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Flamingos in Bolivia. Photo by mtorrazzina-

30 Great Facts about Bolivia

Bolivia officially called the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in western-central South America. The country’s population is estimated at 12 million, and a land of 37 official languages. Bolivia has a diverse culture complemented by unique landmarks, a fantastic culture and dynamic history.

The country allows visitors to have a great experience exploring its beauty. To learn more, below are 30 Great facts about Bolivia.

1. Bolivia Gained Independence in 1825

Bolivia was under Spanish reign and was initially called Upper Peru. With the help of Simon Bolivar, he led the wars of independence, and Bolivia managed to gain independence on August 6, 1825.

After gaining independence, it was renamed from Upper Peru to the Plurinational State of Bolivia, named after Simon Bolivar, a political and military leader.

2. Bolivia is Named After Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan Leader

Sim贸n Bol铆var, 1st President of Bolivia. Photo by Jos茅 Toro Moreno-

Simon Bolivar was a Venezuelan military and political leader who significantly led the wars of independence across South America from the Spanish Empire. He liberated countries, including Bolivia, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru, from Spanish rule.

The country is named after Simon Bolivar to honour him for liberating the country. He was also the first official president of Bolivia from August 6, 1825, to December 29, 1825.

Read more about Top 15 Facts about Simon Bolivar

3. Bolivia Has More Than 30 Official Languages

Although Bolivia is predominantly a Spanish-speaking country, there are 36 indigenous languages which have an official status and are widely spoken throughout Bolivia. Quechua is one of widely spoken indigenous language with over 7.2 million speakers. Guarani and Aymara are also the most spoken native languages, among many others.

4. Bolivia’s Highest Population is Indigenous People

Bolivia indigenous people are Bolivian people who are of indigenous ancestry, and the highest population in the country consist of them. This makes Bolivia the country with the highest population of indigenous people in Latin America. Bolivia is one of the best countries to visit to learn more about its history, local tradition and culture.

5. Bolivia Has Two Capitals

One fact people don鈥檛 know about Bolivia is that La Paz is the country鈥檚 capital city. This isn鈥檛 true, La Paz is the administrative capital meaning its home to the official government seat and finance center.

Sucre is the official capital of Bolivia because it is where the Supreme Court of Justice is located. Technically, La Paz is still a capital, and Sucre is the actual capital, as stated in the Constitution of Bolivia.

6. Bolivia Has the World鈥檚 Largest Salt Flat

Piles of Salt Salar de Uyuni Bolivia. Photo by Luca Galuzzi-

The world鈥檚 largest salt flats are found in Bolivia, called Salar de Uyuni, and it is massive, with 10,582 square kilometers. Salar de Uyuni is a popular destination always full of tourists from all over the world. During the wet season, when the salt is covered with water, it becomes reflecting, making it the world鈥檚 natural mirror, becoming a great place to take iconic photos of the sky on land effect.

Discover Top 10 facts about Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

7. Bolivia is one of the Two Landlocked Countries in South America

When Bolivia gained independence in 1825, there was a fight with Chile on who to control access to the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, Chile won, gaining access to the coastline, and from that time, Bolivia had no access to the Pacific Ocean.

8. The Highest and Largest Navigable Lake is Located in Bolivia

Lake Titicaca. Photo by Yamil Maidana Tuco-

Lake Titicaca, which stands at a surface elevation of 3,812 meters in the Andes Mountains, is the largest navigable lake in the world. Bolivians believe the lake is the sun’s birthplace, so it is spiritual and sacred. Lake Titicaca is a popular destination for tourists to enjoy its chilled vibe.

9. Carnaval de Oruro is a Popular Festival in Bolivia

Carnaval de Oruro is a well-known indigenous festival celebrated since the 18th century. Over the years, the indigenous ceremony has transformed to incorporate a Christian ritual around the Virgin of Candelaria.

During the festival, folk dancers specializing in 18 different folk dances perform a pilgrimage to the shrine of the Tunnel every Saturday of the carnival in a traditional parade.

10. The Bolivia Flag is Symbolic

Flag of Bolivia. Photo outsourced from Wikimedia

The Bolivia flag symbolizes its history, and its colors have meaning. The flag has red at the top, yellow in the middle, green at the bottom, a Bolivian coat of arms in the center, and flags and canons with the national bird on top.

Red symbolizes bloodshed during the fight for independence, yellow represents the country鈥檚 wealth and mineral deposits, and the green represents agriculture and the country’s landscape.

11. The Quechua People Have the Largest Population

 Bolivia has about 36 indigenous cultures. However, the Quechua people have the highest population, and they are inhabitants of the mountains Andea and primarily farmers.

12. There are Two Different Voting Ages in Bolivia

Interestingly, the age at which you can vote depends on your marital status in Bolivia. It is also good knowing voting in Bolivia is a mandatory requirement. You can vote at the age of 18 if you are married, but if you are single, you will vote at the age of 21.

Also read 10 Most Famous Bolivian People

13. San Pedro Prison in Bolivia is a Tourist Attraction

San Pedro is the largest prison in La Paz, which is known for being a society of itself. The prison differs from others because it allows inmates to live with families, have jobs, and rent or buy accommodations. The sale of cocaine base to visiting tourists gives inmates income and unusual freedom within the prison.

14. Bolivia has one of the World鈥檚 Largest Butterfly Sanctuaries

Do you love adventure, you will love it in Bolivia. It features one of the largest butterfly sanctuaries in the world. The vast butterfly sanctuaries feature 24 hectares and are home to more than 1000 species. Located 20 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz, you can visit all year.

