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Information Sheet Last Updated:
Geography
Bolivia is generally divided into 3 regions and 10 ecological zones. Politically, there are 9 administrative departments: Beni, Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, and Tarija.
1. Altiplano, above 3000 m
This is the area that instantly springs to mind when Bolivia is mentioned. High flat plains surrounded by glacier covered peaks up to +6000m. Aymara and Quechua speakers dominate these agricultural plains, producing the country's vast variety of potato and other root crops, along with quinua and hardy legumes. The rains from December to April are critical to these crops, the rest of the year cloudless skies ripen crops and then dry the soils. The population diminishes southwards into the high deserts and salt pans.
2. Eastern Valleys, 2000-3000 m
Once totally covered by Cloud Forest these high mountain valleys quickly drop down from the Altiplano. They are frequently cloaked in clouds in the afternoon as warm air rises from the eastern lowlands. Spectacular views are seen from any of the several "Inca Trails" which traverse the area. Much of the cloud forest remains in the less accessible areas, close to settlements the land is used for growing fruits and vegetables. The more southerly valleys are much more arid and in the south one enters an area of dry forest. The wine-growing areas are in the extreme south.
3. Tropical lowlands, below 1500m
In the northern lowlands stretch vast areas of tropical rainforest. To the east and south, the land gradually changes to prairie and savannah. Further south sub-tropical forest and swamps give way to the dry thorny scrub typical of the Chaco
