Where the seas are made of salt and the stars seem close enough to touch - this is Bolivia. The only country in South America with a predominantly indigenous population also offers unique natural highlights.

The most famous are in the Andes highlands: Surmounted by the snow-capped peaks of the King Cordillera, Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, lies at an altitude of 4,000 m. The magnificent Salar de Uyuni, which can even be seen from space, lies southeast of the old silver city and UNESCO World Heritage Site Potosi.

La Paz, the country's seat of government, now boasts the highest urban cable car system in the world and the former residence of the tin barons Ururo attracts visitors with its colourful carnival. Santa Cruz is a hub for trips to the national parks of the eastern lowlands and for exploring the nearby "Ruta del Che", as well as the magnificent wooden churches of the Jesuit missions in the Ciquitania - also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

TRAVEL TIPS

Culture:

Cities of Potosi and Sucre, Missions of Chiquitos, Pre-Columbian Ruins of Tiahuanaco and Samaipata (all UNESCO World Heritage), La Paz

Nature:

Lake Titicaca, Uyuni Salt Lake, King Cordillera, Noel Kempff National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Madidi National Parks, Pilon Lajas and Metes Caparusch National Parks, Amazon and Rio Beni

Sports:

Mountaineering, Trekking, Rafting

Festivals:

Carnival of Oruro and less overcrowded the Carnival in Tarabuco (March), pilgrimage festival in honor of the Virgin of Copacabana at Lake Titicaca (August)

Reading:

Daniel Haller: "Of bitter politics and spicy cuisine"

Tip:

Restaurant "Gustu" in La Paz, offshoot of the famous "Noma" in Copenhagen, not only offers local cuisine at a high level, but is also a training centre for young Bolivians with its project "Melting Pot Bolivia".

FACTS AND FIGURES

Country and people:

About 10 million inhabitants live on a land area of 1.1 million sqkm, 40% of them indigenous. The capital Sucre with approx. 260 000 inhabitants and the seat of government is La Paz (highest government city in the world) with approx. 1 million inhabitants.

Currency:

Boliviano (BOB)

Language:

Spanish

Entry:

Passport valid for at least 6 months for stays of up to 90 days.

Climate and travel time:

Good to travel all year round. From 3 000 m it is cool at night, around 1500 m temperate; in the lowlands it is humid