USD. Viru Viru Airport in Santa Cruz is more distant from the city center so the ride there costs around $15.00 USD. The airlines that go Bolivia from the USA are American Airlines and LLoyd Aereo Boliviano (LAB). Both are good lines. Other carriers from Lima include Taca and LAN Peru, Varig and Gol from Sao Paulo, Aerolineas Argentinas from Buenos Aires, LAN Chile from Santiago and Arica, and TAM Mercosur from Asunción. Land travel to Bolivia provides the traveler with three choices. The first is the cheapest but often the most uncomfortable and unpredictable. Buses reach Bolivia's borders at Desaguadero and Yunguyo in Peru, Villazon and Yacuiba in Argentina, Corumba/Puerto Suarez in Brazil, and Tambo Quemado in Chile. There is no direct bus route from Paraguay. There are three major train routes. One takes passengers from the Brazilian border at Corumba to Santa Cruz. Another rail route to Santa Cruz is possible from Yacuiba on the Argentine border. Finally, the major tourist route for train buffs from Argentina starts at Villiazon/La Quiaca at the border and goes to Oruro via Uyuni. Uniquely, various types of boats make the trip across Lake Titicaca from Puno, Peru to either Copacabana or Huatajata in Bolivia. You can obtain passage on a slow cruiser, a moderate speed catamaran, or a rapid hydrofoil. _______Economy Edit This Economy - overview: With its long history of semifeudal social controls, dependence on volatile prices for its mineral exports, and bouts of hyperinflation, Bolivia has remained one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries. However, Bolivia has experienced generally improving economic conditions since the PAZ Estenssoro administration (1985-89) introduced market-oriented policies which reduced inflation from 11,700% in 1985 to about 20% in 1988. PAZ Estenssoro was followed as president by Jaime PAZ Zamora (1989-93) who continued the free-market policies of his predecessor, despite opposition from his own party and from Bolivia's once powerful labor movement. By maintaining fiscal discipline, PAZ Zamora helped reduce inflation to 9.3% in 1993, while GDP grew by an annual average of 3.25% during his tenure. President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (1993-1997) vowed to advance the market-oriented economic reforms he helped launch as PAZ Estenssoro's planning minister. His successes included the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico and the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) as well as the privatization of the state airline, phone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company. Furthermore, SANCHEZ DE LOZADA sponsored legislation creating private social security accounts for all adult Bolivians and capitalized these new accounts with the state's remaining 50% share in the privatized companies. Hugo BANZER Suarez took office in August 1997 and has proclaimed his commitment to the economic reforms of the previous administration. GDP: purchasing power parity—$23.1 billion (1997 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 4.4% (1997 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$3,000 (1997 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 26% services: 57% (1995 est.) Inflation rate—consumer price index: 7% (1997) Labor force: total: 2.5 million by occupation: agriculture NA%, services and utilities NA%, manufacturing, mining and construction NA% Unemployment rate: 10% Budget: revenues: $3.75 billion expenditures: $3.75 billion, including capital expenditures of $556.2 million (1995 est.) Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1995 est.) Electricity—capacity: 786,000 kW (1995) Electricity—production: 2.9 billion kWh (1995) Electricity—consumption per capita: 370 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber Exports: total value: $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1997) commodities: metals 34%, natural gas 9.4%, soybeans 8.4%, jewelry 11%, wood 6.9% partners: US 22%, UK 9.3%, Colombia 8.7%, Peru 7.4%, Argentina 7.2% Imports: total value: $1.7 billion (c.i.f. 1997) commodities: capital goods 48%, chemicals 11%, petroleum 5%, food 5% (1993 est.) partners: US 20%, Japan 13%, Brazil 12, Chile 7.5% (1996) Debt—external: $4.2 billion (1997) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $588 million (1997) Currency: 1 boliviano ($B) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: bolivianos ($B) per US$1—5.3724 (January 1998), 5.2543 (1997), 5.0746 (1996), 4.8003 (1995), 4.6205 (1994), 4.2651 (1993) Fiscal year: calendar year [Add New] Money exchange Edit This The current (March 2006) exchange rate is 8 pesos bolivianos for $1.00 USD. Following are examples of some travel costs. Remember, costs in cities will be higher than in the rural areas. Hotel: Budget less than $20 USD, Mid-range $45 USD, Luxury $80+ USD Restaurant: American Breakfast $2.50 USD, Fixed-Lunch $2 USD, Lunch Entree $5 USD, Dinner $5 USD Bus: La Paz to Cochabamba $12 USD, La Paz to Santa Cruz $24 USD Airline: La Paz to Santa Cruz $100 more.. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] _________Health Before setting off, you might want to check the illnesses described below that occur here. The information is from the CDC and should be pretty accurate, but if you really think you have something, go see a doctor. If you're not sure where to find good medical attention, check with a the nearest international hotel, they are usually in the know (though the facilities they refer to might charge you a little bit more) Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Most persons who acquire acute HCV infection either have no symptoms or have a mild clinical illness. However, chronic HCV infection develops in 75%–85% of those acutely infected, with active liver disease developing in 60%–70% of chronically infected persons. [more] Malaria Malaria in humans is caused by one of five protozoan species of the genus Plasmodium: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, or P. malariae. All species are transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Occasionally, transmission occurs by blood transfusion or congenitally from mother to fetus. Although malaria can be a fatal disease, illness and death from malaria are largely preventable. [more] Rabies A dangerous and possible deadly disease, can be contracted from a wild animal to a human w/ a single bite. Please when visiting do not touch animals that do not seem tamed. [more] Tuberculosis [more] Typhoid A very stong course of anti-biotics will wipe it out. After getting typhoid I was very weak for at least 3 months after the anti-biotic course. There is a vaccine that is good for three years. If you consume a large dose of typhoid there is a good chance of getting it regardless of the vaccine. [more] YELLOW FEVER Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease. Illness ranges in severity from an influenza-like syndrome to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever. Yellow fever is caused by a zoonotic virus that is maintained in nature by transmission between nonhuman primates and mosquito vectors. In some situations, humans may serve as the primary host in the transmission cycle (“urban yellow fever”). [more] a ids As a physician in Belize and had Dengue myself. Ibuprofen works well for the fever and aches, and, in my opinion, is not a risk for hemmorhagic fever (which has never been seen in Belize, as far as I know). __________Things to do Edit This its wicket!! its wicket!! sergio arenas Bolivia has a wonderful variety of things for visitors to see and do. Folklore: Bolivia is the most indigenous country in the world. Its folklore is absolutely amazing. Visitors are fascinated by Andean dance, music, and costumes. In the rural areas, Quechuas, Aymaras, Guaranis, and other native peoples maintain their customes, cultures, languages, and way of life much as they did in the past. The Andes: One of the world's most important and interesting range of mountains divides in Peru and Bolivia to form the inmense Altiplano, or high plain. At the edge of the Altiplano sits Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on earth. Climatic Zones: Since Bolivia is near the equator, when the high altitudes of the western half of the country give way dramatically to the eastern lowlands (Oriente) of the Amazon basin, the scenery is spectacular. Visitors can pass through several climatic zones from alpine to subtropical in a matter of hours. Extremes: Play golf at the world's highest course, challenge the ski run at Chacaltaya (5000 m), or attempt to bicycle down the "most dangerous road in the world" from the Cumbre near La Paz, to Coroico in the Yungas. Climb a peak such as Illimani, Illiampu or Sajama, all at 6000 plus meters. National Parks: The underdevlopment of Bolivia has ironically allowed the country to preserve its ecological wonders. National Parks such as Madidi, Noel Kempff, and Torotoro have pristine flora and fauna unmatched anywhere in the world. History: Pre-Colombian civilizations such as Tiwanaku and the Incas have left their mark in Bolivia. Later, between 1500 and 1825, the Spanish established a colony in Alto Peru which is now modern Bolivia. The Cerro Rico was the Spanish Empire's most important silver and tin mine and during the 1600s, Potosí was the largest city in the Americas. [Add Activity] Mountaineering Edit This Mountain climbing period in the Andes begins in April and holds through August. Royal Range is served by many roads and mountains are easy to approach. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Fishing Edit This Mostly in the rivers of the Beni department great sports fishing is offered even in a full day package. type: Spa and Sauna World66 rating: [rate it] Study spanish in Sucre Edit This Hi, I just want to share the perfect place to study Spanish that i encountered in Sucre, Bolivia. I studied with the teacher Patricia De Roo in her own private school. I had just planed to stay 2 weeks, but i enjoyed it so much that i stayed for 8 weeks studding languages before i continued. When I arrived my Spanish was almost non-existing, but when i left after 6 weeks of (hard) studies in Spanish i almost felt like i spoke it fluent. Of course it's not perfect, but it's enough for me to speak about anything with who ever i encounter. Patricia also gives Portuguese more.. type: Other World66 rating: [rate it] ::::::::::::::Buena Vista Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Find the author admiring the Bibosi tree Find the author admiring the Bibosi tree Lore Bocken The small town of Buena Vista is the best base to organise a trip to the impressive National Park of Amboró, at less than two hours of Santa Cruz. It´s an impressive jungle with some gigantic trees and with fascinating insect, bird and mammal wildlife. In town you can find several travel agencies, that organise somewhat pricey trips to cabañas in the jungle (about 50$ for two days, depending on agency and number of people in the group). The municipality can help you to contact the cabañas themselves (about $20, everything included). Their tourist information office is on the central plaza. The advantage is that this is somewhat cheaper, and that your money goes to people from the local communities itself. Thus you help more in sustaining the park, which is in constant danger of being burned down and turned into farmland. There is no bank in town, but there are several hostels, restaurants and somewhat improvised bars. ::::::::::Chacaltaya Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Chakaltaya Chakaltaya Assen Stefanov Chacaltaya is something else. With its altitude of 5395m it towers above the highest peak in Western Europe , Mont Blanc (4808m) and almost reaches the heights of Elbrus, Europe ’s absolute power (5642). Moreover, one does not need even boots to conquer it (at least in the dry season this is the case). The road leads up to 5300m elevation where the welcome chalet and altitude sickness center are located. From there on there is a little hill to be climbed – a challenge in the thin air environment but nothing compared to miles of trekking with alpine equipment, Sherpas and years of experience. So there is nothing to loose and much to gain. The vistas are magnificent. On one side is the omni powerful Illimani; opposite is the Huayna Potosi, La Paz’s water supplier; kitty cornier are the stormy clouds of the Amazonas in general and the Yungas in particular; across is the silvery lake Titicaca in the barren haze of the Altiplano. There is a catch. The mount seen initially from the chalet is not the highest peak. It is actually the highest point of the highest ski lift in the world. What a title! Once there one realizes that the job is only half done. At this height the decision to go on and finish the task properly with ascending to Chacaltaya itself could be a difficult process. Even the most stubborn heads must feel a bit mushy. What to do on the way up? The opportunity presents itself. Scores of wild, semi wild or seemingly wild llamas graze the parched land. Along are the beautiful views of Chacaltaya, Huayna Potosi and Illimany. Why not combine the two and take this dream photo of intrigued llamas with some of the highest peaks on the planet and all that without any Hollywood involvement. Well, you might want to receive some help from your helpful guide to usher these wonderful animals in the frame. :::::Cochabamba Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Cochabamba, the third largest city in Bolivia, is located some 240km southeast of La Paz. The city, set on a plain surrounded by low mountains, is known for its moderate climate and is often called Bolivia's "resort city". Popular excursions form Cochabamba include the ruins of Incarakay, beautiful lago Angostura, and the largest Christ statue in the world. Tourist Information: The Spitting Llama Bookstore www.thespittingllama.com The store owned by a USA-Bolivian couple provides books, maps, and tourist information about Cochabamba and all of Bolivia. Their website is quite useful in finding information as well. The Spitting Llama also sells a wide range of camping and travel equipment and has stores in Copacabana and Cochabamba. