Geography of Bolivia
The geography of Bolivia includes the
Overview
The most prominent feature of the Altiplano is the large lake at its northern end, Lake Titicaca. At 3,811 m (12,503 ft) above sea level. With a surface area of 9,064 km2 (3,500 sq mi), it is larger than Puerto Rico and is South America's second-largest lake by surface area. Lake Titicaca is also deep, about 370 m (1,214 ft) at its deepest, with an average depth of 215 m (705 ft); its volume of water is large enough to maintain a constant temperature of 10 °C (50 °F). The lake actually moderates the climate for a considerable distance around it, making crops of maize and wheat possible in sheltered areas.
In western Bolivia, the
The Altiplano, the high plateau between the previous range, and the Cordillera Oriental, comprises four major basins formed by mountainous spurs that jut eastward from the Cordillera Occidental about halfway to the Cordillera Oriental. Along the Altiplano's eastern side is a continuous flat area, which has served as Bolivia's principal north–south transport corridor since colonial times. The entire Altiplano was originally a deep rift between the cordilleras that gradually filled with highly porous sedimentary debris washed down from the peaks. This sedimentary origin explains its gradual slope from north to south; greater rainfall in the north has washed a larger quantity of debris onto the platform floor.
Rainfall in the Altiplano decreases towards the south, and the scrub vegetation grows more sparse, eventually giving way to barren rocks and dry red clay. The land contains several salt flats, the dried remnants of ancient lakes. The largest of these – and the world's largest salt concentration – is the Uyuni Saltpan, which covers over 9,000 square kilometers. The salt is more than five meters deep in the center of this flat. In the dry season, the lake bed can be traversed by heavy trucks. Near the Argentine border, the floor of the Altiplano rises again, creating hills and volcanoes that span the gap between the eastern and western cordilleras of the Andes.
The much older Cordillera Oriental enters Bolivia on the north side of Lake Titicaca, extends southeastward to approximately 17 south latitude, then broadens and stretches south to the Argentine border. The northernmost part of the Cordillera Oriental, the
- The first is the Amazon Basin, also called the North Basin (724,000 km2 (280,000 sq mi)/66% of the territory). The rivers of this basin generally have big meanders which form lakes such as Murillo Lake in Pando Department. The main Bolivian tributary to the Amazon basin is the Mamoré River, with a length of 2,000 km (1,200 mi) running north to the confluence with the Beni River, 1,113 km (692 mi) in length and the second most important river of the country. The Beni River, along with the Madeira River, forms the main tributary of the Amazon River. From east to west, the basin is formed by other important rivers, such as the Madre de Dios River, the Orthon River, the Abuna River, the Yata River, and the Guaporé River. The most important lakes are Rogaguado Lake, Rogagua Lake, and Jara Lake.
- The second is the Río de la Plata Basin, also called the South Basin (229,500 km2 (88,600 sq mi)/21% of the territory). The tributaries in this basin are in general less abundant than the ones forming the Amazon Basin. The Rio de la Plata Basin is mainly formed by the Paraguay River, Pilcomayo River, and Bermejo River. The most important lakes are Uberaba Lake and Mandioré Lake, both located in the Bolivian marshland.
- The third basin is the Central Basin, which is an Poopó Lake. The basin is then formed by Lake Titicaca, Lake Poopó, the Desaguadero River, and great salt flats, including the Salar de Uyuni and Coipasa Lake.
Valleys
The northeastern flank of the
The eastern slopes of the
Lowlands
The eastern lowlands include all of Bolivia north and east of the Andes. Although comprising over two-thirds of the national territory, the region is sparsely populated and, until recently, has played a minor role in the economy.
Differences in topography and climate separate the lowlands into three areas. The flat northern area, made up of Beni and Pando Departments and the northern part of Cochabamba Department, consists of rainforest. Because much of the topsoil is underlain by claypan, drainage is poor, and heavy rainfall periodically converts vast parts of the region to swamp. The central area, comprising the northern half of Santa Cruz Department, has gently rolling hills and a drier climate than the north. Forests alternate with savanna, and much of the land has been cleared for cultivation. Santa Cruz, the largest city in the lowlands, is located here, as are most of Bolivia's petroleum and natural gas reserves. The southeastern part of the lowlands is part of the Gran Chaco. Virtually rainless for nine months of the year, this area becomes flooded for the three months of heavy rains. The extreme variation in rainfall supports only thorny scrub vegetation and cattle grazing, although recent discoveries of natural gas and petroleum near the foothills of the Andes have attracted some settlers to the region.
