Known as the highest capital city in the world, La Paz is situated high above sea level while sitting in a bowl enveloped by Altiplano.  La Paz as a magnificent view of the triple peaks called Illmani that are always touched by snow.  This capital city is a wonderful place to visit with a rich culture, warm people, and beautiful views. 

Nestled between Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru, Bolivia is the fifth largest country on the continent.  The size of Bolivia is quite large, being approximately the size of Spain and France combined.  There, you will discover the country is divided into five distinct regions.  First, you have Altiplant, which is a tall plateau sitting about 11,480 feet above sea level.  This particular region stretches from the Peruvian border to Argentina border. 

The next region is the highland valleys, which sit to the south and east of Altiplano.  The soil is rich and fertile soil and the climate absolutely perfect, making this a wonderful area for farming.  Then, there is the Yungas that form the transition zone.  This is a fascinating region in that you have the cold, icy peaks of the Andes coupled with the hot and steam rainforests of the Amazon.  Next is Chaco, a plain located along the borders of Argentina and Paraguay that is so hot and dry, it is uninhabitable.  Finally, Bolivia has the swampland region of the Amazonian Basin.  There, you will find savannas, rainforests, and scrub that cover a large portion of the east and north sections of the country. 

If you enjoy seeing abundant and unusual wildlife, then a trip to Bolivia is in order.  Because it has such a small population and there is not much development, wildlife is massive.  For example, llama, jaguar, anteater, capybara, alligator, rhea, alpaca, vicuna, tapir, and condor all call Bolivia home.  Getting a glimpse of wildlife is commonplace and something the locals take for granted. 

The climate in Bolivia is also interesting.  Although you will typically enjoy cool temperatures with periods of rain from November to March, there are some areas that are extremely cold such as La Paz and Potosi.  Snow in these areas is common and because of the runoff, the Altiplano region often floods.  However, when visiting during the dry period, the weather is beautiful.  There are hotter areas in the lowlands but even then, the nights tend to be cool. 

It is believed that civilizations living within the Bolivian Andes date back to around 21,000 years.  While there were several cultures, the Tiahuanaco (pre-Columbian) was probably the most influential.  These people lived all around Lake Titicaca and ruled this area from AD 600 to 1200.  Another strong influence was the Inca Indians, ruling a vast empire that consisted primarily of Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. 

Then in the early 1500s, Francisco Pizarro led the Spanish quest.  Amazing to everyone, the conquistadors made very fast progress where they exploited the Indians, gaining their trust to take over the territory, which was accomplished in a mere two years.  This territory soon became known as Alto Peru. 

Then by 1544, a discovery of small quantities of gold was made in Potosi.  This find produced enough wealth to underwrite the Spanish economy for over two centuries.  Unfortunately, mine workers, which consisted of Africans and enslaved Indians, were forces to work in such harsh conditions that most died within two to three years. 

By 1824, the battle of Ayacucho raged on, led by Antonio Jose de Sucre whereby the independence from the profligate Spanish administration was achieved.  Just one year later, Bolivia declared a republic.  The land in Bolivia is so incredibly beautiful and rich with resources that it has long been coveted by other countries. 

For example, Chile, who wanted more land, was first to enjoy some of the benefits from the War of the Pacific, fought from 1879 to 1884.  Triumphing, Chile staked claim to 527 miles of coastline, which meant Bolivia lost some of Antofagasta leaving them with mostly land.  After this accomplishment, others joined in to include Argentina, Brazil, and Peru, all taking bits and pieces of the beloved Bolivia borders.  In fact, a huge border dispute took place in 1932 pertaining to Paraguay and oil deposits found in the Chaco region.  However, Paraguay won, again leaving Bolivia without. 

Bolivia has gone on through the years, fighting to repair damage and build connections with other countries and for this reason, is today seen as a very different country.  The culture of La Paz Bolivia is quite diverse.  Probably the musical traditional are the most distinct where you will often hear music playing throughout cities and hillsides.  Dance is also popular, holding a very reverent place in this culture.  The three most popular types of dance are called Auqui-Auqui, Cueca, and Tinku. 

Another form of folk expression commonly seen in Bolivia is spinning and weaving.  One of the fascinating aspects of this is that you can see differences in style and design between the various regions.  However, the style and design for each region has changed very little over the past 3,000 years.  The language in Bolivia is Spanish but interestingly, of the people living in Bolivia, only about 60% speak it and even then, it is usually just as a second language taking second to Aymara, which is a pre-Inca language or Quechua, Inca language. 

When visiting Bolivia, you will find that meat is commonly served with side dishes of potatoes, rice, and shredded lettuce.  To add spice to a meal, a hot sauce called Llajhua is used.  Then to wash down the meal, you would like be offered some type of Bolivian beer, wine, or a drink called Chicha, which is potent maize liquor.  

Bolivia is a fascinating place that has become more popular over the past several decades.  The scenery is magical, making this a great place for those who enjoy outdoor life.  While there are many places to visit while in Bolivia, some of the more intriguing include the Witches Market where you can buy all types of secret potions, Lake Titicaca, which features 36 islands and the most amazing, sapphire water in the world, and Laguna Colorado, which is a little off the beaten path but offers a fiery red lake surrounded by an amazing landscape.