Bolivia
Plan a visit or move to Bolivia with current conditions, practical signals, maps, local people, and sourced context.
Check visit & living safetyUpdated Saturday, October 17, 2026 · sourced live layer and versioned editorial content
AI-assisted, evidence-constrained research · how this page is made
Would you visit or live in Bolivia?
Choose your plan and circumstances. The result changes immediately using today's advisory, weather, air-quality, and sourced local signals.
Suitable with normal precautions
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises avoiding all but essential travel to parts of Bolivia and notes a current State of Emergency.
high source confidence · current planning signal, not a personal-safety guaranteeSee the evidence and calculation
- Current official alerts require extra planning
- Latest air-quality reading is not elevated
- State of Emergency in effect
- Avoid all but essential travel to certain parts
The score combines dated official-advisory wording, weather, air quality, sourced local context, and your selections. It does not predict crime or individual outcomes. Check local authorities and professional advice before a safety-critical decision.
Climate normals · 2016–2025
When to go: Bolivia month by month
Judged purely on 2016–2025 weather records, the friendliest months in Bolivia are typically September, October and November, with average daytime highs around 22–23°C. October is usually the warmest month (average high 23°C), June the coldest (average low 6°C), and January the wettest (about 153 mm). These are long-run averages, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20.2 | 11.2 | 153 | 10.6 |
| February | 19.3 | 11.1 | 142 | 9.9 |
| March | 18.8 | 10.8 | 135 | 9.4 |
| April | 19.1 | 9.9 | 66 | 9.4 |
| May | 19.7 | 8.2 | 17 | 9.9 |
| June | 19.9 | 6.3 | 8 | 10.2 |
| July | 20.2 | 6.4 | 9 | 10.3 |
| August | 20.9 | 6.7 | 17 | 10.3 |
| September | 22.6 | 9.2 | 29 | 10.4 |
| October | 22.8 | 10.3 | 63 | 10.4 |
| November | 22.4 | 10.9 | 80 | 10.4 |
| December | 20.6 | 11.3 | 144 | 9.9 |
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People and places shaping Bolivia
AI-assisted local research, regenerated with the dated live layer. Every requested module remains visible; facts appear only after a source check, and unavailable categories explain what is still being researched.
Research updated Monday, September 28, 2026Past and future events in Bolivia
Upcoming
No future event in Bolivia currently has a sufficiently reliable date and source. This is checked again on every refresh.
Previously
- Chuquisaca Revolution
The first cry of Freedom in Latin America starting in Sucre on May 25, 1809.
- War of the Pacific
Conflict between 1879 and 1883 in which Chile occupied vast territories rich in natural resources south west of Bolivia.
- Bolivian National Revolution of 1952
Established universal suffrage, nationalized lucrative tin mining, and enacted limited land reform.
- 2026 Bolivian regional elections
Held on 22 March 2026 to elect nine governors and assembly members of the nine departments.
Sources checked (25)
- Bolivia
- Bolivia heads to a runoff election after upset ends decades of ruling ...
- In Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz Faces an Electoral Stress Test
- Bolivia - World Leaders
- Rodrigo Paz - Wikipedia
- Rodrigo Paz: Presidential Inauguration Address (transcript-video)
- 2026 Bolivian regional elections - Wikipedia
- Bolivia: Freedom in the World 2018 Country Report
- Diseases Impacting Bolivia and the Work To... - The Borgen Project
- Political Developments in Bolivia · Bolivia (BOL) · n41669 · 2026-09 …
- Explainer: Bolivia's 2025 Elections - AS/COA
- Ministerio de la Presidencia - Gob.bo
- The Indigenous World 2026: Bolivia - IWGIA
- He's not running, but Evo Morales looms large in Bolivia vote
- Bolivia protests: Opposition governor's arrest stirs anger - BBC News
- Rodrigo Pas Ferara
- US midterm elections: Why Bolivia's lawmakers are 50% women - BBC News
- 4 countries where women have gained political power—and the obstacles they still face
- Bolivia Politics & Government — System, Leaders & Stability | 360 …
- Meet Matt — Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
- Bolivia Explained 2026 — Paz, the Fuel Crisis and the IMF
- El presidente de Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, anunció la entrega de 89.000 ...
- The world's leading data visualization tool for international trade data.
- Bolivia’s Governance Crisis Under Rodrigo Paz - CSIS | Center for ...
- Wikidata structured records for Bolivia
Interactive geography
Explore the shape of Bolivia
Keep the deeper context
Stable history, culture, districts, and practical reference remain in the main reading flow while the live layers above continue changing.
01 · CultureCulture and creative life in Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in central South America. Its geography primarily consists of an Andean region to the west and tropical lowlands to the east and north.
How does geography shape the country?
The geography of Bolivia encompasses a wide range of climates and biomes across its regions and cities, including the high-altitude Altiplano plateau, the vast Amazonian plain, the Gran Chaco, temperate valleys, snow-capped peaks, and mountains. One-third of the country is within the Andean mountain range. Along its eastern border, the nation includes part of the Pantanal, which is the largest tropical wetland in the world.
Where are the major urban centers situated?
While most population and urban centers lie in the Andean region, the largest city and principal industrial center is Santa Cruz de la Sierra, located in the eastern tropical lowlands. Meanwhile, the seat of government is La Paz, and the constitutional capital is Sucre.
