Bolivia

David BeckettLaura BielawskiCarlos Feliciano

Lindsay FieldJohn Sheehan

Brief History

Gained independence from Spain on Aug. 6, 1825

Named after Simon Bolivar

Area slightly smaller than Montana

Highland plateau, Andes Mountains, hills, lowlands (Amazon Basin), Lake Titicaca

Land-locked

Brief History

Three equal horizontal bands with coat of arms centered on yellow band

Red for the bravery of the Bolivian soldier Yellow for mineral wealth Green for the fertility of the land

Population

Estimated at 8,724,156 people in 2004 21 people per square mile – one of the lowest

population density numbers in South America Population is currently growing at a rate of

1.56%, birth rate is strong at 3.08 95.5% are below the age of 65

Population

Ethnic breakdown of Bolivia is spread relatively evenly amongst Quechua, Mestizo, Aymara, and white

Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara are the official languages

Literacy of total population is 87.2%

Religion

Vast majority of the population of Bolivia is Roman Catholic (roughly 95%)

586 Catholic parishes in the country of Bolivia Presence of native religions Some Protestant and Evangelical Methodist

churches.

Religion

Blends of Roman Catholicism and native religions in some areas of the country

Stems from distrust of Europeans

Work & Economy

In terms of GDP per capita, Bolivia is the poorest country in South America

70% of Bolivians are below the poverty line

Causes Hindered by political instability Unable to develop natural

resources Lack of a major seaport

Work & Economy

GDP Composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 33.2% services: 51.9%

Primary agricultural products soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane,

rice, potatoes; timber

Work & Economy The Coca Leaf Society

Bolivia is the world’s second largest producer of coca leaves

Primarily used by starving people in the highlands to combat oxygen deprivation Only source of income and food

Governmental drug agencies attempting to eradicate production

Work & Economy

“Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place” Traditional culture vs. Modernization President Sanchez de Lozada’s goal

of market-oriented economy Free-trade agreement with Mexico Associate member of Southern

Cone Common Market Privatization of a state airline,

telephone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company

National/Popular Culture

Most indigenous country in Latin America 85% of the population is Quechua,

mestizo, or Aymara

After revolution in 1952, Bolivians began to identify themselves with their Quechua and Aymara backgrounds

National/Popular Culture Music

Strictly regional Ranges from soft and sad in the

barren lands of Altiplano to disco music in the nightclubs

Folk music Most popular

Dance Cueca- national dance of Bolivia Example

www.dancilla.com/search.asp?crit=cueca

Carnival

Main event held in Oruro 12,144 feet above sea level Population triples during

Carnival

Costumes represent: Satan The Virgin Mary Indian heritage

Customs

Everyday life: Greetings

Eye contact Tap on the shoulder “Reverse racism”

Dress Men – shirts, slacks Women – skirts, should never wear pants

Customs

Gifts Flowers – acceptable colors

Celebrations Carnival

famous for Oruru Celebration “diablita” or devil dance

Food - Meals

Lunch is the main meal of the day

Dinner is composed of 2 snacks at 4:00 / 5:00 pm and 9:00 / 10:00 pm

Expected to eat everything off of your plate

Food

Very spicy

Two types of sauces commonly used: Llajua Halpahuayca

Potatoes frequently served w/ meals

Food

Two most popular meals:

Sajtachicken in a hot pepper sauce

Chairo lamb, potatoes & other vegetables

Drink

Coca leaves are frequently used to make beverages Mate de Coca – tea made of coca leaves

Prevents altitude sickness

Popular alcoholic drinks – Chufle, Singani and Chicha Chicha: fermented corn or grain drink, otherwise known as

“maize beer” Religious ties with Incas

Never pour wine with the left hand Hold the bottle of wine by the neck when pouring

Language

Bolivia has three official languages:

Spanish

Quechua

Aymala

Language

Spanish Spanish Conquistadors

Quechua Official language of the Inca Empire

Aymala Language of the Aymala people of the Andes

Government

The government of Bolivia is a Republic, under a constitution that passed in the year 1967.

The legislature of Bolivia has a congress that is bicameral. It is composed of a 27 member senate (3 from each department) and 130 member chamber of deputies.

Government

La Paz is one of the two capitals of Bolivia, where the seat of government lies. Sucre is where the legal capital and seat of judiciary.

Government Cont.

There are nine major political divisions in the republic of Bolivia: Tarija Postosi El Beni Santa Cruz La Paz Pando Oruro Cochabamba Chuquisaca.

Conclusion

A colorful history, infusion of native religions with Catholicism, and largely indigenous population make Bolivia distinctive.

Being a land-locked country can be a hindrance, but improvements to the economy have been made.

Although Bolivia currently exists as the poorest country in South America, it is rich in culture and traditional values.