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://wikitravel.org/en/Cochabamba :::::::::::Coroico Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Coroico seen from the Uchumachi walk Coroico seen from the Uchumachi walk Joost Schouppe Coroico is best known as a place to just chill and enjoy nature . You can find great restaurants and some bars, and some hotels offer relaxation services. If you take a good look around, you’ll see there’s an awful lot more to do. Different rivers are inviting for a plunge , for sunbathing on the hot rocks of the river bed or just enjoying nature. There are dozens of options for independent or guided walks , which are spectacular in the diversity of views, trails, wildlife, nature, culture and agriculture they offer. Everything between 3 hours and 3 days can be done in the area. If walking just goes to slow for you, you can take a horse or have a thrill on a bike . There are tours for beginners to die hard mountain bike fanatics. If you’ve done the “Most Dangerous Road” in the world, you haven’t seen anything yet. If you’re in for a small adventure , loads of options: try to reach places like the Kori Wayku Inca trail crossing the river or the unwelcoming jungle, the haunted Perolani waterfalls, the isolated Gates of the Devil,… _________Getting There Edit This There are a lot of options to get to Coroico from La Paz: * You can take the bus on the safe new road. 3 hours, US$ 2. * You can take a taxi on the old or the new road. 2 to 4 hours, US$ 50. * Do one of the most spectacular bikerides in the world. US$ 35 to 80. * Walk down a well preserved Incatrail. 3 or 1,5 days. * Walk along the former train track through the cloud forest. 2 days. There also is a daily bus from Rurrenabaque. Going with the bus Four companies offer transport service from La Paz to Coroico. They generally use minibuses, which are not all too comfortable for large people. Sometimes you might find a somewhat bigger bus. Buses from the three companies leave when full in Villa Fatima, a La Paz neighbourhood. Take a cab or any city bus that says “Villa Fatima”, and ask for drop of at “Donde salen los minibuses a Coroico”. All buses now take the new road (road number 1 on the map), which is paved all the way to Yolosita. The ride to Coroico need not be scary. Buses leave when full from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and cost Bs. 15 (US$ 2). Palmeras; Villa Fátima- C. Sagárnaga 2214009- 2895507 Totaí; Villa Fátima- Plaza Principal 2216592- 71502894 Yungueña; Villa Fátima- Plaza Principal 2213513 -2895513 Trans Totaí; Villa Fátima- Plaza principal 2211616-71907791 Taxi It’s a small chance a La Paz taxista will want to take you to Coroico (for a good price). Coroico taxi drivers charge US$ 50 (Bs. 400) for the service. Contact a hotel in Coroico for practical information. Bicycles The most popular way to get to Coroico is by bicycle. Several agencies offer the trip. First you drive up to la Cumbre (4700 meters a.s.l.). From the freezing cold you descend on asphalt until Chuspipata. After descending 1700 meters at 50 kmph, you enter the jungle. Basically, the one way dirt road (number 2 on the map) now only serves bicycle traffic. Don’t worry about it not being exciting enough though: every mistake might get punished by a 500 meter fall down the roadside cliff. The most highly rated agencies are Gravity (on the Prado) and Downhill Madness (on the Sagarnaga Street). They charge 50 to 70 US$ depending on the bike. In the Sagarnaga Street a lot of cheaper agencies can be found (from US$ 35). For a more individual experience, go with the Coroico agency (see Services – Bicycles of this file). Service generally includes breakfast, the minibus to La Cumbre, snack, lunch in a hotel in Coroico and transport back to La Paz (if you decide not to stay in Coroico). Even if you don’t plan to stay, take along your luggage. You might change your mind on arrival. Trekkings 1. El Choro (n° 3 on map) The most famous trek in the area is by far the La Cumbre-Coroico trek, el Choro. In three days this millennial path takes you from the cold mountains to the lush valleys around Coroico. Most travel books have info. In La Paz the Tourist Information Office can tell more. 2. Urpuma (n° 4 on map) A shorter but similar trip is the Urpuma trail. It starts near Unduavi. It climbs for about half an hour, than plunges right into the cloud forest for a full days walk up to Sandillani, where it joins El Choro. The second day it’s two to three hours more on Inca trails to Chairo. From here, you can walk on along the dirt road or take a taxi. Details. Take a minibus to Coroico and ask for a stop two kilometres passed Unduavi, where there is a sign of the Cotapata National Park indicating the start of the Sillutinkara or Urpuma trail. It takes about two hours to get there. Leave early, because the walk to Sandillani takes 8 hours. The first 30-45 minutes you have to climb. At a pass the path splits: one goes up, one goes down. It’s best to take the path that goes down. In Sandillani you can sleep in the Urpuma hostel (45 to 75 Bs. pp.) or camp in the garden of the Japanese hermit. From Sandillani it’s another two hours to Chairo, where the road starts. You can walk on or arrange a taxi (max. 200 Bs.). Mountain bike experts can try to tackle the difficult trail. It’s a one day trip from Coroico or La Paz, ending in Coroico. Talk with Carlos (mtbbolivia.com) for more details. 3. Eco-Via (n° 5 on map) The Eco-Via trek is an easy two day trek. It’s the best option for tree lovers, as all of it is inside the cloud forest. Peculiar about this walk is that it follows the never finished train track, which would have connected Coroico with La Paz. It’s very spectacular with it being just a small ridge on a vertical cliff, it’s numerous waterfalls and constant views of the snowy Mururata Mountain and the Coroico valley. But it’s unique in that it is almost flat, as trains don’t like steep descents. This is a very feasible trek for those who like to walk, but are scared by the difficulty of Inca trails. The trek starts at Chuspipata. Take a minibus from La Paz to Coroico, and ask for drop off at the start of the old road. Follow it for half an hour to Chuspipata. There, a road goes to the left to Coroico (the bicycle road). A bit further, another road goes down to the right to Chulumani. You have to go straight on. At the end of the trek, arrange for pick-up with a Coroico taxi driver. Alternatively, walk on to Yolosa (first to the left) or Carmen Pampa (second to the left). In either places you should be able to find transport to Coroico. ________Day Trips Edit This Walking in the river at the Pozas Walking in the river at the Pozas Joost Schouppe Loads of different things to, especialy for those who like trekking, cycling and swimming. Contributors January 13, 2007 new by joosts (1 point) [Add Day Trip] The Kori Wayku Inca trail Edit This Vertical cliff with a trail carved out hundreds of years ago Vertical cliff with a trail carved out hundreds of years ago photo by: Joost Schouppe Kori Wayku is the river that together with the San Juan creates the Yolosa river. The valley is the most attractive of the area, because it’s completely forested and wild. Although today it is a valley forgotten by almost anyone, but a few miners, it must have been very important one day. The Inca’s found it important enough to build on of their highway, which went all around the valley. Today, parts of the trail has been washed away by the river, but the parts that remain are spectacular. As it is such a natural place, you’ve got good chances to spot wildlife. You more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Uchumachi Edit This Coroico seen from the Uchumachi walk Coroico seen from the Uchumachi walk photo by: Joost Schouppe Coroico is built on one of the flanks of the Uchumachi. The 2500 meter high mountain is inviting for a climb, because of the views, the forest and its orchids. From an altitude of 2100 meter the mountain is natural reservation, hence most of it is forested (especially on the south flank). A classic hike in Coroico is the walk to the summit . This is a bit of a scam: the mountain top is about 15 kilometres long, and the highest point is at the other side of the mountain. Still, the forest on the top of the mountain is pretty, and on clear days the views are more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Pozas del Vagante Edit This Walking in the river at the Pozas Walking in the river at the Pozas photo by: Joost Schouppe The Pozas del Vagante is about the best place to go for a swim in the area, because the river is crystal-clear and has some deep natural swimming pools. It’s also a good destination for a small trekking, because of the road there, which leads through orange yards, along a Hacienda House and coca fields, and down into the riverside forest with its abundant butterflies and birds. Once there, you can just go for a swim and have a pick-nick, or have an exiting trip following the river up to a small canyon with secluded natural bubble more.. World66 rating: [rate it] San Juan Valley Edit This i photo by: Joost Schouppe The main reason to visit this valley is because of its plentiful cloudforest, mixed with agriculture, such as coffee and coca. Take a minibus to Carmen Pampa , a small village which is booming because of the Rural University that was installed there. A beautiful path leaves from this village, crossing two small streams by means of simple but descent suspension bridges. At the other side of the valley, you can follow the main dirttrack to Old Coroico and Yolosa, which was abandoned for the present location of Coroico, according to legend more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Charobamba Edit This The main 'bridge' to Charobamba The main 'bridge' to Charobamba photo by: Joost Schouppe Besides being a pretty village in a magnificent forest environment, Charobamba deserves a visit from people interested in modern history. In the late 1930s there would have been an exodus of Jews from Nazi-Germany, if not for the near impossibility for them to get a visa anywhere in the world. One of the few countries that did accept Jewish immigrants was Bolivia , on condition that they would occupy themselves as farmers. Thus a small community was founded near Coroico, a booming territory in those days, as the road from La Paz to the Yungas had recently been opened more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Puente Armas Waterfalls Edit This Puente Armas is the metal bridge which used to cross the river in Choro. That doesn’t sound too interesting, however, the bridge gave its name to the whole area, which features various huge waterfalls in a spectacular forested canyon. The waterfall that’s easiest to reach is the Rio Cajón waterfall, at just 100 meters from the main road. Isolated from the noise by a small canyon, you reach a big but chilly lagoon, with constant wind from the powerful waterfall. Excellent for a swim, but it might be more.. World66 rating: [rate it] The Circunvalacion Edit