BOLIVIA
BY BRIANE AQUILA
How does the culture affect the everyday life?
In Bolivia people are culturally, racially and socially diverse, a clear reflection of the over 36 Native I indigenous groups that have inhabited the country's various regions for thousands of year, and a result of the historical assimilation of other races overtime. Bolivian is one of only three country's in Latin America whose largest population segment is comprised of Amerindian- the other two being Guatemala and Peru. In 2010 Bolivia's population grew to over ten million people.
Where do most people live? Why do they live there?
As Bolivia's population grown it has also become more urban. Since the 1970's , a majority of Bolivians have lived in cities or towns. The La Paz an d Santa Cruz urban areas each have more than one million. Native Americans have lived in whats now known as Bolivia for thousands of years. During the 1500's , Spain began to colonize the are. Through the years, many Spaniards and Indigenous people inter mimed. Today mestizos, make up about 30% of the population. About 60% of the population are Indigenous, and a small percent of European ancestry.
What are Bolivia's natural resources?
Bolivia is rich in natural resources and is a leading producer of natural gas, soybeans, and tin. However, the export of these resources without accompanying industrial development has hampered the country's economy.As a result Bolivia hasone of the lowest standards of living inthe Western Hemisphere. Most Bolivians are poor, and many get only a few years of schooling. About half the country's workers farm for a living.
Why does Bolivia have two capitals? What were they named after? Why?
The text for this new constitution states in the very first article "SUCRE IS THE CAPITAL CITY IF BOLIVIA." Sucre campaigned heavily to vote against the new constitution and other Bolivian States (TARIJA, SATA CRUZ , BENI, AND PANDO) supported Sucre. However the new Bolivian Constitution proposed by president Evo Morals,was approved by a narrow margin of just over 50%. Sucre remains the capital of Bolivia and La Paz the seat of government. Even though more states voted against it, the new constitution passed because the states that voted to approve the new constitution has a larger population.