Bolivia appeared on the map of South America on August 6, 1825, and was named after Simon Bolivar, a faithful patriot and fighter for the independence of the South American colonies. A multinational state with a diverse landscape is of interest to scientists from various fields of science, and tourists rush here to see the main attractions of Bolivia and visit interesting natural places.
As you can see on the map, the country is located in the central part of South America, and does not have access to the ocean.
1
Square May 25
Judging by historical sources, the capital of Bolivia, the city of Sucre, was founded in 1538, and its main attraction is a large area in the historical part of the city - Plaza 25 de Mayo.
In the very center of the square there is a monument to Jose Antonio Sucre, the closest ally of Bolivar and the second president of independent Bolivia. The area is surrounded by administrative buildings, the city hall, the Freedom House.
Under spreading palm trees located cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. This place is always crowded, and local boys earn by cleaning shoes for passers-by.
2
Tiwanaku
The unique archaeological complex on the shores of Lake Titicaca began to be explored at the end of the 19th century. Archaeologists have proved that the heyday of the city fell on the III-X centuries, and in the Middle Ages it was settled by the descendants of the Ainar Indians.
The city settlement had powerful fortifications in the form of ditches and massive walls, and in the city itself there were religious buildings, artisan quarters, and also a water supply system was functioning.
It was here that Tiwanaku culture was born, especially revered by the Incas, and all religious buildings had the correct geometric shape.
3
Gates of the sun
On the territory of Tiwanaku is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, included in historical science under the name "Gate of the Sun."
The monumental structure 3 m high and 4 m wide was erected from solid stones, on which relief images were later painted.
Scientists managed to decipher the records, which turned out to be a unique Native American calendar, consisting of 290 days. Archaeologists have also established that the gates were originally covered with sheets of gold.
4
Akapan Pyramid
One of the main attractions of the South American country, which in 2000 was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The Akapan pyramid was built from solid processed stones on top of a high plateau. Historians and archaeologists cannot yet reveal secrets of how the ancient builders managed to build such a powerful structure, because the weight of some blocks exceeds 200 tons.
In order to preserve the unique monument, the authorities decided to carry out restoration work, supplementing the missing fragments of the pyramid with burnt brick.
5
Dinosaur wall
In 1994, near Sucre, cement workers discovered a wall with traces of dinosaurs during the development of limestone.
Later, paleontologists calculated that on the wall are the remains of more than 6 thousand dinosaurs. This place is called Kal Orko, and its visit takes tourists millions of years ago, at a time when the majestic dinosaurs were sovereign masters of the planet.
Unique traces were preserved due to the fact that huge clouds of volcanic dust covered the limestone wall, leaving the descendants with unique impressions of a past life.
6
Incagliahta
Another Inca city, whose name is translated from the Quechua language as “Incan revenge”, is located high in the Andes, and was at one time a major commercial and cultural center.
The unique archaeological site is located at an altitude of almost 3 thousand meters above sea level, and it was founded during the reign of Tupac Inca Yupanka around the 70s of the XV century.
Within the city there were many temple complexes, and the largest is the Assembly House. In addition, in the western part there is a hexagonal gear plate, which served the inhabitants as a calendar and a tool for astronomical calculations.
7
Lake Titicaca
It is known that the Amazon River flows through the territory of Bolivia, but here is also located the largest alpine and navigable lake Titicaca, located at an altitude of 3,810 m.
Translated from the Indian language, the name of the lake is translated as “stone cougar”, because in its form it really resembles these graceful animals. In addition, water contains a large amount of salt, and an area of 8,287 km2 will amaze even experienced tourists.
There are many islands on the surface of Titicaca, and Ainara and Quechua Indian tribes live around the lake.
8
Cristo de la Concordia
Near the city of Cochabamba there is a high hill, and at the very top of the hill there is a statue of Jesus Christ.
The pedestal under the figure has a height of 6.2 m, and the statue itself rises 34.2 m above the pedestal. The unique monument was designed by the Terrasas Pardu brothers, but the prototype was the monument of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
The monument itself was finally erected in 1994, and this statue weighing 2,200 tons at that time was the tallest statue of Jesus Christ in the world.
9
Lagoon colorado
In the Eduardo Avaroa National Park, which is located in the south-west of the country, there is a unique lake with brown-red water.