This Uchi (Weaver birds') nests with a view Uchi (Weaver birds') nests with a view photo by: Joost Schouppe Circumventing Coroico lays an almost perfectly flattened patch of land, which is on parts used as a road, as a path, or not used at all. It was constructed in the 1940s, as a part of the never finished rail connection between La Paz and the Yungas (see C.3.). You can even make out a big flattened spot, where the Coroico Railway Station was planned. Even though there is no train, it is useful: one of the easiest walks in the area uses this abandoned project. It lacks spectacular attractions like waterfalls and rivers, but it makes up for that in being a great more.. World66 rating: [rate it] The Perolani Waterfall Edit This Falls hidden behind this mountain Falls hidden behind this mountain photo by: Joost Schouppe Perolani is a mysterious waterfall in the valley behind Tocaña. From far, it is impossible to see the base of the fall. It is said that it is impossible to go there, and that it would be foolish, because the devil lives there. Legend has it that a small caravan of mules was lost at the bottom of the fall, taking the life of all people and animals involved. The mules apparently were carrying bags of gold. A true legend is that one day the government decided to find out if there really was gold by sending a helicopter. Some mandatory volunteer was to get down the chopper via a more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Supay Punku Edit This At the Gates of the Devil At the Gates of the Devil photo by: Joost Schouppe Supay Punku is a very isolated place, even though it’s relatively easy to reach. In the middle of pure forest, you’ll find these Devils Gates, an impressive narrow canyon that is closed at the top. In the same area you’ll find an otherworldly lagoon that awaits the visitor who is daring enough to climb a 3 meter cascade, the only way to reach the base of the 100 meter Paradise Fall. The whole area is of the greenest possible cloudforest, where you can spot such peculiar birds as the Cock of the Rock (the “Tunqui”, more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Arapata and the Green Lagoon Edit This Swimming in the Laguna Verde Swimming in the Laguna Verde photo by: Joost Schouppe There is a road circumventing the Uchumachi mountain. The landscape changes suddenly when you cross to the other side: it suddenly becomes one big coca plantation, with most forest cleared. The landscape can sometimes look like a semi-desert, but the cocafields can be very green too. Because coca plantations leave the soil vulnerable for erosion, some of the mountains are coming down. One particularly big mountain slide blocked a valley, forming a small lake, the “Green Lagoon”. Although it doesn’t look like much form far, it’s the best place to go for a swim in the more.. World66 rating: [rate it] The Montaña Family Edit This Coffee Coffee photo by: Joost Schouppe T he Montaña family grows organic coffee, sold in the Special Coffee circuit, which guarantees they get a good price for their produce. They organise a tour on their farm in Incapampa, in which they explain the whole process of growing, yielding and processing the coffee. Obviously, you end with a degustation. At the moment tours are somewhat improvised, but by February 2007 – the start of the harvesting season – there should be a complete tour in operation. Until then, your collaboration is voluntarily, but we suggest about 50 Bs. The tour takes about an hour more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Tocaña Edit This Tocana Cultural Center Tocana Cultural Center photo by: Sebastien Baudry Tocaña is the biggest Afro-Bolivian community of the country, famous for being the origin of the Saya music and dance. The Africans arrived in the Yungas as slaves, working on the coca plantations, after barely surviving in the silver mines of chilling Potosi . Approximately 8 million slaves were “imported”, leaving only about 50 000 Bolivians of African descent. The people of Tocaña used to work in the Hacienda of Mururata, a neighbouring village, until as part of the 1952 revultion they revolted and founded their own village under the leadership of more.. World66 rating: [rate it] "The Waterfalls" Edit This One of the waterfalls in the wet season One of the waterfalls in the wet season photo by: Joost Schouppe The classic hike from Coroico. The main reason for that is because it’s so easy and the views are good. However one must be aware of following downsides: the hike goes for two hours along a grassy mountain (no forest here, so loads of sun), the waterfalls (from august to November) may consist of nothing more then a drip (except if it has been raining the days before), and there is a big concrete water tank - including barbed wire - around the waterfalls, because this is where the drinking water from the village comes from. However, if you visit with a taxi , more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Santa Rosa de Kilo Kilo Edit This Arraving at Kellkata Arraving at Kellkata photo by: Joost Schouppe Literally at the end of the road, the village of Santa Rosa de Kilo Kilo is located an hour further on the Suapi road. It’s a spectacular ride, in which you can see how the forest slowly changes with the difference in altitude. Just before you arrive in the village, you’ll pass the somewhat weird Kilo Kilo Alto hacienda house. From the village you can make a two hour walk (one way) to visit pre-Columbian rock drawings. You can also get there with a Jeep. The walk goes through a beautiful forest full of birds and butterflies. As the altitude is less than more.. World66 rating: [rate it] :::::::::: La Paz Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Downton La Paz Downton La Paz Vico R. La Paz is the highest capital in the world, and probably the most scenic one. Lying huddled at the bottom of a huge canyon with the 6400m Illimani mountain as a backdrop. From 3600 to 4100 meters high, it bustles with almost two million inhabitants. Lots of them still wear traditional dress. Just like folklore, food is everywhere: from salteña stands to fruit salad bars in the markets, to fancy french restaurants with low-low prices. A visit to the whiches market, the black market and an El Alto market should not be missed. there are a few pretty colonial streets and buildings and worthwhile musea. La Paz asks for some adjustment. It's a really buzzy place and just walking around might be challenging because of the altitude, especially if you're arriving from low altitudes. Don't try to do too much on your first day, drink coca tea or chew it or try sorochi pills. If all that doesn't help, get to lower altitudes. The fastest option is Coroico, but you might not want to come back. ____________Getting Around Edit This The airport is located in "El Alto"; it takes about half hour to get to La Paz from the airport on a nice paved road. Tho cost for a taxi there is about $9 USD. To get around the city take a cab. It costs about $1 USD for a a radiotaxi (regular cab) or $0.5 USD (shared cab) for downtonw La Paz. If you want to go to the Zona Sur or El Alto, prices double or triple. Buses and minibuses are also available and are even cheaper but the routes can be confusing and pickpockets linger around them. :::::::::::Lake Titicaca Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Lake Titikaka Lake Titikaka Katty Yip from Hong Kong Lying on the border between Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca is a must when visiting either of the countries. This lake has played a dominant role in Andean beliefs for over 2 millennia. Its most important religious site during Inca times was Sun Island. Here you will find, just a few meters from the Inca steps, a fountain and inside the site the Inca Garden. Sun Island hosts the largest collection of archaeological and anthropological items and the largest demo variety of andean crops and medicinal herbs and in andean fauna; the only reserve of its kind available to tourists. Touristical offers include: Participating in an ancient Kallawaya ceremony, sailing in a RA Reptica (the famous reed vessel) to the Pilkokaina Inca Palace, participating in manual agricultural work, learning about andean agricultural technology, tradicional medicine, ancient healing rituals, reed vessel constructions and transoceanic epic adventures, andean weaving techniques, taste of andean grains, herbs and tubers harvested at Sun Island. _________Sights Edit This Display all or display just: Hotspots general Show best rated on top | Show in alphabetical order [Add Sight] Aymara House Edit This A typical islander house where visitors appreciate the authentic lifestyle of a Sun Island family. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Ekako Underground Museum Edit This A unique 200 sqm underground museum containing the largest collection of Sun Island archeological items, andean mummies and the Ekako abundance God, found precisely on this island. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Apus and Achachilas Altar Edit This At the far end of the Complex there is an authentic altar from the Tiwanaku era where visitors participate in an ancient Kallawaya ceremony. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Andean Fauna Edit This The Complex is the home of several varieties of llamas, alpacas, huanacos and vicuñas. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Shipbuilders complex Edit This Thor Heyerdahl and Kitin Muñoz, both explorers and scientists tested several times early migration theories carried on reed vessels. The Complex has a display center and Shipbuilders describe construction techniques. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Copacabana village Edit This Religious sanctuary in honor of the native virgin. As important pilgrimage site. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Inti Wata Cultural Complex Edit This Located at Sun Island. The main private Cultural attraction of Bolivia. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Pachamama Terraces Edit This The authentic agricultural Inca Terraces at the Complex contain the largest demo variety of Andes crop and medicinal herbs. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Sunset on the neighbouring hill Edit This Walking up the few hundred meters to the top of the mountain just north of Copacabana (which is basically a sanctuary) to arrive at the top just before sunset. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] ::::::::Oruro Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Carnaval de Oruro 2005 Carnaval de Oruro 2005 Victor Hugo Martinez M. Every february one of the most spectacular cultural events of Latin America takes place in Oruro. This most beautiful parade filled with folklore is unique in South America. The "Entrada" (Parade) takes almost 11 hours; the participants seem that they do get tired they dance for the Virgen of Socavon (Virgin of the mines). Mostly Tin mines, though in Oruro there are also Gold mines. So plan ahead. :::::::::Potosi Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Tio statute inside a small mine Tio statute inside a small mine joost schouppe Potosi was founded in 1545 following the discovery of silver in the Cerro Rico. The city soon blossomed and during the 18th century it became the largest and wealthiest city of South-America. In the early 19th century the silver production began to wane, and the city lost most of its importance. If it had not been for the discovery of Tin, it might have been a complete ghost town by now. For the traveler Potosi is still quite an important place to go, mainly because of its architecture form the colonial heydays. The Casa Real de la Moneda is the star attraction here, but there are many churches and mansions worth visiting. A surreal experience you can live in this town, is a visit to the Cerro Rico. The mountain is a dantesque landscape, perforated with mining pits, of which hundreds still are in use. Bring some coca if you want to enter a mine, because if you don´t make a small contribution to the mine god Tio, bad things might happen inside. Workers will be all to happy to consume the coca afterwards to forget their miserable and dangerous working conditions. Potosi is the world's highest city, with a location at an altitude of more than 4000 meters; walking the streets of the city can be a tough job. The UNESCO named the city of Potosi a Cultural patrimony of humanity. :::::::::Salar de Uyuni Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Fisherman's island, Salar de Uyuni Fisherman's island, Salar de Uyuni Mariagudm Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat. It