15. Bolivia is Extremely Biodiverse

Numerous ecosystems thrive in Bolivia because of its climate. Bolivia has four types of biomes, 199 ecosystems and 32 ecological regions. 

 The country had over 2,900 animal species, 17,000 species of seed plants and more than 60 domestic animals. The biodiversity has enabled Bolivia to have several natural parks and reserves, such as the Madidi National Park, Tunari National Park and Noel Kempff Mercado National Park.

16. Madidi National Park is One of the Largest Protected Areas in the World

Black-capped squirrel monkey at Madidi National Park. Photo by Rodrigo Mariaca-

Located in the upper Amazon River basin, Madidi National Park was established in 1995, and it covers an area of 18,958 square kilometres. The park is part of one of the largest protected areas in the world. Madidi has recorded more than 8,000 species; others are still waiting to be discovered.

17. You Can Only Watch Cholita Wrestling in Bolivia 

If you are an explorer, you will get to enjoy Cholita wrestling. You will watch indigenous ladies’ wrestle. The match begins with a male attacking a female, and the Chilota always triumphs, mostly body-slamming her attacker. This is a popular activity when you visit Bolivia.

18. Bolivia Has a Real Salt Hotel Called Palacio de Sal (Palace of Salt)

There are other smaller salt hotels in Bolivia, but Palacio de Sal is located on the shore of Salar de Uyuni. The hotel offers luxury accommodation, blending salt into elements such as ceilings, walls and furniture, all made from salt.

19. Bolivia Has the Most Dangerous Road in the World

Yungas road-Death road. Photo by Alicia Nijdam-

The North Yungas Road links to Laz Paz and has been dubbed 鈥淒eath Road鈥�, with an estimated kill of 300 people in a year. A drive along the road is deadly because of poor visibility, Treacherous Mountain conditions, inadequate infrastructures and absence of guardrails.

However, the road was closed, but it has remained a tourist attraction with travelers flooding all over. It has also become a popular guided bike tour.

20. The Bolivian Amazon Has Pink Dolphins

The pink dolphins are found in the Bolivia Amazon basin, and there were first discovered in 1832 and 2012. There are pink in color and become pinker when excited and are among the most intelligent freshwater species with a brain capacity 40% larger than the human brain.

President Evo Morales introduced a law to protect them, calling them a national treasure.

21. Bolivia Has Precious Gems, Specifically Ametrine

Faceted ametrine quartz. Photo by James St. John-

Ametrine, also called Bolivianite, is a purple-yellow coloured precious gem only extracted in Bolivia. The Anahi mine in the province of Santa Cruz is an ametrine mine currently known worldwide.

22. In Bolivia, You Can Find Three of the World鈥檚 Six Flamingo Species

Three different species of flamingo are found in the Bolivian Andes; The Chilean, Andean and James鈥� Flamingos all inhabit Bolivia. If you want to see these flamingos, you can visit Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve.

23. Guinea Pig is a Delicacy in Bolivia

Guinea pig is eaten as traditional meat and is a significant part of Bolivia鈥檚 diet, especially in the Andes highland. It is served roasted, fried or boiled and is usually served whole with the legs and head pointing up.

24. Military Service is Mandatory in Bolivia

The history of conscription in Bolivia is complicated. Since 1904 military service has been mandatory for all fit men between the age of eighteen and forty-nine.

25. Evo Morales Was the First Indigenous President of Bolivia

The former president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, is widely regarded as Bolivia’s first president of its indigenous population. He served from 2005 to 2019 and focused on implementing left-wing policies, improving the legal rights and socioeconomic conditions of Bolivia鈥檚 previously marginalized indigenous population.

 He also focused on combating the political influence of the United States and resource-extracting multinational corporations.

Discover 10 Best Football (Soccer) Players from Bolivia

26. Cal Orko in Bolivia has 5055 Footprints of Dinosaurs

Dinasour footprints at Cal Orko. Photo by Diego Tirira-

Interestingly 5055 footprints from at least eight different species of dinosaurs in Bolivia on Cal Orko. Cal Orko is an imposing limestone slab 1.5 kilometres long, and the dinosaurs’ marks are 68 million years old.

The footprints are on a vertical wall created through tectonic plate activity that pushed the flat ground to become vertical and has since become a famous spot for tourists from around the globe.

27. Catholicism is the Main Religion in Bolivia

Nearly 80% of the population in Bolivia practices Catholicism. Only a small Bolivia population is protestant. However, the indigenous population still observes spiritual and pre-Christian beliefs; the practices are practised in the mirror of the catholic religion.

28. Bolivia Has Two of the World鈥檚 Highest Cities

Potosi city. Photo by Dan Lundberg-

Bolivia’s Potosi and El Alto cities are the world鈥檚 highest cities. Potosi’s altitude is 13,420 feet, and it is best known for its silver mines, while El Alto has an altitude of 13,615 feet and is the world鈥檚 highest administrative city.

29. The Clock on the Congress Building Runs Backwards

 The clock on La Paz鈥檚 congress building runs backwards. Its importance is to remind people of their pre-colonial roots and meant to pay homage to the indigenous heritage of Bolivians.

30. Bolivia Was Part of the Inca Empire

The country was part of the Inca empire from the 15th until the early 16th century. It was formerly the centre of the ancient Tiwanaki empire.