02 · SafetySafety and practical guidance for Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in central South America, bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Its geography primarily features an Andean region to the west and tropical lowlands to the east and north, incorporating the Amazonian plain, the Gran Chaco, temperate valleys, the high-altitude Altiplano plateau, snow-capped peaks, and mountains.
How does the geography influence physical conditions?
One-third of the country lies within the Andean mountain range, creating high-altitude environments and diverse biomes across its regions and cities. This striking geographic Andean-lowland divide shapes distinct environmental conditions throughout the territory.
What are the limits of static safety writing?
Durable reference texts cannot provide real-time risk assessments, crime rates, healthcare evaluations, policing details, or temporary advisories. Because local conditions and transient events change continuously, permanent records do not contain transient updates.
How should readers verify current conditions?
Readers should consult the dated live layer and use official or local sources to verify current safety information. Local evidence for daily security and real-time advisories must be checked directly through official governmental or international channels. When local evidence is unavailable in permanent reference materials, users must rely on up-to-date external resources.
03 · TravelTravelling through Bolivia
Where is Bolivia located within South America?
Bolivia is a landlocked country situated in the central region of South America. It shares its borders with Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west.
What are the primary geographical features of Bolivia?
The geography of Bolivia is characterized by an Andean region occupying its western territory and tropical lowlands stretching across the north and east. Encompassing an area of 1,098,580 square kilometers, the terrain features the high-altitude Altiplano plateau, mountains with snow-capped peaks, temperate valleys, the Gran Chaco, and the vast Amazonian plain. One-third of the country lies within the Andean mountain range, and its eastern border includes a portion of the Pantanal, which is the largest tropical wetland in the world.
How is the governance of Bolivia structured geographically?
The sovereign state is divided into nine departments. While the constitutional capital and seat of the judiciary is Sucre, the seat of government hosting the executive, legislative, and electoral branches is located in La Paz. Most population and urban centers are concentrated in the Andean region, though the principal industrial center and largest city is Santa Cruz de la Sierra, situated in the eastern tropical lowlands.
04 · HistoryHow Bolivia took shape
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in central South America. Its geography features an Andean region to the west alongside tropical lowlands to the east and north.
How did ancient societies shape the Andean terrain?
Centuries prior to Spanish colonization, much of the territory formed part of the Tiwanaku polity, which collapsed around 1000 AD. The Colla–Inca War of the 1440s subsequently marked the beginning of Inca rule in western Bolivia.
How did Spanish colonial rule impact the region?
Spanish conquistadores took control of the region in the 16th century. During the colonial era, the area was administered by the Real Audiencia of Charcas, and Spain built its empire in large part upon silver extracted from Cerro Rico in Potosí. Following an unsuccessful rebellion in Sucre on May 25, 1809, sixteen years of fighting preceded the establishment of the Republic, named for Simón Bolívar.
What territorial and political shifts followed independence?
Over the course of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Bolivia lost peripheral territories, including its Pacific coastal region seized by Chile in 1879 and the Acre territory taken after Brazil's 1899–1903 takeover. Governed by an oligarchy until the Bolivian National Revolution of 1952 established universal suffrage and nationalized tin mining, the country experienced a succession of military and civilian administrations until the last non-elected military ruler left office in 1982.
05 · OverviewBolivia, in brief
Bolivia is a landlocked country located in central South America, officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Spanning an area of 1,098,580 square kilometers, the sovereign state is bordered by Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west.
What defines the physical layout and topography of the country? Bolivia features a distinct geographic divide, consisting primarily of an Andean region to the west and tropical lowlands to the east and north. Approximately one-third of the nation is situated within the Andean mountain range, encompassing high-altitude plateaus, snow-capped peaks, and mountains. The varied terrain also includes temperate valleys, the Gran Chaco, and the vast Amazonian plain. Along its eastern border, the country includes a portion of the Pantanal, which is the largest tropical wetland in the world.
How do inland water systems connect this landlocked nation to the ocean? Alongside Paraguay, Bolivia is one of two landlocked countries in the Americas and stands as the largest landlocked nation in the Southern Hemisphere. Despite lacking a direct ocean coast, the country features inland ports that access the Atlantic Ocean through two major river systems: the Acre-Purus-Amazon and the Paraguay-Paraná.
Where are the principal political and urban centers situated? The nation is divided into nine departments, with most population and urban centers concentrated in the Andean region. Governmental authority is shared between two cities: La Paz serves as the seat of government, housing the executive, legislative, and electoral branches, while Sucre functions as the constitutional capital and the seat of the judiciary. In contrast, the largest city and principal industrial center, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, is located in the eastern tropical lowlands.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bolivia
Essential geographic, demographic, currency, and travel context verified from primary records.
01 · Q&AWhat is the capital city and population of Bolivia?
The capital of Bolivia is Sucre, and the total national population is estimated at 11,353,142.
02 · Q&AWhere is Bolivia located and what is its total area?
Bolivia is located in South America, spanning an area of approximately 1,098,580 km².
03 · Q&AWhat currency and languages are spoken in Bolivia?
The official currency is Boliviano (BOB) and recognized languages include ES-BO, QU, AY.
04 · Q&AWhat are the major cities and regions in Bolivia?
Prominent cities and cultural hubs mapped across Bolivia include La Paz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Cochabamba, Sucre, Oruro.
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