is located in the Departmento of Potosí in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, 3650 meters high. It's been said before: the Salar de Uyuni is surreal. A dried hill with huge cacti, that once was a coral island in a high altitude sea, surrounded by the flattest place on earth, with around that extinct vulcanos with a different colour left by every next eruption. Lakes whech are coloured red by bacteria, white by minerals and green by arsenic, filled with pink flamingos resisting the wind at 4000 meters altitude. Landscapes which must have shown themselves in a dream to Salvador Dali. Strange bunnyrabbits with a long tail inhabiting miniature canyons. You can visit this area, and it's redicoulously cheap. Basicly, you have to go with a tour. You'll spend one day on the Salar and two to three more days in the mountains to the south of it. Prices start at US$ 60 pp., everything included. In Uyuni about 60 agencies compete with exactly the same product. Ask help in choosing in the tourist information office. If you can form your own group, you can organize the trip like you want to. For a small extra cost, you can leave the jeep at the Chilean frontier, from where a bus can be arranged to San pedro de Atacama. If you're coming from Argentina, take the trip from Tupiza. This is slightly more expensive, but you spend a day-and-a-half without seeing other tourists and avoid the least interesting part of the trip (as done from Uyuni). You don't have to buy the trip from La Paz. This costs a lot more for the same service. Don't worry about not finding a tour or having to form a group: you're most likely to get bugged by several agencies on arriving in Uyuni (at whatever time of night). Practical. It's better to do the trip in summer (November-March), as it can get extremely cold in winter. However, this is also the wet season, so the Salar might be inundated. This makes for an even more surreal experience, but some people insist on seeing the salt. Accomodation is basic (independent of the agency you chose), and hot showers rare. Background info. Some 40,000 years ago, the area was part of Lago Minchin, a giant lake. When the lake dried, it left behind two modern lakes, Lagos Poopó and Uru Uru, and two major salt deserts, Coipasa and the larger Uyuni. Uyuni is roughly 300 times the size of the better-known Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States. Salar de Uyuni is estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt of which less than 25,000 tons is extracted annually. Every November, Salar de Uyuni is also the breeding grounds for three breeds of South American flamingos - Chilean, James and Andean. It is also a significant tourist destination ::::::::Santa Cruz Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see santa cruz ''Unida'' santa cruz ''Unida'' cambita Santa Cruz is a tropical city, built on a mesa. 12 hours from the city of Cochabamba by bus, and 50 minutes by plane, you see the magnificent mountains of the Occidental Real when you travel to the fastest growing city in Bolivia. The city is made up in rings, or anillos. In the first anillo, you will find the Post Office, One-hour photo, the Cathedral, the Central Park, and the cultural theatre. The central park has a sloth hanging around in the trees, watching everybody pass. Closer to the second and third anillos, you would find the markets like Siete Calles, and Dumbo's, an Ice Cream Shop that often mixed alcohol and ice cream to create some unique tasting items. Shopping was an interesting side trip. There is a black market that is legal to the public maybe two days out of the week, where you can find almost everyting your heart desires, South American style. Just don't forget your papers: guards will check to see of you are legally in the country and not just out to get a cheap price. Statues stand tall and proud at the cross-roads, often used as markers for those who are trying to navigate the city on their own, without the help of taxis and the bus lines. The Zoo is out by the third anillo, which carries a wide array of animals. Llamas and panthers are there, but the many brightly colored birds make up most of the interesting collection. __________Getting Around Edit This There is a local bus system that is very cheap and easy to use. If you speak Spanish, ask a local at a bus stop how to get where you want, as they are very helpful. If you ever ride the local bus be sure to hold on as they drive and stop very quickly. The anillos are growing constantly, and not all of them are paved. "I was there in the midst of a three month bus strike, but besides taxis, there is no better way to explore the town. Nothing much is safer, either." ___________Things to do Edit This i Around Santa Cruz, beautiful excursions can be made. You can visit for example Park Amboro, Park Noel Kempff, make a boat trip in the Amazon area or visit the Jesuit Missions. :::::::::Sucre Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Sucre Sunset Sucre Sunset The city of Sucre, located on the edge of the Anden region near Potosi was founded in 1538 as a city of La Plata and soon became capital of the audiencia of Charcas. In 1992 UNESCO declared the city a Humanities Cultural Patrimony. The long isolation of the city has helped it to preserve its courtly charm: naerly all buildings in the centre are painted in their original colonial white. In the vicinity of Sucre you will find Jatun Yampara, a handicraft center redeeming ancient weaving techniques, and Tarabuco village, where every Sunday there is a colorful native market. ___________Day Trips Edit This Tarabuco Tarabuco Hans de Roo Tarabuco. Traditional town near Sucre. The sunday market is a major touristical attraction, get there before 10 am. [Add Day Trip] The Canyon of Icla Edit This i Icla is a small village about 100 km out of Sucre. It is lower than Sucre and therefore the temperature is nicer. Just outside of the village of Icla there is a canyon that is really worth a visit. You do need to bring cloths and shoes that may get wet, because the three hour trip will take you in and out of the water a couple of times. The best thing is to book a tour from Sucre, they will organize the guide, transportation and if you want to stay a night also a room in one of the two local hostels. A two day trip also gives you the time to visit the rock paintings, the more.. World66 rating: [rate it] Hiking in the crater of Maragua Edit This The Crater of Maragua is a geological abberation and the experts are still not sure if it´s a real crater. The average hike starts usually on the mountain rim of the fryers mountain range near the Chapel of Chataquila. From there you can hike down the Inca trail (2 hrs) to Chaunaca and from there you hike into the crater of Maragua (3.5 hrs) where you can sleep in the small hostel. if you are there before sun set you can enjoy the beautiful changing colors of the rim of the crater. The next day you can hike to the village of Potolo (5hrs) and visit the dino tracks of Niñumayu more.. World66 rating: [rate it] email: happyinbolivia@gmail.com :::::::::::Tarija Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Tarija in the afternoon. Tarija in the afternoon. Qaya This is the most Argentine city of Bolivia in two ways: it´s habitants are descended from Argentine gauchos, and more importantly, it is a great wine region. The city has the same feel as towns like Jujuy and Salta in Argentina. There is the exotic Bolivian reality, but it has some metropolitan edges. In a place like El Gattopardo on the central plaza, you can really feel like being in an excellent European or Argentine restaurant, while sipping on an excellent local Concepciòn wine, and all that for Bolivian prices. There is also something Mediterranean about this place, in climate, vegetation, language (they sound like Spanish people) and agriculture. If you don´t want to do what everyone else does, you can take the excellent road to Argentina, which first goes through the mountains, then into a deep forested canyon. You can cross the border to Bermejo/Aguas Blancas, from where you can go deeper into Argentina, to the Parque Nacional Calilegua and further to Salta or Jujuy. The gringo trail leads from Tupiza to Salta via La Quiaca, so there are hardly any tourists here. _______Getting There Edit This If you get the chance: go or arrive via the road to the south, to Bermejo, where you can cross the border with Argentina. It's great surface and the scenery is unbelievable. The road to Tupiza on the other hand will shake your stomach untill, well, unitll it really hurts. If you take the night bus, don't eat out before leaving. :::::::::: Tiahuanaco Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Tiahuanaco or Tiawanacu or what ever spelling one can resort to is the premier archaeological site in Bolivia. The visitor immediately realises this by the staggering for Bolivia 10USD entrance fee. However, the money seems to be well spent. There is a bran new section of the adjacent museum with beautiful display of many stone statues and crowned with the mysteriously presented Pachamama. There are many attempts to compare Bolivia and Peru in what they have to offer in the realm of ancient architecture and history. The comparison is usually won by Peru with the many “Inca” sites around Cuzco , the Sacred Valley and beyond. Loaded with similar preconception, the visitor is pleasantly surprised to discover that Tiahuanaco has much more preserved statues to display than the “Inca” museum in Cuzco. The interpretation of history comes next. As always it is being used for satisfaction of national needs. In Bolivia ’s Tiahuanaco , the Incas are mentioned fleetingly, and the emphasis is placed on them being the secondary culture, imposed forcibly on the poor tiahuanacans. What exactly they did or did not do in Tiahuanacu is very important form the point of view that all the huge stone work is supposedly Inca in nature. This is not abundantly clear in Tiahuanacu and why would it be if Aymara is the heir and dominant group in Lake Titicaca area and Quechua is centered mainly on Cuzco . The megaliths in one of the opened-up pits of the site are larger than anything around Cuzco and curiously enough have the same “male-female” joints like in Ollantaytambo or Machu Picchu . Yes, indeed, everybody agrees that the Inca were in Tiahuanaco but the ruins have lost their Inca branding. What a pity!?! ::::::::Tupiza Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Tupiza Plaza Central Tupiza Plaza Central dvdream.ch Tupiza is a small city, with nothing much to do. But it´s located in a fantastic mountain area. It´s the best place in South America to feel like you're in a Western movie. The landscape feels like the Old West, and if that isn't enough to get your fantasy going: this was the area where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid found their end. If you like horses, this is the town where everything is possible. Ask for a slow horse or a fiery stallion. The canyon floors are perfect for galoping until your ass comes off. The most efficient way to do this is on a two day trip, but other options abound. There are also tours that combine horsebackriding with biking (cross country and a 800 meter decent). It's actualy better to visit the Salar de Uyuni from Tupiza than from Uyuni. Agencies are generaly better and you skip the boring ride back to Uyuni. It's bound to be a surreal experience and one that is cheap: four days, all included, will normally not surpass 100 dollars. If you want to do something in town, you can always circle around the plaza again and again, like the locals do for entertainment. There are plenty of reasonable restaurants, especially Italian styled ones. |
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La Bolivia è uno stato dell'America meridionale, situato nel centro del continente, senza sbocchi al mare. La sua superficie è di 1.098.581 km². Secondo il censimento svolto nel 2001, conta 8.274.325, mentre, secondo stime più recenti (2005) [1], avrebbe raggiunto 8.857.870 abitanti. La capitale costituzionale è Sucre, mentre la capitale amministrativa, dove è sita la sede del Governo, è La Paz. La città più popolata è Santa Cruz de la Sierra, con circa 1.5 milioni di abitanti. Confina a La Bolivia è una repubblica presidenziale. Oltre allo spagnolo sono considerate lingue ufficiali anche due lingue indigene: quechua e aymara. Sono parlate inoltre più di altre 20 lingue, principalmente nelle regioni orientali tropicali, appartenenti a vari ceppi linguistici, come il guarani e arawak, ed altre senza legami, chiquitano, yuracarè, ecc.
