Bolivia- Land of Mountains

June 10, 2016

Bolivia is a landlocked nation in South America that is bordered by Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Brazil, and travellers from India to Bolivia just u need a valid passport, a return flight and a 90 day visa which can be collected upon arrival in Bolivia from La Paz, Santa Cruz airport, and if you approach by land then you can apply for a visa beforehand which is free of charge. The main language spoken there is Spanish along with native languages such as Chiquitano and Aymara and the currency is the Bolivian boliviano.

Around a third of this beautiful country consists of mountains, known as the Andean Mountain Range, which are perfect for climber and hikers. Bolivia also has the Atacama Desert and of course the Amazonian rain forest. The capital city of Bolivia is Sucre but the administrative capital is La Paz, which is nestled in the Altiplano plateau of the Andes’, which is close by the globally renowned Lake Titicaca, which is the biggest lake in South America. Before the Spanish conquered the Americas, there were local, very powerful tribes who lived in the area and this is reflected in the population of Bolivia, which includes Europeans, Amerindians, Asians, Africans and Mestizos and this area was historically part of the Incan Empire.

Modern day Bolivia incorporates the Andean Highlands with the Amazonian Basin and its economy is supported by forestry, mining, fishing and agriculture and the country has high deposits of tin. If you love wild creatures then Bolivia is home to many new species such as many species of macaw and the annelated coral snake. Bolivia is a place of adventure and outdoor pursuits such as paragliding over lush valleys or paddling down the Amazon.

Bolivians also enjoy music and dance and the country is famed for its costumed parades with vibrant brass bands and flamboyant dancers in some spectacular costumes and headdress. There are still remnants of the ancient pre- Incan culture, such as El Fuerte, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features the remains of some 500 homes, and sculpted features such as stone jaguars, snakes, and pumas, and this site was obviously of great religious significance for the native people. Food in Bolivia goes from llama steak through to canapes, which are cheese and bread balls and sonsos, which are yucca and cheese pancakes, and there are also Bolivian wines such as Tarija and quinoa based beers. A trip to Bolivia from India is truly a trip to get all your senses working.