🇧🇴 Bolivia Quiz: How Well Do You Know the Heart of South America?

The Altiplano (high plain) is the large plateau region of the central Andes where cities like La Paz and Potosí sit and where much of Bolivia’s highland culture developed.

Salteñas are baked savory pastries (empanada-style) filled with meat (commonly chicken or beef), vegetables, and a slightly sweet, juicy, spiced sauce.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra is Bolivia’s most populous city and its economic hub, outstripping La Paz and Sucre in population and commercial activity.

The Kantuta (also spelled Cantuta in some sources) is recognized as a national flower and has historic significance in Andean culture.

Northern and eastern Bolivia lie within the Amazon Basin, home to extensive tropical rainforest, rich biodiversity, and many indigenous communities.

A landlocked country lacks a coastline and direct access to the ocean. Bolivia lost its Pacific coast during the War of the Pacific (late 19th century) and has been landlocked since.

Bolivia is historically famous for silver, especially from the colonial-era mines of Potosí, which were among the richest in the world and central to Bolivia’s historic economy.

Bolivia’s tricolor flag features red (bravery and the blood of heroes), yellow (natural resources and wealth), and green (fertility and hope).

Lake Titicaca, on the Bolivia–Peru border, is one of the highest navigable lakes in the world and an important cultural and historical site for Andean civilizations.

The Carnival of Oruro is a major Bolivian cultural festival that mixes indigenous ritual and Catholic elements; it’s recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.

La Paz is located at roughly 3,650 meters (about 11,975 feet) above sea level, which accounts for its cool climate and altitude effects on visitors.

Bolivia uniquely has two capitals. Sucre is the constitutional capital and the seat of the judiciary, while La Paz is the administrative seat where the government and executive functions operate.

Caporales is a popular folkloric dance known for energetic rhythms, distinctive costumes, and bell-wearing dancers. It blends indigenous and Afro-Andean cultural influences.

The Andean condor appears on Bolivia’s coat of arms as a symbol of freedom, strength, and the high Andes region.

Soybeans (and soybean derivatives) are among Bolivia’s top agricultural exports. The country also exports natural gas, minerals, and other agricultural products; export prominence can vary by year and market demand.

Bolivia is a unitary state with a presidential system: the president is both head of state and government and holds executive power within a centralized administration.

The Boliviano (ISO code BOB) is Bolivia’s official currency. It replaced previous currencies after reforms in the late 20th century and remains the country’s legal tender.

La Paz sits high in the Andes (roughly 3,600–3,700 meters above sea level) and serves as Bolivia’s administrative capital where the government operates, making it the highest seat of government in the world.

Che Guevara was active in guerrilla operations in Bolivia, where he was captured and executed by Bolivian forces in 1967, ending his campaign there.

Salar de Uyuni is an enormous salt flat in southwest Bolivia, a major tourist attraction and an important natural deposit (including lithium-bearing brine).

Lake Poopó, once Bolivia’s second-largest lake, has suffered severe shrinkage and near collapse due to climatic changes, evaporation, and upstream water diversion for agriculture and mining.

The majority of Bolivians identify as Roman Catholic, often blended with indigenous spiritual practices and traditions.

The country was named Bolivia to honor Simón Bolívar, the leader of independence movements across northern and western South America.

The Andes Mountains run through western Bolivia, creating high plateaus (Altiplano) and dramatic altitude differences across the country.

Spanish is the dominant language of government, education, and media. Bolivia also recognizes many indigenous languages (for example, Quechua and Aymara), reflecting its multilingual population.