[modifica] Storia
[modifica] Storia precolombiana
Questa parte del continente americano è abitata dalla nostra specie da 15.000-20.000 anni. Nelle regioni andine dell'attuale Bolivia fiorirono numerose culture di cui la più importante è forse la cultura Tiwanaku, che si sviluppò tra il II secolo a.C. el il XIII secolo nella parte meridionale del Lago Titicaca. Molto più recente il dominio Inca, che data il XV secolo. L'impero del Tawantinsuyu venne sottomesso dalla conquista spagnola di Francisco Pizarro anche grazie alle lotte intestine per il potere. La Bolivia non è però solo un paese andino. I due terzi del suo territorio sono bassipiani tropicali. In queste regioni, da epoca anteriori alla cultura Tiwanaku, si svilupparono complesse organizzazioni umane che crearono e controllarono estese opere di ingegneria idraulica, nelle savane e foreste dell'attuale regione del Beni. La cultura delle Lomas di Moxos e Baures permise per quasi 3.000 anni l'esistenza di una densa popolazione che riuscì a convivere con le periodiche inondazioni di imponenti affluenti del Rio delle Amazzoni, come il rio Mamoré, Beni e Itenez.
[modifica] Colonizzazione spagnola
Venne invasa dai colonizzatori spagnoli di Francisco Pizarro nel 1538, che la denominarono Alto Perù, facendo rientrare il territorio nel vicereame del Perù. La storia subito dopo la conquista si muove su due direttrici principali: i contrasti politici interni della comunità spagnola e i rapporti tra spagnoli e indios boliviani. Dopo il conflitto di potere tra Pizarro e Almagro (risoltosi in favore di quest'ultimo), nacque il contrasto tra le pretese autonomistiche dei conquistatori rispetto alla madrepatria, rappresentata dal viceré. Si svolse così una lunga lotta intestina, in cui gli encomenderos spagnoli (i colonizzatori) volevano sottrarsi al pagamento di certe imposte, affermando la loro completa sovranità sulle colonie da loro sfruttate. Il rapporto con gli indios era invece basato su uno sfruttamento disumano, al pari di schiavi.
[modifica] Dalle ribellioni all'indipendenza
[modifica] Rivolte e moti indipendentistici
Questi elementi portano al nascere di
ribellioni antispagnole e a moti più esplicitamente indipendentistiche a
partire dal
XVIII secolo.
[modifica] IndipendenzaIl
6 agosto
1825 l'Alto
Perù si dichiarò indipendente, si instaurò la repubblica, cambiando il suo
nome in Bolivar, poi trasformato in Bolivia.
[modifica] Storia della Repubblica
[modifica] Le guerre di confineGli anni tra il 1828 e il 1900 vedono la Bolivia in guerra aperta o latente con il Perù, il Cile, il Paraguay e il Brasile, sempre per questioni di confine o per il controllo di giacimenti minerari o risorse forestali (1899-1900 guerra del Acre per il controllo dell'estrazione del caucciù). Il più importante di questi conflitti è certamente la guerra del Pacifico (1879-1884), in cui Bolivia e Perù si scontrarono con il Cile. La sconfitta in questo conflitto e i successivi trattati di pace sottoscritti ed approvati dal governo boliviano, portarono alla cessione del litorale oceanico boliviano che così perse il suo unico sbocco marino. La Bolivia si tenne sostanzialmente estranea alla Prima guerra mondiale, ma provocò il primo conflitto moderno del continente americano: la guerra del Chaco (1932-1935) contro il Paraguay. La disfatta di fronte al più debole Paraguay, che portò alla perdita di parte del territorio del Chaco boreale, nel sud-est del paese, fu originata anche a causa dei gravi conflitti interni al suo esercito, la corruzione di parte degli ufficiali di maggior grado e la quasi totale estraneità del territorio del Chaco alla realtà nazionale boliviana.
[modifica] Storia modernaLa guerra del Chaco portò al potere una nuova generazione di militari, con una forte enfasi nazionalista. Internamente la situazione restava caotica, con il dominio economico e sociale dei baroni dello stagno che controllavano l'intera economia nazionale. Fu opera di questi la destituzione degli ufficiali nazionalisti e l'istaurazione di un governo pro-USA che partecipò formalmente alla Seconda guerra mondiale. Questa partecipazione generò solo maggior risentimento nella popolazione, giacché si limitò alla fornitura agli USA di materia prima a prezzi irrisori, senza nessun reale riconoscimento per l'economia nazionale. Tutto ciò contribuì all'avvenimento storico di maggior trascendenza dall'indipendenza: la rivoluzione del 1952. Artefice della rivoluzione fu Víctor Paz Estenssoro e il Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (MNR). Venne istituito il suffragio universale, furono nazionalizzate le miniere di stagno e nel 1953 si decretò la riforma agraria. Con la rivoluzione nazionalista la Bolivia uscì, secondo l'opinione di molti, dall'età feudale.