Most of Bolivia's important rivers are found in the water-rich northern parts of the lowlands, particularly in the Alto Beni (Upper Beni), where the land is suitable for crops such as coffee and cacao. The northern lowlands are drained by wide, slow-moving rivers, the three largest of which—the Mamoré, Beni, and Madre de Dios—all flow northward into the Madeira River in Brazil and eventually into the River Amazon. Riverboats along the Beni and the Mamoré carry both passenger and freight traffic; rapids on the Madeira prevent river traffic farther into Brazil. Near the Paraguayan border, shallow sandy streams carry the seasonal runoff into the Pilcomayo or Paraguay rivers. Also, the Pantanal, the world's largest wetland of any kind, has some of its area in Bolivia.
Despite the fact that eastern Bolivia is described as lowland there are some mountains and mountain ranges well beyond the Andes. The most notable of these mountains are the forested Serranías Chiquitanas in eastern Santa Cruz Department.
Climate
Bolivia has several geographical areas and climates, and the three predominant ones are Andean (28% of the territory), sub-Andean (13%), and plains (59%). takes place, it provokes great alterations in the weather. Winters are very cold in the west, and it snows around the mountain ranges, while in the western regions, windy days are more usual. The autumn is dry in the non-tropical regions.
- Llanos. A Southwestern Amazonian moist forestsreceiving up to 3,000mm per year.
- Chiquitanía. A humid tropical climate with an average temperature of 30 °C (86 °F). The wind coming from the Amazon rainforest causes considerable rainfall, with a short but noticeable dry season typically starting in May. "Surazos" can bring cooler temperatures lasting several days. Precipitation in these areas ranges from 750mm to 1,500mm per year, with remote areas in central eastern Santa Cruz receiving up to 2,000mm per year.
- Selva. A humid tropical climate with an average temperature of 30 °C (86 °F). The Southwestern Bands of the Amazon rainforest for the central and northwestern areas of Bolivia, where temperatures are hot for a majority of the year, with slightly milder winters. Precipitation in these areas ranges from 2,000mm to 4,000mm per year, with some areas around Tunari receiving up to 7,000mm per year.
- Humid Subtropical highland climate-Polar climates, with strong and cold winds. The average temperature ranges from 15 to 20 °C (59–68 °F). At night, temperatures descend drastically to slightly above 0 °C (32 °F), while during the day, the weather is dry and solar radiation is high. Ground frostsoccur every month, and snow is frequent. Precipitation in these areas ranges between 450mm to 1,300mm per year, with local areas in Lake Titicaca receiving up to 2,000mm per year.
- Dry Altiplano. Desert-Polar climates, with strong and cold winds. The average temperature ranges from 15 to 20 °C (59–68 °F). At night, temperatures descend drastically to slightly above 0 °C (32 °F), while during the day, the weather is dry and solar radiation is high. Ground frosts occur every month, and snow is frequent. Precipitation in these areas ranges from 50mm to 400mm per year.
- Temperate Valleys and Temperateclimate. The humid northeastern winds are pushed to the mountains, making this region very humid and rainy. Temperatures are cooler at higher elevations. Snow occurs at altitudes of 2,000 meters. Precipitation in these areas ranges from 600mm to 2,000mm per year.
- Xeric Valleys. Semiarid climate. The wind shadows created by the steep Bolivian central highlands make these regions dry for much of the year, with bursts of precipitation in summer thunderstorms. Temperatures are cooler at higher elevations. Precipitation in these areas ranges from 350mm to 600mm per year.
- Chaco. Subtropical Semi-arid climate. Rain and humidity in January and the rest of the year, with warm days and cool nights. Precipitation in these areas ranges from 450mm to 1,500mm per year.
