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A
Glance at Bolivia
 Bolivia
is located in the heart of South America, between 57° 26' and 69° 38'
longitude west of the Greenwich or Prime Meridian and parallels
between 9° 38' and 22° 53' latitude south. It has an area of
about 1.098.581 sq. km. (424,194 sq. mi). The countries that border
Bolivia are Brazil to the north and east, Argentina to the south,
Peru to the west, Paraguay to the southeast, and Chile to the
southwest.
The three geographic zones that make up the Bolivian territory
are: Andean region, sub Andean region, and the flatlands region.
Andean
region
The Andean region claims 28% of the national territory. It
extends an estimated 307,000 sq. km. (191,875 sq. mi.). Within
this region are three sub regions: the western mountain chain or
volcanic, the eastern mountain chain, and the high plateau. Also
located in the Andean region are the La Paz, Oruro, and Potosi
districts. The registered temperatures are the lowest in the country
and reach up to 25°C (45ºF) below zero. The maximum average
temperature is 17° C (62ºF).
Western mountain chain
It runs about 620 km (387 mi) from northwest to southeast in the
western part of the national territory. This section of mountains is
just a strand of the entire Andes mountain chain that boasts
impressive snow-capped peaks with an altitude of more than 6000 m
(19,680 ft). It lies to the west of the Potosi, Oruro, and La Paz
districts, on the border with Chile, and uniting with the mountain
chain in the Vilcanota knot in Peru.
Eastern mountain chain
The Eastern or Royal mountain chain enters Bolivia through the city
of Apolobamba and runs from northwest to southeast. In the northern
sector it divides the waters or marshes of the central Amazon basin,
and in the southern sector, it separates the high plateau pit from
that of El Plata.
The Royal Andean mountain chain maintains a critical influence
over the climate of the regions that it passes through. The climate
is more warm and humid on the northeastern side, causing these
regions to be considered some of the most pluvial in the world.
Consequently, the southwestern region of the mountain chain
possesses a much less precipitation index. This mountain chain has a
highly concentrated in minerals.
 High
Plateau
The territory known as the High Plateau, surrounded by the Royal and
Western mountain chains is an extensive plain with some transversal
and longitudinal elevations. Its average altitude is 3750 m. (12,300
ft.). It covers an area of approximately 100,000 sq. km. (62,500 sq.
mi.). At the same time, the High Plateau is an enclosed hydrographic
pit without any kind of outlet to either the Atlantic or Pacific
ocean.
The
Valleys (sub Andean) Region
This zone possesses a warm, temperate climate, with fertile
valleys and registers average annual temperatures of 16° to 20° C
(61º to 68ºF). Located in this region are the districts of
Cochabamba, Chuquisaca,
Tarija and part of the Santa Cruz district.
The Eastern or Royal mountain chain that passes through Bolivia
from the northwest towards the southeast regulates the climates of
the higher strips of land. The southwestern flank is less humid than
the northwestern.
From the elevations of higher than 6000 m. (19,680 ft.), the
Royal mountain chain rapidly descends until its almost seated in the
northern and eastern flatlands of Bolivia (at an average height of
250 m. or 820 ft.)
Opening up within the Andean folds of the south and southwestern
edges of the Royal mountain chain (central and southern
region) is a series of valleys that vary in elevation with
ample soil and a moderate, warm climate, averaging annual
temperatures between 16 and 20ºC (61 to 68ºF). The Cochabamba,
Santa Cruz, Sucre, and Tarija valleys, whose agricultural richness
is qualitatively and quantitatively important to the economy of the
nation, are considered valuable Bolivian territory. These valleys
produce vegetables, potatoes, wheat, barley, corn, beets, sweet
potatoes, yacón, peaches, cherries, plums, pears, strawberries,
blackberries, chirimoyas, grapes, etc.
Flatlands
Region
Opening up from the northeastern foothills of the Royal mountain
chain, are the eastern flatlands with their moderate-tropical
climate from the northeast, east and southeast. This region covers
75% of the national territory and registers average annual
temperatures from 22° to 25° C (72º to 75ºF). The final
spurs of the Andean mountain range extend into the La Paz,
Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz districts and more to the north, the
districts of Beni and Pando.
 The
north and northeastern flatlands
From the branches of mountain that stretch from the Andes toward the La Paz, Cochabamba
and Santa Cruz districts, the northern flatlands are covered with
natural grass and trees of precious wood. More to the north, in the
Pando and Beni districts, the natural forests become more dense and
the temperature is more ardent due to its proximity to the Equator
and its low elevation.
The northern flatlands in the districts of La Paz and South of
Beni, due to the ground's composition which consists of
impermeable layers of clay and thin layers of shale and sand from
alluvial deposits, displays extensive pastures and some islands of
trees. Shallow swamps or lagoons are formed in these areas. The
prairies of Moxos become flooded in the summer because of the dense
layers and few hills. However, they still offer a wide area of land
suitable for livestock. The rivers that cut through this territory
are navigable and also home to more than 600 species and subspecies
of fish.
The northern region of the Cochabamba district offers a wide
landscape for agriculture and livestock.
The north of Santa Cruz produces wood, cotton, corn, soy, sugar
cane, etc. thanks to adequate precipitation and hot climate.
The eastern and southern flatlands
The eastern region of Bolivia, is completely woody. The temperature
is warm-tropical with a yearly average of 23 to 25ºC (73 to 77ºF).
The plains of this region are cut by the sierra range of Chiquitos.
The southeast and southern part of the national territory that
includes various provinces of the Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca and Tarija
districts is hot. The sand-covered ground absorbs rainwater quickly
and produces xerophytic vegetation: cactus and other spiny plants,
even though there are also concentrations of woody trees such as
quebracho, cedar, guaiacum, etc. This region is known as
"Chaco" (large, bordering region) because it proves itself
to be an intensive-extensive cultivator of cotton, soy, corn,
etc.
El Chaco is also apt for raising bovine cattle, horses, goats,
and pigs. The Pilcomayo river contains rich icthyological fauna that
allows the fishing industry to exist.
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