[modifica] Storia contemporaneaL'MNR restò al governo, con importanti successi elettorali, fino al 1964, quanto un colpo di stato militare portò alla presidenza il generale René Barrientos Ortuño; fu durante il suo governo che si sviluppò la guerriglia del Che nel dipartimento di Santa Cruz. Fu lui a dare l'ordine di assassinare Ernesto "Che" Guevara il 9 ottobre del 1967. Barrientos morì l'anno dopo in un misterioso incidente aereo. Furono periodi di colpi di stato militari, anche qualcuno di sinistra. In questi anni la Bolivia partecipò al piano continentale di repressione e assassinio degli oppositori politici denominato Plan Condor, assieme a Cile, Argentina, Brasile, Paraguay e Uruguay. Al generale Hugo Banzer, succede Garcia Meza che istaura l'epoca della narco-dittatura, in cui la cocaina e il narcotraffico diventano strumento di pianificazione economica dello stato. A sorreggere il potere di Mesa e del suo ministro dell'interno, Arce Gomez, sono anche squadre di neonazisti e neofascisti italiani (tra i quali il terrorista Stefano Delle Chiaie). Con la caduta di Garcia Meza si chiudono anche gli anni del dorato esilio in Bolivia di Klaus Altman "Barbie", il carnefice nazista chiamato il boia di Lione, che aveva goduto di grande favore da parte dei militari boliviani e che verrà estradato in Francia al ritorno della democrazia nel 1982. Col governo democratico di Siles Zuazo (1982-1985) si apre il periodo democratico che dura tutt'oggi. La grave crisi economica durante questo primo governo, con un'inflazione a vari zeri, portò ad una nuova presidenza del MNR con Víctor Paz Estenssoro (1985-1989) che risanò l'economia al prezzo di gravi disagi sociali. La politica economica strutturata dall'MNR, definita neoliberale, proseguì con la presidenza di Paz Zamora, del Movimiento della sinistra rivoluzionaria (MIR), appoggiato dal partito dell'ex dittatore Banzer. Nel 1993 torna al governo l'MNR con Sanchez de Lozada (1993-1997). Si tratta di un governo riformista di impronta neoliberale, con l'appoggio di alcuni partiti della sinistra boliviana. Durante la presidenza di Sanchez de Lozada si promulgano molte importanti leggi di riforme sociale ed economica, come la legge di partecipazione popolare, la legge INRA e quella forestale. Si avviarono anche i processi di capitalizzazione di molte compagnie statali che portarono a contestazioni e accuse di vendere la Patria agli stranieri. Successivamente, durante la presidenza dell'ex dittatore Hugo Banzer (1997-2001), sostenuto da un'incontrollabile e corrotta mega coalizione di partiti di varia tendenza populista), furono capitalizzate anche le due raffinerie boliviane. Dopo la disastrosa presidenza di Banzer e, alla sua morte, del vicepresidente Jorge Quiroga (2001-2002), l'economia boliviana era al tracollo. Inoltre, durante la presidenza Banzer iniziarono con forza le lotte popolari con la rivolta dell'acqua a Cochabamba nel 2000, lotte che si sarebbero poi consolidate con negli anni seguenti. Nel 2002 è rieletto alla presidenza Sanchez de Lozada, detto Goni. Nel febbraio del 2003 una sommossa della polizia fa restare il paese senza forze dell'ordine per 3 giorni e porta ad uno scontro armato di alcuni reparti della polizia con l'esercito. Nell'ottobre del 2003 la sommossa si estende ed ha come epicentro la città altipianica di El Alto, cresciuta vertiginosamente negli ultimi anni, diventando la terza città della Bolivia. El Alto blocca i rifornimenti alla capitale La Paz, l'esercito spara sulla folla e il bilancio fu di una sessantina di morti. La situazione per Sanchez de Lozada si fece insostenibile dopo che il vicepresidente Carlos Mesa ritirò il suo appoggio al governo. Goni fuggì negli USA. Il vicepresidente, il giornalista Carlos Mesa, prende il suo posto ma, nonostante la sua abilità dialettica, il paese continua a vivere in perenne sommossa. Mesa convoca un referendum sulle risorse idrocarburifere che non accontenta le parti in conflitto. La sua ambiguità genera inquietudine nelle nuove aree economicamente centrali del paese, soprattutto la regione attorno alla città di Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Per la prima volta l'oriente della Bolivia, i due terzi del territorio nazionale, più volte considerato subalterno alla zona andina, parla di autonomia dal potere centrale e si ipotizza addirittura un movimento secessionista. Un'iniziale alleanza con il partito del dirigente dei produttori di foglie di coca, e capo del principale partito di opposizione, Evo Morales, si frantuma di fronte all'ambiguità del presidente, ai continui blocchi stradali ed alle richieste popolari di nuove elezioni e dell'istituzionde di un'assemblea costituente. Mesa, dopo aver assicurato il ricorso a nuove elezioni, passa la presidenza della Repubblica per le questioni amministrative a Eduardo Rodriguez, presidente della corte suprema.
[modifica] AttualitàNelle elezioni convocate per dicembre del 2005, Morales, del Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS), vince le elezioni con la maggioranza assoluta degli elettori. Nel gennaio del 2006 Morales si insedia come presidente. Nonostante la vittoria ottenuta, a causa della legge elettorale boliviana, il MAS ha la maggioranza alla camera ma non al senato. Il 1° maggio 2006, Morales nazionalizza, per la terza volta nella storia boliviana, gli idrocarburi, creando apprensione in Spagna e Brasile, principali compratori del gas boliviano e in Argentina, destinataria del gas della spagnola Repsol. Con questa riforma lo stato boliviano guadagnerà circa l'80% dei profitti dell'estrazione del petrolio. Nello stesso mese, il governo di Morales ha annunciato una nuova riforma agraria, con l'obbiettivo ufficiale di redistribuire la terra ai contadini. Si tratta di una proposta controversa e che potrebbe creare conflitti tra i nuovi concessionari di terre, principalmente di origine altipianica, quechua e aymara (come Morales), e gli oltre 30 gruppi indigeni delle terre tropicali amazzoniche e del Chaco, dove sono ubicate le terre a distribuirsi. Inoltre questa proposta potrebbe aggravare ulteriormente la distruzione di ecosistemi forestali e savane e porre in pericolo aree protette e parchi nazionali. Il 2 luglio del 2006 si sono svolte le elezioni per l'assemblea costituente. Il partito di governo, il MAS, ha ottenuto la maggioranza assoluta dei seggi (poco più del 50% dei voti e 137 assembleisti su 255 in totale, oltre ad alcuni eletti con altre sigle). Gli eletti all'assemblea si sono insediati nella città di Sucre il giorno della festa nazionale boliviana, il 6 agosto. Nonostante il testo di convocazione alle urne per la costituente, ed accordi anteriori, menzionasse che l'approvazione degli articoli e del nuovo testo costituzionale dovesse essere approvato dai due terzi degli eletti (170), il partito di governo di Morales vuole ora imporre l'approvazione degli articoli e del nuovo testo della costituzionale per maggioranza semplice.
[modifica] Geografia
[modifica] Geografia fisicaCompresa tra il tropico del Capricorno e il 10° parallelo S. Si distinguono tre aree geografiche:
[modifica] Morfologia
Due terzi del territorio boliviano sono, contrariamento a ciò che si pensa, bassipiani tropicali, tributari del Rio delle amazzoni o del Rio de la Plata. Questa enorme estensione di più di 700mila km², è coperto da foreste tropicali pluviali, umide, monsoniche e secche. Bolivia possiede la foresta tropicale secca più estesa al mondo nella regione del Chaco. Circa 250km² sono savane alluvionali, pantani e savane secche. Esistono inoltre grandi laghi amazzonici, i più estesi della regione. Nell'area boliviana le
Ande
raggiungono la massima larghezza; qui il sistema si sdoppia, divendendosi
in
Cordigliera Orientale o Reale e
Cordigliera Occidentale, che racchiudono l'area dell'altopiano andino.
[modifica] IdrografiaAi laghi dell'altopiano (Lago Titicaca, Lago Poopò, quest'ultimo oramai quasi prosciugato), si alternano aree poverissime d'acqua nello stesso altipiano o nel bassopiano del Chaco. Imponenti per dimensione del bacino idrico e la portata d'acqua i fiumi tributari del Rio delle Amazzoni, come il Mamoré, il Beni, il Madre de Dios e l'Itenez.
Il Rio Piray (guaranì, rio di pesci
o pesci nell'acqua) nei pressi di Santa Cruz de la Sierra, sullo
sfondo le prime pendici andine
[modifica] ClimaData la morfologia del territorio e l'ampio spazio latitudinale occupato, la Bolivia possiede una delle maggiori diversità climatiche della Terra, ciò che permette un'ampissimo spettro di specie coltivabili, sia tipiche di climi continentali e temperati, come la patata o l'avena, di climi mediterranei, come l'uva e l'olivo, e climi tropicali, come il cacao e il banano. Nell’altipiano andino propriamente detto le precipitazioni non superano i 500 mm annui nella fascia umida del settore nord e la temperatura media annua è inferiore ai 10ºC. Il settore meridionale è più secco e tendente alla formazione desertica. Le terre tropicali dell'oriente boliviano hanno due climi principali. A nord del parallo 18ºS, il clima è propriamente amazzonico, con breve stagione secca e temperatura variabili tra i 22 e 26ºC di media e precipitazioni tra i 1.000 e 3.000 mm/anno. Il settore a sud del paralleo 18ºS ha un clima più mite e secco, con temperature medie tra i 20 e 22ºC e precipitazioni tra i 500 e 1.000 mm/anno. In questo settore si hanno le maggiori escursioni termiche del tropico boliviano, con massime superiori ai 35ºC e minime anche inferiori allo 0ºC. Il settore più piovoso, e tra quelli con le maggiori precipitazioni del bacino amazzonico, è la fascia preandina, 180-700m slm, tra i dipartimenti di Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Beni e La Paz. Le precipitazione vanno da 2.500 a 5.000 mm anno, ma in alcuni settori superano i 6.000mm annui.
