Bolivia
Area: 1.1 million sq. km. km
Population: 9.6 million
Capital: Sucre (official)
Language: Spanish
Currency: Boliviano
Average temperatures: winter from +10 ° C, in summer from +23 ° C

General information on Bolivia

Bolivia is situated practically in the center of South America. Once she was part of the great empire of the Incas – are preserved to the many pre-Columbian ruins of the cities of the era. The Incas have adapted to live in hard alpine climate, and now the majority of the population lives in the Altiplano plateau, here is the actual capital of the country and La Paz – the highest capital in the world (Sucre – the nominal capital). From the natural attractions of Bolivia highlights national parks, which are considered among the richest in the world, the highest ski resort Chacaltaya planet and the largest dried salt lake in the world, Salar de Uyuni.

Climate of Bolivia

The climate is tropical and sub-equatorial plains and a sharply continental in the mountains. The most severe climate observed in the Altiplano plateau: from October to February daytime temperatures reach +18 +20 ° C, and night +10 +12 ° C. In winter (May-August) temperature in the daytime +15 +17 ° C, and at night +2 +4 ° C, and in areas that are located above 4000 m, and frequent frosts. On the eastern plains, the climate is more hot: summer +32 +34 ° C daytime and +23 +25 ° C at night, in winter +20 +22 ° C daytime and +15 +17 ° C at night. Annual rainfall: in the west and south-western part of the Altiplano – up to 150 mm in the eastern and northern parts of it – up to 600 mm on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Real – up to 1500 mm, in the Oriente – up to 2000 mm. Maximum precipitation occurs in the warm season from December to February. Favorable time to visit the country – from late June to early September, when the probability of rain is smallest.

Bolivia Money

Boliviano (BOB, sometimes called the “peso”) is equal to 100 centavos. Coin of 1 and 2 Bs, 10, 20 and 50 centavos, and notes 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Bs. U.S. Dollars accepted almost everywhere.

Traditions Bolivia

Bolivia’s Indians have developed traditions and ancient architecture, most fully embodied in the monuments of Tiahuanaco culture. This religious center, located near Lake Titicaca, includes a hill-Akapana pyramid and temple complex Kalasasaya. Traditions of Indian architecture and the impact of colonial architecture: its distinctive feature is particularly monumentality and the severity of buildings. The decor of the number of churches found Indian ornamental motifs.

Kitchen Bolivia

Bolivian cuisine – one of the most unusual in the world: she has kept in its original form, many ancient recipes. Among them, empanadas Celta Vigo (served with garlic, raisins, potatoes, hot sauce and pepper baked in dough), or with potatoes – Tucuman, fried steak and eggs, rice and fried banana “lomo-mentado, fried chicken with potatoes and salad “pikante de polo” or simply roasted over an open fire chicken “polos-spedo” soup “chayro, dried and roasted meat alpaca” Chark “, dried in a special way potatoes” Chuco “thick soup” lakuas “, fried with potatoes, onions, tomatoes and peppers sausage, mashed bananas or yucca meat alpaca Masako, fried pork ribs with sweet potatoes and fried bananas” lechin al-horn “and other meat dishes (meat in general is in a dominant position in the local cuisine).

Bolivia Attractions

Tiwanaku – the highest ancient city of the New World. The same name was and the whole South American civilization, which originated in a relatively small area, then acquired an unprecedented scale. Myths about the main Inca deity Viracocha connected with the Tiwanaku and the surrounding Lake Titicaca. City Tiwanaku was built as a religious center with a distinct astronomical and ceremonial significance. This is the first building of its kind in the Andean region, harboring advanced at the time model of the scheme and move from life to death.

La Paz

La Paz is located at 4 km above sea level and is the “high” capital of the world. The city resembles a lunar crater – even oxygen is not enough. But the life and beauty of the capital are concentrated in its people and culture, rather than in the surrounding landscape. It is interesting to observe the crowd: women wear tall hats (on one side if you are alone, and directly, if married), and large shirts, businessmen and politicians flaunt in white shirts and beggars asleep under awnings, looks like a sarcophagus. Center of public life are the church of St. Francisco and the Witches Market, selling amulets, tinctures, handcrafted jewelry and sweets. Among the many museums in La Paz particularly noteworthy museum Kostumbrista Juan de Vargas and the Museum de Metales Presiosos Pre-Kolumbinos which are silver, gold and copper ware pre-Spanish period.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable body of water in the world. It stretches for 233 km from northwest to southeast and 97 km north-east to south-west. Lake with 36 islands, is famous for its picturesque beaches and crystal blue water. Surik Island is known throughout the world with his reed boat Totoro, the island Kalahuta – stone tombs and the Inca on the island there are ancient underground passages leading into the old Inca capital of Cuzco in Peru.

Lake Colorado

Lake Colorado is located in the south-eastern Bolivia in the remote highlands, resembling balls of ice cream, drenched with chocolate. On the shores of the lake inhabited by rare birds, including the James’s Flamingo. The temperature there can drop below -20 ° C, but cold air is filled with the smell of resin bush yareta used as fuel.

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