Bolivia

The history of bolivia has been one of resource extraction by outside powers, revolution, and countercoups. As a result of persistent instability and exploitation, the nation is one of the poorest and least developed in Latin America. Some 64 percent of the 8,857,870 live in poverty. Life expectancy (65.5 years) is low and the fertility rate is high (2.94 children per woman). With a per capita income of $2,700, Bolivia is ranked 164th of 232 nations in world incomes. The United Nations Development Project (UNDP) Human Development Reports rank Bolivia 113th of 232 countries on general quality-of-life issues. Although Bolivia is rich in natural resources, including tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, and hydropower, the benefits of resource development have predominantly flowed to a handful of corporations and important ruling families. Prices have been volatile for many resources, making sustained investment difficult. The controversial move to nationalize valuable natural gas fields is welcomed by most Bolivians as a effort to keep a higher share of profits in-country, though it is seen by foreign investors and free-trade advocates [Page 150]as serious error. Consequently, foreign aid is essential to Bolivia's economic survival.

Over 60 percent of the population lives in urban areas. Elsewhere, desperation often propels farmers into the business of illicit drugs. Currently, Bolivia is the third largest cultivator of coca in the world, and the number of hectares under cultivation increases regularly. Farming and raising livestock are often left to women and small children, who manage farms while males migrate to cities to seek employment. Overburdened and overworked, environmental protection is not a high priority for Bolivian farm women. Since the land is used yearround in order to survive, massive soil degradation occurs. Consequently, more land is needed to grow the same amount of crops. This practice, in turn, contributes to perpetual land shortage. Livestock, particularly goats that browse on trees and shrubs, also cause considerable environmental damage, stripping the land of essential vegetation.

Although landlocked, Bolivia has 8,817 square kilometers (14,190 square miles) of inland water, including Lake Titicaca. Located along the borders of Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake (6,122 kilometers [3,805 miles]). It is also the largest lake in South America (9,064 square kilometers [5,632 square miles]). Elevations in Bolivia vary from 145 kilometers (90 miles) at Rio Paraguay to 10,526 kilometers (6,542 miles) at Nevado Sajama. The climate varies according to altitude, ranging from humid and topical in the lowlands to cold and semiarid in the highlands. The terrain is also varied. The Andes Mountains are rugged with a highland plateau that gives way to hills. The Amazon Basin is made up of lowland plains. During March and April, northeastern Bolivia is prone to flooding. Droughts are also a threat. In 1983, for instance, a drought began that lasted into the 1990s, forcing many Bolivians from their homes.