Examples
Bioclimatic landscapes of Bolivia | |||||||
La Paz
|
Cold desert Dalí Desert, Potosí |
Dry broadleaf forest Chaqueño Forest, Santa Cruz |
Temperate valley Samaipata, Santa Cruz | ||||
Rainforest Amazon rainforest, Cochabamba |
La Paz
|
Dry Altiplano Isla del Pescado, Potosí |
La Paz
|
Climate data for El Alto, near La Paz (Elevation 4,058 m) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 25.4 (77.7) |
22.8 (73.0) |
25.1 (77.2) |
22.9 (73.2) |
24.0 (75.2) |
20.0 (68.0) |
23.0 (73.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
23.0 (73.4) |
23.0 (73.4) |
24.2 (75.6) |
22.0 (71.6) |
25.4 (77.7) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 14.3 (57.7) |
14.3 (57.7) |
14.2 (57.6) |
14.4 (57.9) |
14.4 (57.9) |
14.0 (57.2) |
13.5 (56.3) |
13.7 (56.7) |
15.3 (59.5) |
15.3 (59.5) |
17.0 (62.6) |
15.7 (60.3) |
15.0 (59.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 9.3 (48.7) |
9.0 (48.2) |
8.9 (48.0) |
8.8 (47.8) |
8.2 (46.8) |
7.3 (45.1) |
6.8 (44.2) |
8.2 (46.8) |
8.7 (47.7) |
10.0 (50.0) |
10.5 (50.9) |
9.7 (49.5) |
8.8 (47.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 4.4 (39.9) |
4.4 (39.9) |
3.6 (38.5) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−3 (27) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
1.5 (34.7) |
2.1 (35.8) |
3.6 (38.5) |
0.5 (32.9) |
Record low °C (°F) | −3.3 (26.1) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
−4.7 (23.5) |
−10.3 (13.5) |
−12.4 (9.7) |
−11.9 (10.6) |
−10 (14) |
−10 (14) |
−5.4 (22.3) |
−5 (23) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−12.4 (9.7) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 133.7 (5.26) |
104.7 (4.12) |
71.7 (2.82) |
31.7 (1.25) |
14.3 (0.56) |
5.1 (0.20) |
7.1 (0.28) |
15.2 (0.60) |
35.5 (1.40) |
38.1 (1.50) |
50.5 (1.99) |
94.9 (3.74) |
602.5 (23.72) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 20.7 | 15.8 | 14.2 | 9.8 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 5.1 | 8.2 | 10.4 | 11.5 | 15.5 | 120.3 |
Average snowy days | 0.07 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.03 | 0.0 | 0.03 | 0.13 | 0.67 | 0.37 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.03 | 1.67 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
66 | 72 | 67 | 59 | 48 | 42 | 43 | 42 | 48 | 49 | 51 | 60 | 54 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 179.8 | 155.4 | 148.8 | 165.0 | 229.4 | 240.0 | 235.6 | 226.3 | 192.0 | 179.8 | 171.0 | 180.0 | 2,303.1 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 5.8 | 5.5 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.3 |
Source 1: Deutscher Wetterdienst,[7] Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología de Bolivia (snowy days 1981–2010)[8] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Meteo Climat (extremes 1942–present)[9] |
Climate data for Santa Cruz de la Sierra | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 38.1 (100.6) |
37.8 (100.0) |
39.3 (102.7) |
38.0 (100.4) |
34.0 (93.2) |
32.2 (90.0) |
32.0 (89.6) |
35.0 (95.0) |
36.4 (97.5) |
38.4 (101.1) |
40.3 (104.5) |
38.4 (101.1) |
40.3 (104.5) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30.2 (86.4) |
30.5 (86.9) |
29.5 (85.1) |
27.7 (81.9) |
24.9 (76.8) |
23.1 (73.6) |
23.9 (75.0) |
27.7 (81.9) |
29.4 (84.9) |
29.8 (85.6) |
30.7 (87.3) |
31.4 (88.5) |
28.2 (82.8) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.8 (80.2) |
26.6 (79.9) |
26.2 (79.2) |
24.7 (76.5) |
22.8 (73.0) |
20.4 (68.7) |
21.1 (70.0) |
23.0 (73.4) |
25.2 (77.4) |
26.4 (79.5) |
27.1 (80.8) |
27.0 (80.6) |
24.8 (76.6) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21.3 (70.3) |
21.3 (70.3) |
20.5 (68.9) |
18.9 (66.0) |
16.5 (61.7) |
15.4 (59.7) |
14.8 (58.6) |
16.3 (61.3) |
18.7 (65.7) |
19.8 (67.6) |
20.3 (68.5) |
20.9 (69.6) |
18.7 (65.7) |