Such an unusual color of water in the lake is caused by sedimentary mineral rocks, and some algae growing in the water also add color.
In 2007, the lake could be included in the list of wonders of the world, but it did not gain the right amount of votes. On the shores of a wonderful lake you can find graceful flamingos, and on the surface there are small islands formed by the mineral of borax.
And about other no less beautiful lakes in the world, read on our website by clicking on the link.
10
Ethnographic Museum of Miners
In the city of Oruro is a unique ethnographic museum of miners, which was equipped in one of the mine workings, not far from the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Socavono.
An excursion to the bowels of the mine lasts 40 minutes, during which tourists can get acquainted with the working conditions of the miners, and the guide will tell about the life of these mountain daredevils.
In such mine workings, mainly Indians worked, which saved them from complete extermination. The fact is that no one dared to replace the Indians in the mines, and therefore the mine owners cherished them like the apple of an eye.
11
Moon valley
At 11 km from the town of La Paz there is an amazing valley, the landscape of which really resembles the surface of a satellite of the Earth.
The intricate and bizarre labyrinth of rocky cliffs, canyons, craters and depressions was formed many centuries ago under the influence of natural phenomena. The whole territory of the valley is fenced, and safe tourist routes are laid along it.
Some stones resemble animals in their outlines, and the “turtle” is the most popular rock for photographing.
12
Salar de Uyuni
The Uyuni solonchak is known to the whole world as the largest in the world, and a dried-up salt lake is located in the south of the Altiplano mountain plateau.
The thickness of salt, which covers the entire area of a unique natural object, reaches from 2 to 8 m. When the rainy season begins in this part of the planet, the lake is covered by water, and the surface of the mountain salt marshes looks like a huge mirror reflecting clouds and stars. That is why the salt marsh is included in many ratings of the most beautiful places on Earth, including a list from most-beauty.ru.
In addition to salt, geologists discovered other useful minerals, such as lithium and magnesium, and the salt desert in Bolivia delights many tourists with its unearthly landscape.
13
Noel Kempff Mercado National Park
A true pride and unique place of the entire basin of the majestic Amazon, Noel-Kempff-Mercado Park is located in the north-east of the country.
This is one of the largest in the world, because the park covers an area of almost 1.5 million hectares. On such a huge area there are several ecological systems, from impenetrable shrouds to the evergreen forests of the Amazon.
The fauna of the amazing park is also diverse, and in the waters of the river you can still find an exotic fish - the Bolivian butterfly.
14
Mint
In the city of Potosi, which during the colonial expansion of Europeans was the main city of the South American continent, there is a unique museum “Mint”.
The museum displays rare exhibits, from Native American mummies to coins minted from gold. The museum opened its doors for visitors in 1773, and now it occupies a whole block in the center of a cozy town.
The most mysterious exhibit is the Maskaron mask, which appeared in the courtyard in 1885. Locals believe that the mysterious picture is one of the images of the deity, although there is, most likely, a rational explanation for this.
15
Locomotive Cemetery
The economy of Bolivia in the XIX-early XX centuries developed thanks to the extraction of valuable minerals, and for their transportation began to actively build railways.
The town of Uyuni in the southwest has become an important nodal station. The Indians opposed the construction of railways. The authorities, with the help of the Armed Forces of Bolivia, were able to agree with the Indians, but the depletion of minerals caused more damage to the railway connection.
Roads were no longer needed, and a cemetery of steam locomotives appeared 3 km from Uyuni, which has been rusting for almost a century under the scorching sun of Bolivia.
16
Road of death
In history, there are several versions of the appearance of this road connecting the towns of La Paz and Koroyko. According to one hypothesis, Paraguayan prisoners erected it in the 30s of the 20th century, according to another version - in the 70s, one of the US construction companies worked here.
The road of death in Bolivia runs high in the mountains and descends from an altitude of 3,600 m to 330 m above sea level. Only 70 km of a very narrow mountain road, on which it is very difficult to drive two cars.
According to statistics, up to 25 accidents occur on the most dangerous road in the world, in which from 100 to 200 people die.
To summarize
So we found out where Bolivia is located on the world map, and also presented photos and descriptions of the most beautiful places and attractions of this Latin American country. We hope that we have satisfied the curiosity of our readers, and now, going to Bolivia, you know what to see in a country with such a beautiful and proud name.
Article author: Valery Skiba