[modifica] Temperatura e precipitazioniRiferimento climatico valido solo per l'area andina
[modifica] Geografia umana
[modifica] PopolazionePopolazione totale: 9.427.000 Densità: 8.5 per km² (proiezioni INE 2005)
[modifica] EtnieSecondo l'ultimo censimento del 2001 dell'Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (INE), la popolazione indigena rappresenta circa il 49,95% della popolazione totale. Percentuale che arriva al 73,20% se consideriamo le sole zone rurali. Secondo il CIA World Factbook 2006, la popolazione boliviana è costituita dai seguenti gruppi etnici: quechua 30%, aymara 25%, meticci 30%, europei 15%. In realtà, in Bolivia esistono attorno a 40 gruppi etnici, la maggior parte ignorati da questi dati e abitanti originari principalmente nelle pianure tropicali della Bolivia orientale [2]. Inoltre il processo di meticciato è stato continuo dal tempo della conquista spagnola e per questo una chiara ed inequivocabile definizione etnica non può esser determinata facilmente. Anche l'attuale presidente Morales non potrebbe esser considerato esclusivamente di etnia aymara essendo imparentato con cholos, la definizione boliviana del meticcio tra quechua o aymara con europeo. Il dato della CIA sembra più un'informazione linguistica riferita ai quechua e aymara parlanti. Nonostante questo il riferimento linguistico non assegna automaticamente un'appartenenza etnica. In questo senso va menzionato come, dopo gli avvenimenti della rivoluzione nazionalista del 1952, il processo storico di integrazione che essa avviò portò anche alla rimozione dell’identità indigena, vista allora come un’eredità negativa della conquista e dello stato para feudale prerivoluzionario, facendo delle genti quechua e aymara un popolo contadino. Tuttora tutte le federazioni rurali quechua e aymara sono federazioni di contadini o coloni, dove non si menzona il termine indigeno. Solo recentemente il presidente Morales ha recuperato la nozione indigena anche per quechua e aymara, pur restando gli unici che si definivano e continuano a definire indigeni quelli delle terre orientali tropicali. Infine non va dimenticato come il quechua fu mantenuto e fomentato in forma pianificata dagli spagnoli come strumento di omogeneizzazione linguistica nelle terre andine per facilitarne quindi anche il dominio. Per questo vennero gradualmente rimosse le altre lingue andine (nelle Ande boliviane, oltre al quechua e aymara, rimane solo un piccolo nucleo di lingua Uru). La diffusione del quechua contò anche con l’intervento della chiesa che, col frate domenicano Domingo de Santo Tomás, produsse la prima grammatica di lingua quechua già verso la metà del XVI secolo. Anche per questi motivi, quindi, il dato dei parlanti quechua supererebbe quello degli appartenenti realmente all'etnia quechua, portando, talvolta, a sovrastime dei dati relativi alle etnie. Nelle regioni orientali amazzoniche e del Chaco della Bolivia vivono circa 500mila indigeni, in cui è certamente maggior la perdita delle conoscenze linguistiche ancestrali ma non del concetto di appartenenza etnica, che ha avuto nella marcia per il territorio e la dignità del 1990 [3] [4] un'affermazione chiara e cosciente dei popoli indigeni boliviani delle pianure tropicali [5]. Le popolazioni indigene del tropico amazzonico e del chaco boliviano appartengono principalmente ai gruppi:
Importanti anche altri gruppi etnici non appartenenti a famiglie linguistiche specifiche: chiquitos, yuracaré, cayubaba, movima, ecc. Queste popolazioni delle terre tropicali della Bolivia rappresentano più del 5% della popolazione totale boliviana. In Bolivia gli abitanti nati nelle regioni orientali tropicali (2/3 del paese), siano essi di origine europea, meticci o indigeni, vengono colloquialmente chiamati camba. Parimenti gli abitanti delle regioni andine, vengono definiti, anche se spesso in forma dispregiativa, colla.
[modifica] ReligioneL'articolo terzo della Costituzione boliviana riconosce e sostiene la libertà di culto. La maggior parte della popolazione è cattolica (75%) ma sono in forte crescita culti genericamente definiti protestanti e movimenti cristiani detti sette, molto popolari nei quartieri periferici delle città. Si stanno riproponendo con forza anche gruppi che fanno riferimento a rituali religiosi ancestrali preispanici. Molte scuole ed università sono di proprietà di gruppi religiosi di vario orientamento, cattolici, Bahai, la setta Moon coreana, ecc. La chiesa cattolica ha in Bolivia 4 arcidiocesi, sette diocesi, due prelature e cinque vicariati apostolici. Tra i più importanti avvenimenti religiosi degli ultimi decenni, si possono menzionare la vista di Giovanni Paolo II, nel 1988, e la nomina a cardinale, il primo boliviano, di monsignor Terrazas, arcivescovo di Santa Cruz.
[modifica] Geografia politicaLa Bolivia è divisa in 9
dipartimenti (departamentos). Ogni dipartimento si divide in
province (provincias) per un totale di 112 su tutto il territorio
nazionale. A sua volta ogni provincia si divide in comuni (municipios).
Attualmente sono presenti 327 comuni.
La Paz: El Alto 800.000, Cochabamba: Quillacolo 124.000 Sacaba 146.000, Tarija: Yacuiba 108.000, Santa Cruz: Montero 90.000, Beni: Riberalta 88.000.
[modifica] Geografia economicaProdotto Nazionale Lordo: 970$ pro
capite (91° posto della classifica mondiale).
Maiali liberi per le strade di
Montero
Secondo i dati della tradizionale statistica mondiale, la Bolivia ha uno dei redditi pro-capite tra i più bassi del continente. Questo dato contrasta con la grande ricchezza di risorse naturali e la scarsa densità della popolazione, che potrebbe far pensare ad una maggior disponbilità economica per gli abitanti. Le ragioni sono numerossime: distribuzione non equitativa delle ricchezze, errata politica sociale, dipendenza dai mercati esterni, scarsa formazione scolastica, ecc. Punti di forza: Abbondanza di risorse naturali (minerali, petrolio, gas, foreste, terra, acqua, ecc). Bassa densità della popolazione. Punti di debolezza: Corruzione. Mercato delle materie prime vulnerabile alla fluttuazione dei prezzi. Economia informale. Contrabando. Struttura educativa inadeguata.
[modifica] RisorseProduzione di energia elettrica:
805.000 kw.
[modifica] IndustriaLe attività industriali sono incipienti e Bolivia continua ad essere un importatore netto di prodotti finiti, molti dei quali entrano nel paese di contrabando. Nononstante le difficoltà strutturali della Bolivia, con una scadente rete stradale e ferroviaria, in questi ultimi anni, dato anche il basso costo della manodopera e le irrilevanti garanzie sociali per i lavoratori, sono aumentate notevolmente le attività manifatturiere. Nella città di El Alto si sono sviluppate le industrie tessili e di altre manifatture principalmente destinate all'esportazione. La citta di Santa Cruz de la Sierra ha una fiorente industria alimentare, tessile e di materiali per la costruzione. Una delle più importanti attività industrali nazionali è la produzione della birra. Due le raffinerie di petrolio, a Santa Cruz de la Sierra e Cochabamba. Numerosi i cementifici. Negli ultimi anni hanno acquistato peso la trasfomazione di materie prime di origine forestale per l'esportazione, come il legno pregiato (mogano e cedro principalmente) e la noce del Brasile.
[modifica] Trasporti
2 taxi e un carretto nella periferia
di
Montero
Il parco automotore della Bolivia è aumentato notevolmente negli ultimi 10 anni. Si è avuto un fenomeno che potrebbe definirsi, in analogia con quello avvenuto in Italia negli anni '60, di motorizzazione del paese. Parte di questo fenomeno si deve all'aumento notevole delle strade asfaltate, grazie a crediti principalmente internazionali, e al contrabando di veicoli usati di origine giapponese (trasformati artiginalmente per essere adeguati alla guida a destra), che hanno fatto abassare i prezzi delle autovetture in precedenza notevolmente alti a causa dei dazi imposti all'importazione legale. Attualmente il parco vetture del paese e di circa mezzo milione di veicoli. Rete stradale: 41.642 km.
[modifica] Turismo1 visitatore l'anno ogni 21 abitanti.
[modifica] AgricolturaL'agricoltura ha subito notevoli trasformazioni negli ultimi decenni, principalmente dopo la riforma agraria del 1953. Da un'attività quasi esclusivamente di sussistenza, si è trasformata in uno dei motori economici più importanti del paese. Le attività agricole si sono sviluppate soprattutto nelle terre orientali tropicali. In queste regioni parte delle foreste originarie sono state rimosse per far spazio alle coltivazioni. Attualmente Bolivia è uno dei principali esportatori mondiali di soya, molta della quale di origine transgenica. Esporta inoltre sorgo, zucchero, cotone, girasole, sesamo ed altre oleaginose. La maggior parte di questi prodotti verrano poi destinato dagli importatori per l'alimentazione animale.
Alcuni camion che trasportano canna
da zucchero
Nelle aree tropicali si coltiva anche il riso, la coca, la manioca, il mais, il banano (e la sua variante ricca in amidi, commestibile dopo cottura, nota come platano) e moltissimi altri prodotti. Dalle foreste si estraggono il caucciù e la noce del Brasile, di cui la Bolivia è, nonostante il nome, il principale esportatore mondiale. Nelle aree andine l'agricoltura è principalmente di sussistenza e/o destinata al commercio interno: vi si coltivano ortaggi, patate, un tubero chiamato oca, mais, orzo, grano e la quinoa.
[modifica] AllevamentoL'allevamento più diffuso è quello dei bovini, sia nelle estese savane tropicali, come nei pascoli andini. Numerosi anche gli ovini, caprini e suini. Molto importante l'allevamento di volatili (polli) che vengono anche esportati ad alcuni paesi limitrofi. L'allevamento dei camelidi, come il lama e la vigogna, è frequente in isolate aree andine. L'itticoltura viene praticamta principalmehte nell'area del lago Titicaca, con specie introdotte, come le trote. In fase di sperimentazione l'allevamento nelle aree tropicali di un grosso pesce frugivoro della famiglia dei serrasalmidea (la stessa del piraña), localmente noto come pacù.
[modifica] PescaDi una certa rilevanza la pesca nei bacini idrografici dei bassipiani tropicali, sia nel rio Pilcomayo, affluente del Rio della Plata, come nei tributari del Rio delle Amazzoni.
[modifica] La problematica ambientale in BoliviaL'attività umana ha avuto e continua ad avere un grosso impatto sugli ecosistemi naturali della Bolivia. In epoca storica gli isolati boschi delle Ande, composti principalmente da una specie sempreverde del genere Polylepis (localmenmte nota come queñua) vennero quasi totalmente distrutti per usi civili (legna e costruzione). Nelle aree tropicali gli ambienti naturali si erano conservati quasi intatti fino alla metà del XX secolo. Gli effetti sugli ecosistemi dell'alta densità della popolazione durante lo sviluppo delle cultura idraulica de las Lomas sono solo ipotizzabili dato che le modifiche macroclimatiche del XIII secolo decimarono quelle popolazioni obbligandole al semi-nomadismo. Durante l'auge dello sfruttamento della gomma, nelle foreste del nord della Bolivia, negli attuali dipartimenti di Beni e Pando, tra la fine del XIX secolo e gli inizi del XX secolo, si ebbero localmente effetti negativi sulla fauna che però si ristabilì una volta cessato il boom economico dell'estrazione.
