7,767,000 (1997).

7.1 per sq km.

Administrative: La Paz, Legal: Sucre.

784,976 (1993)., : 144,327 (1993).

Bolivia is a landlocked country bordered by Peru to the northwest, Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, and Chile to the west. There are three main areas: the first is a high plateau known as the 'Altiplano', a largely barren region lying approximately 4000m (13,000ft) above sea level. It comprises 10% of the country's area and contains 70% of the population, nearly one-third of whom are urban dwellers. The second area is a fertile valley situated 1800m (5900ft) to 2700m (8850ft) above sea level. The third area comprises the lowland tropics which stretch down to the frontiers with Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, taking up some 70% of the land area. Rainfall in this region is high, and the climate is hot.

Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1825. Head of State and Government: President Banzer Suárez since 1997.

The official languages are Spanish, Quechua and Aymará. English is also spoken by a small number of officials and businessmen in commercial centres.

Roman Catholic with a Protestant minority.

GMT - 4.

110/220 volts AC in La Paz, 220 volts AC, 50Hz in the rest of the country. Most houses and hotels have 2-pin sockets for both electrical currents. Variations from this occur in some places.