Bolivia

Constitutionally, Bolivia is a centralist republic. The constitution of 3 February 1967 (amended in 1994) provides for a representative democracy, with its government divided into an executive branch, a bicameral legislature (a Congress consisting of a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate), and the judiciary.

Bolivia has had a spotty constitutional history. The current constitution is the result of a series of actions begun by the military junta that took control in November 1964. The junta replaced the 1961 constitution with the 1945 constitution, as amended in 1947.

Bolivian society is a very mixed one, which has a lot of interesting aspects to offer to a visiting tourist. The Bolivian people are a mixture of descendants of the Spanish colonizers, indigenous Bolivians ,and ‘mestizos’ (a mix of the two) as well as other small minorities of immigrants and descendants of African slaves from the colonial period. This great diversity means there are varying Bolivian customs and traditions, depending on which part of the country you are in and the social class you are surrounded by. Bolivia has a relatively young society, with around 60% of its population under the age of 25, and the culture of the country is definitely changing with its young population. One significant change is urban migration from the rural areas. However, a very important part of Bolivian society is the acknowledgment of the native people, their traditions, and languages, some of which still exist today.

Bolivia is quite a formal country, and old-fashioned values of politeness and courtesy are still widespread. It’s normal to greet everyone you talk to with a formal “good morning/afternoon/evening” (“buenos dias, buenas tardes/noches”) before starting conversation; indeed, failure to do so can be taken as rude. In smaller towns and villages, you’ll find even strangers exchange greetings as they pass on the street. “Please” (“por favor”) and “thank you” (“gracias”) are also very important.

Bolivia is a multiethnic society with a remarkable diversity of linguistic, cultural and artistic traditions. In fact, the country has the largest population of indigenous peoples in South America, with most sociologists and anthropologists saying that over 60% of the population is of indigenous descent. Within these diverse indigenous communities a strong sense of cultural identity remains, evident in the use of traditional clothing and textiles, food and drink, festivals, spiritual beliefs, music and dance.

LAKE TITICACA

Lapping the shores of Copacabana, Lake Titicaca is not only one of Bolivia’s most beautiful and treasured landmarks, but is also the highest navigable lake in the world. Travelers flock to the resort town to soak in stunning views of Lake Titicaca, savor freshly caught trucha and explore what the Inca’s believed to be the birthplace of their empire. One of the best ways to grasp the sheer magnitude of Lake Titicaca is to take a boat trip from Copacabana to Isla del Sol. Here you will discover ancient Inca ruins scattered throughout the island as well as Aymara villagers busy farming the land and tending to the sacred sites. Walking from one side of the island to the other is a cathartic experience and one which will enable travelers to witness some of Bolivia’s most breathtaking scenery.