Record low °C (°F) | 11.6 (52.9) |
6.5 (43.7) |
5.0 (41.0) |
9.9 (49.8) |
4.0 (39.2) |
1.0 (33.8) |
0.0 (32.0) |
2.5 (36.5) |
5.6 (42.1) |
11.9 (53.4) |
7.8 (46.0) |
14.0 (57.2) |
0.0 (32.0) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 227.3 (8.95) |
206.8 (8.14) |
188.4 (7.42) |
89.8 (3.54) |
28.4 (1.12) |
41.7 (1.64) |
40 (1.6) |
72.8 (2.87) |
104.2 (4.10) |
152.8 (6.02) |
131.6 (5.18) |
156.4 (6.16) |
1,441 (56.7) |
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 14.0 | 11.1 | 12.7 | 9.4 | 11.4 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 5.6 | 7.4 | 9.4 | 11.9 | 111.6 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
79 | 79 | 79 | 78 | 79 | 78 | 73 | 65 | 64 | 67 | 72 | 77 | 74 |
Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst[10] |
Climate data for Sucre | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 34.0 (93.2) |
33.5 (92.3) |
33.0 (91.4) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.1 (89.8) |
32.0 (89.6) |
29.7 (85.5) |
28.0 (82.4) |
31.0 (87.8) |
33.2 (91.8) |
34.9 (94.8) |
34.2 (93.6) |
34.9 (94.8) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 19.5 (67.1) |
19.0 (66.2) |
19.4 (66.9) |
19.3 (66.7) |
19.6 (67.3) |
19.1 (66.4) |
19.4 (66.9) |
19.9 (67.8) |
20.6 (69.1) |
20.8 (69.4) |
21.2 (70.2) |
20.0 (68.0) |
19.8 (67.6) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 16.2 (61.2) |
15.7 (60.3) |
15.8 (60.4) |
15.5 (59.9) |
14.9 (58.8) |
13.8 (56.8) |
13.9 (57.0) |
14.9 (58.8) |
16.2 (61.2) |
16.9 (62.4) |
17.3 (63.1) |
16.7 (62.1) |
15.6 (60.1) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.8 (55.0) |
12.3 (54.1) |
12.2 (54.0) |
11.6 (52.9) |
10.2 (50.4) |
8.5 (47.3) |
8.3 (46.9) |
9.9 (49.8) |
11.2 (52.2) |
12.4 (54.3) |
12.8 (55.0) |
12.9 (55.2) |
11.3 (52.3) |
Record low °C (°F) | 4.4 (39.9) |
5.0 (41.0) |
3.3 (37.9) |
1.7 (35.1) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 150 (5.9) |
126 (5.0) |
108 (4.3) |
46 (1.8) |
10 (0.4) |
4 (0.2) |
2 (0.1) |
14 (0.6) |
23 (0.9) |
56 (2.2) |
72 (2.8) |
124 (4.9) |
735 (28.9) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 15 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 82 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
67 | 70 | 68 | 62 | 46 | 43 | 39 | 44 | 46 | 47 | 52 | 60 | 54 |
Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst[11] |
Climate data for Potosí (2000–2012) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 15 (59) |
15 (59) |
16 (61) |
17 (63) |
15 (59) |
14 (57) |
14 (57) |
15 (59) |
16 (61) |
18 (64) |
18 (64) |
17 (63) |
15.8 (60.4) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 9 (48) |
9 (48) |
9 (48) |
8.5 (47.3) |
6.5 (43.7) |
5.5 (41.9) |
5 (41) |
6 (43) |
6.5 (43.7) |
9.5 (49.1) |
10 (50) |
10 (50) |
7.9 (46.2) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 3 (37) |
3 (37) |
2 (36) |
0 (32) |
−2 (28) |
−3 (27) |
−4 (25) |
−3 (27) |
−1 (30) |
1 (34) |
2 (36) |
3 (37) |
0.1 (32.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 107.9 (4.25) |
97.9 (3.85) |
60.0 (2.36) |
18.3 (0.72) |
3.2 (0.13) |
0.7 (0.03) |
3.4 (0.13) |
3.8 (0.15) |
8.9 (0.35) |
28.6 (1.13) |
32.2 (1.27) |
65.8 (2.59) |
430.7 (16.96) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 17 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 14 | 80 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7.75 |
Source: WeatherWorld[12] |
Climate data for Cochabamba | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 35.0 (95.0) |
30.0 (86.0) |
30.6 (87.1) |
30.0 (86.0) |
28.9 (84.0) |
30.0 (86.0) |
28.3 (82.9) |
30.6 (87.1) |
30.6 (87.1) |
32.8 (91.0) |
31.7 (89.1) |
32.8 (91.0) |
35.0 (95.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 23.9 (75.0) |
23.3 (73.9) |
24.4 (75.9) |
25.0 (77.0) |
24.4 (75.9) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.9 (75.0) |