[modifica] BiodiversitàBolivia è nota come un paese megabiodiverso. Pur restando ancora notevoli margini di ricerca, attualmente in Bolivia sono state classificate circa 25 mila specie di piante, 1.400 di uccelli, 550 di pesci, 325 di mammiferi, 260 di rettili e quasi 200 di anfibi. Questa enorme divesità biologica è però in alcuni casi, come per altri paesi del bacino amazzonico, fortemente minacciata. Gli ecosistemi naturali maggiormente minacciati sono quelli delle foreste tropicali, che hanno subito una notevole riduzione sia in termini di estensione come di valore biologico. Si può stimare che annualmente vengono distrutti ben 700.000 ettari di foreste. Questo dato è stato in costante crescita negli ultimi 20 anni e in forte aumento negli ultimi 5 anni. Le ragioni princiali di questa minaccia sono concomitanti fenomeni: espansione della frontiera agricola, agroindustria, imprese del legname, caccia sportiva e di sussistenza.
Fabbrica di mattoni nella periferia
di
Montero
[modifica] Espansione frontiera agricolaSi tratta di un fenomeno che interessa Bolivia principalmente dalla metà degli anni ’50, con la rivoluzione nazionalista del 1952 e la succesiva riforma agraria del 1953. Per accontentare la richiesta di terre il governo avviò un piano di colonizzazione per i contadini quechua e aymara verso le aree dei bassipiani orientali tropicali: si chiamò questo processo la "marcia verso l'oriente". Uno dei principi di questo fenomeno era che si trattasse di terre inabitate. Quelle terre invece, per quanto non sottomesse ad attività umane intensive, erano abitate da numerosi popoli indigeni. Si ebbe così un fenomeno, poco studiato, di una popolazione indigena maggioritaria, quella andina quechua e aymara, che invade i territori e marginalizza gradualmente i popoli indigeni minoritari amazzonici e del chaco. Questo processo è tuttora in evoluzione e la colonizzazione agricola del tropico interessa ora tutte le regioni orientali ove si insediano, od occupano terre, contadini provenienti dalla realtà geografica andina con scarse o nulle conoscenza dell’ambiente tropicale e dei suoi metodi agricoli. Tal fenomeno si può constatare osservado come i terreni dei coloni andini siano spesso, per varie ragioni (maggior interrelazione col mercato, mobilità stagionale, interessi vari e non unicamente agricoli), una tabula rasa della passata foresta, mentre le popolazoni locali, originarie o meticcie, conservano nei loro terreni ampi spazi naturali e, attorno alle case, un vero orto botanico in cui possono incontrarsi più di 50 specie vegetali di varia utilità (alimentare, costruzione, medicinale, tessile, cosmetica, rituale, ecc.). Poco noto è anche il fenomeno dell’impatto ambientale della coltivazione della coca. Oltre all’inquinamento di fiumi e ruscelli - per l’uso di sostanze chimiche nel primo processo di trasformazione delle foglie di coca in pasta base di cocaina, processo che si svolge quasi esclusivamente nei luoghi di produzione delle foglie - le coltivazioni di coca hanno portato alla distruzione di grandi settori delle foresta pluviale del piedimonte andino, una delle foreste a maggiore biodiversità della Terra, inclusa quella del Territorio Indigeno e Parco Nazionale Isiboro Secure e del Parco Nazionale Carrasco.
[modifica] AgroindustriaAnche in questo caso si tratta di un fenomeno recente che ha avuto forte crescita prima negli anni '70 e quindi, in forma decisiva, dagli anni ‘80 del secolo scorso, con l'espansione costante della coltivazione della soia, espansione appoggiata anche da un grosso programma della Banca Mondiale. Le coltivazioni di soia, ed in periodi successivi, anche di sorgo, girasole e sesamo, hanno portato alla rapida distruzione delle foreste all'est e al nord della città di Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Negli ultimi anni anche l'incremento delle coltivazioni di riso verso il dipartimento del Beni hanno accresciuto ulteriomente il processo di deforestazione. Le attività agroindustriali, pur teoricamente vigilate e normate dalle leggi nazionali, sono in realtà esenti da controllo, sia nel processo di rimossione degli ambienti naturali, come nell’occupazione dei territori dei popoli originari, nell’uso di pesticidi (glifosato) e di semi di provenienza transgenica. Data l’importanza che ha gradualmente acquisito nell’esportazioni boliviane, il settore agroindustriale viene considerato quasi intoccabile ed esente dall’applicazioni delle normative nazionali. Nonostante questo, le attività agroindustriali - controllate non solo da grandi gruppi locali ma che hanno gradualmente inglobato anche settori di ex coloni di origine andina, imprese brasiliane ed emigranti di origine russa e il gruppo dei mennoniti - contrariamente da quanto propagandato, generano scarsi benefici al paese, con pochi e pracari posti di lavoro, vaste aree sottoposte ad erosione e un possibile cambio climatico locale con un futuro forte impatto negativo. Inoltre, approfittando degli accordi doganali di cui gode, Bolivia importa soia (transgenica) anche dal Brasile e Paraguay per reesportarla a paesi terzi. Va menzionato che la soia della Bolivia, già in buona parte transgenica, viene importata in Europa in grandi quantità a tasso doganale di prefenze attraverso il patto andino. Questa soia finisce nelle tavole degli europei in forma di carne ottenuta da animali alimentati con mangimi in cui essa rappresenta una fondamentale percentuale.
[modifica] Le imprese del legnameDi una superficie di foreste stimata in 500mila km2, la Bolivia può contare attualmente su un’estensione di circa 400mila km2 di cui solo forse meno della metà ancora non sottoposta in epoca recente a sfruttamento forestale. Questo dato viene corroborato dalla scomparsa commerciale in Bolivia del mogano (Swietenia macrophylla), localmente noto come mara, dopo che per un paio di decenni era stata tra il primo e il secondo esportatore mondiale di questa pregiata specie. Lo sfruttamento forestale in Bolivia è recente come l’agroindustria e, come questa, ha acquisito grande importanza dagli anni ’80. Con la legge forestale in vigore fino al 1996, un’estensione pari quasi alle dimensioni della penisola italiana, era dato in concessione semi-gratuita a circa un centinaio di impresa forestali nazionali. Il governo di Sanchez de Lozada approvò nel 1996 la nuova legge forestale, considerata tra le più avanzate del continente che, con l’istituzione della superintendenza forestale, finalmente poteva contare con un organo normativo e di controllo efficiente e quasi esente da corruzione (forse unico caso in Bolivia per una ripartizione dello stato). Alla nuova legge forestale si deve l’istutuzione di un sistema impositivo sulle concessioni forestali, che ridusse notevolmente le dimensioni di queste, l’obbligatorità di formulare un piano di gestione forestale per le concessioni che fosse approvato tecnicamente da esperti esterni ed interni della superintendenza, l’apertura alla partecipazione legale dello sfruttamento sostenibile delle foreste per le popolazioni indigene e i municipi rurali, ecc. Nonostante la realizzazione di un reale cambio di comportamento delle imprese del legname, l’incentivo per un maggior livello di trasformazione tecnologica del legno, l’inclusione di nuove specie che hanno sostituito il monosfruttamento di mogano e cedro (Cedrela sp.) e il rafforzamento di settori forestali non dedicati al legname, come quello della noce del Brasile, negli ultimi anni la grande concentrazione dell’opinione pubblica nel tema idrocarburi, ha relegato in un secondo piano l’interesse per la conservazione e giusto uso delle risorse forestali boliviane. Anche in nuovo governo di Morales non sembra interessato a questo tema: quando si parla di risorse naturali si menzionano solo petrolio e gas o, ultimamente, terra. Non esiste nel nuovo governo del MAS un piano per la continuazione di una politica di uso uso sostenibile delle risorse naturali potenzialmente rinnovabili come le foreste. Tutto ciò ha di fatto riportato inidetro la Bolivia di molti anni: i controlli e la rigorosità della superintendeza nel monitoreare le imprese del legname stanno venendo meno e sembra che la Bolivia potrebbe riavviarsi all’epoca dello sconsiderato struttamento delle foreste.
[modifica] EsportazioniUSA 20%, Argentina 13%, Perù 12%, Regno Unito 11%, Svizzera 9%.
[modifica] ImportazioniUSA 23%, Argentina 15%, Giappone 12%, Brasile 11%, Cile 6%, altri 33%.
[modifica] Cultura
[modifica] AlfabetizzazioneTasso di alfabetizzazione: 84%.
[modifica] IstruzioneObbligo scolastico fino a 14 anni.
[modifica] SanitàNon esiste un sistema sanitario pubblico.
[modifica] AmbienteIl 14,0% del territorio è protetto.
[modifica] Arte
[modifica] LetteraturaRara e discontinua la produzione letteraria in spagnolo fino al 1700, quando sulla spinta di interessi politici indipendentistici, alcuni scrittori si fecero interpreti delle esigenze patriottiche e libertarie dell'intellettualità creola: Benjamín Lenz, Gualindo, José Bustamante. Nella seconda metà del
XIX
secolo si distinguono romanzieri storico-realisti (Guzmán,
N. Aguirre), a cui si affiancano i seguaci delle correnti letterarie
nate in altre regioni del continente o in
Europa (Ricardo
Freire,
Villalobos). Nel
XX
secolo si sviluppano le due tendenze tipiche della letteratura
sudamericana: l'orientamento poetico decadente che si estrania dalla
realtà e dai problemi, ed un indirizzo socialmente impegnato.
[modifica] PoliticaIl potere esecutivo è affidato al presidente della repubblica. Il potere legislativo è affidato alle due camere, che formano il Consiglio Nazionale: Senato (27 membri), Camera dei Deputati (130 membri).
[modifica] Voci correlate
[modifica] Altri progetti
[modifica] Collegamenti esterni
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