Bolivia is a landlocked South American country with the constitutional capital of Sucre and seat of government La Paz, the highest capital in the world, and the surreal Salar de Uyuni salt flats.
Geography & landscape
Bolivia sits in South America, in the southern hemisphere of South America. With an area of approximately 1,098,581 km², it is a continental-scale country, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Sucre, lies near coordinates -17°, -65°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of South America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider South America region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Bolivia.
People & society
The population of Bolivia is around 12M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Bolivia recognises multiple official languages — Spanish, Quechua, Aymara and +33 — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Bolivia is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Sucre, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Bolivia is the Boliviano (BOB). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Sucre and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Bolivia shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Bolivia through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Sucre, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +591, and clocks are set to the BOT (UTC-4) time zone. ISO standards identify Bolivia as BO (alpha-2) and BOL (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇧🇴, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Sucre | — |
| Continent | South America | — |
| Sub-region | South America | — |
| Population | 12M | people |
| Area | 1,098,581 | km² |
| Currency | Boliviano (BOB) | — |
| Calling code | +591 | international dialling |
| Time zone | BOT (UTC-4) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | BO | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | BOL | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | -17 | degrees |
| Longitude | -65 | degrees |
Did you know?
La Paz, Bolivia's seat of government, sits at 3,640 metres — the highest capital city in the world by elevation.