25.6 (78.1) |
26.1 (79.0) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.0 (77.0) |
24.5 (76.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 18.1 (64.6) |
17.5 (63.5) |
17.5 (63.5) |
16.4 (61.5) |
14.2 (57.6) |
12.2 (54.0) |
12.5 (54.5) |
13.9 (57.0) |
16.7 (62.1) |
18.1 (64.6) |
18.3 (64.9) |
18.3 (64.9) |
16.1 (61.0) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.2 (54.0) |
11.7 (53.1) |
10.6 (51.1) |
7.8 (46.0) |
3.9 (39.0) |
1.1 (34.0) |
1.7 (35.1) |
3.9 (39.0) |
7.8 (46.0) |
10.0 (50.0) |
11.1 (52.0) |
11.7 (53.1) |
7.8 (46.0) |
Record low °C (°F) | 7.2 (45.0) |
3.3 (37.9) |
2.2 (36.0) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
0.0 (32.0) |
5.0 (41.0) |
5.6 (42.1) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 75.5 (2.97) |
137.4 (5.41) |
39.9 (1.57) |
9.9 (0.39) |
6.56 (0.26) |
2.0 (0.08) |
7.6 (0.30) |
7.2 (0.28) |
2.4 (0.09) |
26.8 (1.06) |
29.1 (1.15) |
81.8 (3.22) |
462.2 (18.20) |
Source: Sistema de Clasificación Bioclimática Mundial[13] |
Climate data for Tarija (Elevation 1,875 metres (6,152 ft), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1962–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 36.5 (97.7) |
37.4 (99.3) |
37.5 (99.5) |
37.3 (99.1) |
36.2 (97.2) |
34.6 (94.3) |
36.0 (96.8) |
37.4 (99.3) |
39.5 (103.1) |
39.7 (103.5) |
37.8 (100.0) |
38.8 (101.8) |
39.7 (103.5) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 27.1 (80.8) |
26.6 (79.9) |
26.6 (79.9) |
25.9 (78.6) |
24.8 (76.6) |
24.4 (75.9) |
23.9 (75.0) |
25.6 (78.1) |
26.1 (79.0) |
27.5 (81.5) |
27.4 (81.3) |
27.5 (81.5) |
26.1 (79.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 20.8 (69.4) |
20.3 (68.5) |
20.2 (68.4) |
18.6 (65.5) |
15.5 (59.9) |
13.6 (56.5) |
13.2 (55.8) |
15.4 (59.7) |
17.0 (62.6) |
19.7 (67.5) |
20.3 (68.5) |
21.0 (69.8) |
18.0 (64.4) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 14.7 (58.5) |
14.1 (57.4) |
13.8 (56.8) |
11.3 (52.3) |
6.3 (43.3) |
2.7 (36.9) |
2.5 (36.5) |
5.2 (41.4) |
7.9 (46.2) |
11.9 (53.4) |
13.3 (55.9) |
14.4 (57.9) |
9.8 (49.6) |
Record low °C (°F) | 6.0 (42.8) |
4.0 (39.2) |
5.0 (41.0) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
−7.7 (18.1) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
−8.0 (17.6) |
−4.2 (24.4) |
0.0 (32.0) |
3.0 (37.4) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 130.2 (5.13) |
100.4 (3.95) |
90.3 (3.56) |
16.1 (0.63) |
1.7 (0.07) |
0.2 (0.01) |
0.3 (0.01) |
1.9 (0.07) |
7.0 (0.28) |
37.1 (1.46) |
73.2 (2.88) |
125.9 (4.96) |
584.3 (23.00) |
Average precipitation days | 14.8 | 12.5 | 11.2 | 4.0 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 6.8 | 10.4 | 12.8 | 77.6 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
67.1 | 68.9 | 68.6 | 65.6 | 58.9 | 53.0 | 51.9 | 50.0 | 50.8 | 54.6 | 59.6 | 64.1 | 59.2 |
Source: Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología de Bolivia[14] |
Statistics
Terrain: rugged
Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydro-power
Land borders: Argentina (942 km), Brazil (3,403 km), Chile (942 km), Paraguay (753 km), Peru (1,212 km)
Land use:
As of 2016, the population of Bolivia was more urban (66%) than rural (34%).[3]
arable land:
3.97%
permanent crops:
0.20%
other:
95.83% (2012)
Irrigated land: 1,282 km2 (2003)
Total renewable water resources: 622.5 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural:
total: 2.64 km3/yr (25%/14%/61%)
per capita: 305.8 m3/yr (2005)
Natural hazards: flooding in the northeast (March–April)
Environment – current issues: the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation
Environment – international agreements:
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Geography – note: landlocked; separated from the Pacific Ocean via Chile. Bolivia shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
