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The
country of Bolivia
Bolivia,
straddling the Andes of South America, is a diverse land of vast
mountains, cold desolate plateaux, and semi-tropical and fertile
lowlands.
In rural areas, families are mostly self-employed and earn their income
from their farms. Their income, which consists of crops, milk and meat
from their animals, is usually lower than families living in urban
areas.
Most of the population in Bolivia lives in small, sun-dried mud brick
homes with zinc or tile roofs. These houses are often connected to other
homes to form a compound with a centre courtyard, providing a safe haven
during the winter weather and from undomesticated animals.
Plan
Bolivia's involvement
Plan's
work in Bolivia is divided between the urban and rural areas. In and
around the capital city of Sucre, Plan works in 40 slum areas and in 135
villages to promote health and education and raise living standards and
incomes. In the rural regions of Potosi, Altiplano, Tarija and Santa
Cruz, Plan's work is mainly focused on improving the living standards of
farming communities. [Read
More]
General
information
Official
Name República de Bolivia
Population
8.6 millions
Capital
City La Paz (850,000)
Area 1,098,580 sq km (424,178 sq mi)
Coastline
No access to sea
Languages Spanish (Official),
Quechua (Official), Aymara (Official)
Religions
Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant
Currency
Boliviano
Vital stats
Per
capita income $2,500/year (USA $36,300)
Population
under 15 37% (USA 21%)
Life
expectancy 65 years (USA 77)
Population
growth 1.63% (USA 0.92%)
Mortality Rate
(under 5) 56/1,000 live births (USA 6.75)
Poverty
70% (USA 13%)
Access
to safe water 83%
Adequate
sanitation facilities 70%
Literacy
(over 15) Male 93% Female 81% (USA 97%/97%)
Sources:
CIA World Fact Book, Plan
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