Bolivia Essay

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Bolivia

Bolivia is a country near the center of South America. It lacks a seacoast and has great natural barriers to transportation. In western Bolivia, the majestic, snow-capped Andes Mountains surround a high, dry plateau. A vast lowland plain spreads over the north and east. Tropical rain forests thrive in the northern part of the plain, and grasslands and swamps sprawl across much of the east. Largely hilly country lies between the Andes Mountains and the lowland plain. Most Bolivians are of Indian or of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry. About half the country's workers farm for a living. Most Bolivians are desperately poor, and many adults cannot read or write. Bolivia has two capitals. Sucre, where the Supreme Court meets, is the official capital. However, most government officers are in La Paz, the actual …show more content…

However, frequent wars, revolutions, and a series of unstable governments have hampered the country's economic growth. As a result, Bolivia remains a developing country with one of the lowest standards of living in the Western Hemisphere. American Indians were the first people to live in what is now Bolivia. During the 1500's, Spain conquered the Indians. The Spanish ruled the region until 1825, when Bolivia won it's independence. The new country was named after Simon Bolivar. Bolivar, a Venezuelan general, helped Bolivia and several other countries win their freedom from Spain. Bolivia has had 16 constitutions since it became independent in 1825. Most of the constitutions called for a freely elected government. However, dictators have often ruled the country. Bolivia's present Constitution dates from 1967. Under it, the people elect a president and the members of the national legislature, called Congress, to four-year terms. The president may not be elected in two terms in a row. The Supreme Court is Bolivia's highest court. Congress appoints the court's

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