Location and extreme points
- Northernmost point – the Madeira River on the border with Brazil, near Ponte sobre o Rio Abunã, Federico Román Province, Pando Department
- Southernmost point – southern tip of the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, Sur Lípez Province, Potosí Department
- Westernmost point – on the border with Peru, José Manuel Pando Province, La Paz Department
- Easternmost point – on the border with Brazil, Germán Busch Province, Santa Cruz Department
- Highest point – Nevado Sajama: 6,542 m
- Lowest point – Rio paraguay: 90 m
Climate policy
Bolivia has also implemented the Bolivian Strategy on Climate Change, which is based on taking action in these four areas:
- Promoting clean development in Bolivia by introducing technological changes in the agriculture, forestry, and industrial sectors, aimed to reduce GHG emissions with a positive impact on development.
- Contributing to carbon management in forests, wetlands and other managed natural ecosystems.
- Increasing effectiveness in energy supply and use to mitigate effects of GHG emissions and risk of contingencies.
- Focus on increased and efficient observations, and understanding of environmental changes in Bolivia to develop effective and timely responses.[16]
Bolivia comprises about 20% of the world's tropical
In February 2017, the government mobilized $200 million to combat drought and global warming.[17]
See also
References
- ^ Radio San Gabriel, "Instituto Radiofonico de Promoción Aymara" (IRPA) 1993, Republicado por Instituto de las Lenguas y Literaturas Andinas-Amazónicas (ILLLA-A) 2011, Transcripción del Vocabulario de la Lengua Aymara, P. Ludovico Bertonio 1612 (Spanish-Aymara-Aymara-Spanish dictionary)
- ^ Teofilo Laime Ajacopa, Diccionario Bilingüe Iskay simipi yuyayk'ancha, La Paz, 2007 (Quechua-Spanish dictionary)
- ^ a b "Health in the Americas: Bolivia", Pan American Health Organization.
- S2CID 214147442.
- ^ Fortalecimiento de las Capacidades locales para enfrentar El Fenómeno del Niño en Perú y Bolivia
- ^ "Deja 56 muertos "El Niño" en Bolivia". Archived from the original on 2009-07-08. Retrieved 2014-01-20.
- ^ "Klimatafel von La Paz – El Alto (Int. Flugh.) / Bolivien" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ "Base de datos Sistema Meteorológico–SISMET" (in Spanish). Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología de Bolivia. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
- ^ "Station La Paz" (in French). Meteo Climat. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
- ^ "SISMET SENAMHI" (in Spanish). SENAMHI. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ "Klimatafel von Sucre, Prov. Chiquisaca / Bolivien" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ^ "Climate Data and Activities". WeatherWorldOnline. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
- ^ "Bolivia – Cochabamba". Sistema de Clasificación Bioclimática Mundial. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
- ^ "Base de datos Sistema Meteorológico–SISMET" (in Spanish). Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología de Bolivia. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- ^ Koester, DH. And There I Was Volume I: A Backpacking Adventure in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, p. 319 (Outskirts Press, 2012).
- ^ "Bolivia". UNDP Climate Change Adaptation. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- ^ a b c "Bolivia's melting glaciers". 2020-08-01.
- This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.
- This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.
- Hudson, Rex A. and Hanratty, Dennis M., ed. Bolivia: A Country Study. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress, 1989.
External links
- Map of Bolivia from 1894