Bolivia Facts
Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America. It is named after Simón Bolívar, a revered hero and leader who contributed to the country’s independence. Its three major cities are Santa Cruz de la Sierra (largest city), Sucre (constitutional capital) and La Paz (administrative capital). It is bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru.
Square Miles: 424,163 sq mi
Population: 9,247,816
Religion: Roman Catholic 95%
Language: Spanish, Quechau, Ayamara
People: Quechua 30%, Mestizo 30%, Aymara 25%, White 15%
Education: Rural illiteracy levels remain high, even as the rest of the country becomes increasingly literate. Children from rural areas attend school for 4.2 years. Children in urban areas receive an average of 9.4 years. Dropout rates also remain extremely high. Only one-third of first graders completed the fifth grade, 20% started secondary school, 5% began their postsecondary studies, and just 1% received a university degree. Dropout rates were higher among girls and rural children. Only about 40% of rural youngsters continued their education beyond the third grade.
Birth Rate: 22.31 births / 1,000 population
Infant Mortality Rate: 49.09 deaths / 1,000 live births
Land: Rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills and lowland plains of the Amazon Basin. Bolivia is about twice the size of Texas.
CIA, The World Factbook and Wikipedia
Learn more...
Contact
Henry del Castillo
ETC Coordinator
(817) 946-7200
delcasth@aol.com