Bolivia Complete Culture Study Essay, Research Paper
DESTINATION:La Paz, BOLIVIA Facts at a GlanceFull country name: Republic of BoliviaArea: 1,098,580 sq km (428,446 sq mi) Population: 7,826,350Capital city: La Paz (pop 1,000,000) and Sucre (pop 100,000)People: 30% Quechua Indian, approx 28% mestizo, 25% Aymar? Indian, approx 10% European (principally Spanish)Language: Spanish but most Indians speak either Quechua or Aymar?; composite dialects of Spanish-Aymar? and Spanish-Quechua are also widely spokenReligion: 95% Roman CatholicGovernment: DemocracyPresident: General Hugo Banzer EnvironmentHere is a summary of the climate and environment so you know what kind of wardrobe and other adjustments you need to make in order to adjust to different weather patterns.Bolivia itself is sandwiched between Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Chile in central South America. It is the fifth-largest country on the continent, measuring roughly the size of France and Spain combined. There are five geographical regions: the highly populated Altiplano, a 3500m (11,480ft) plateau which stretches from the Peruvian border north of Lake Titicaca southwards to the Argentine border; the highland valleys, which lie to the south and east of the Altiplano and which boast near optimum climatic conditions and fertile soils. Because of the extreme geographical variations, Bolivia has a wide range of climactic patterns. Generally, temperatures are cool, with the rainy period extending from November to March in most of the country. The city of La Paz is often has very cold temperatures and sometimes snow, while the Altiplano region is prone to severe flooding. During the dry period the climate is pleasant, though clear skies can cause nighttime temperatures to drop. In the lowlands, the weather is hot and sunny, with the occasional cloudburst helping to cool things down.The city of La Paz is situated 2 miles above sea level. It is geographically placed in a canyon which only shows a hint of greenery. This makes the oxygen premium and altitude sickness common for foreigners so be prepared for a change in breathing patterns.. HistoryYou will need to know some economic info to be able to be current with issues and keep good conversation during business gatherings. Civilization in the Bolivian Andes is thought to stretch back some 21,000 years. The most influential Pre-Columbian cultures were the Tiahuanaco, who were based around Lake Titicaca and who ruled the region between 600-1200 AD, and the Incas, who headed a vast empire which comprised most of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and northern Chile.The Spanish conquest of the country began in 1531 under Francisco Pizarro. The conquistadors made rapid progress, exploiting the trust (and later the disunity) of the Indians to secure the territory which became known as Alto Peru within two years. In 1544, deposits of silver were discovered at Potos?. The wealth generated by this find underwrote the Spanish economy (and the extravagance of its monarchs) for more than two centuries. However, conditions for the mine workers were appalling with most of the enslaved Indians and Africans dying within a few years.The process of achieving independence from the profligate Spanish administration finally came in the form of Sim?n Bolivar’s lieutenant Antonio Jos? de Sucre, in the battle of Ayacucho in 1824. Bolivia was formally declared a republic the following year.Bolivia’s territory had always been coveted by its neighbors, encompassing as it did over 2 million square kilometers (780,000 sq mi). Chile’s desire for more land first bore fruit in the War of the Pacific, which it fought with Bolivia between 1879 and 1884. Chile triumphed, securing 850km (527mi) of coastline and robbing Bolivia of the port of Antofagasta, leaving the country landlocked. Soon after, Peru, Brazil and Argentina also began hacking away at Bolivia’s borders. In 1932, a border dispute with Paraguay in the Chaco region over oil deposits stripped Bolivia of further land. The ensuing Chaco War (1932-1935) also served to foment civil unrest within the country, promulgating reformist associations and leading to a series of coups by reform-minded military leaders. Perhaps the most significant development during this time was the formation of the populist Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (MNR). In 1951, the MNR, under the leadership of V?ctor Paz Estenssoro, prevailed in the general elections but were stymied by a last-minute coup. The coup provoked a popular armed revolt which became known as the April Revolution of 1952. The military was subsequently defeated and Paz Estenssoro was brought back.In 1964, a military junta headed by General Ren? Barrientos overthrew the MNR. Military regimes subsequently came and went with monotonous regularity until the election of the leftist civilian Movimiento de la Izquierda Revolucionaria (MIR) under Dr Hern?n Siles Zuazo in 1982. Three years later Zuazo was defeated by Paz Estenssoro’s MNR, who immediately sought to curb the stratospheric inflation levels (at one point reaching 35,000% annually) and implemented austerity measures. Hugo Banzer Suarez of the ADN is currently president of Bolivia.Bolivia has now become the world’s second-largest exporter, after Colombia, of cocaine, which has alienated the USA, Bolivia’s main source of aid. Bolivia is currently vying to strengthen its regional links and is a supporter of a South American common market. While inflation has been reduced to around 10% annually, the country’s history of hyperinflation still deters overseas investors. Bolivia’s main structural problem is the huge gulf between the world of 20th-century business and the life of the majority of Bolivians, who remain subsistent peasants. Economic ProfileGDP: US$23.1 billionGDP per head: US$3000Annual growth: 4.4%Inflation: 7%Major industries: Agriculture, narcotics, tin mining, natural gas Major trading partner: USA Unemployment rate-10%Population Growth rate- 2%Birth rate- 31.43 births/1,000 populationDeath rate- 9.89 deaths/1,000 populationNet migration rate- 1.53 migrants/1,000 populationInfant mortality rate- 63.86/1,000 populationLife expectancy- 60.89 yearsLiteracy rate- 83.1% Electricity- 110v and 220v in LaPaz, 220v outside the city. Make sure to check object before plugging them in.Weights and measurements- Metric system CultureThis is just an overview of the people and their culture so you will know what to expect.Musical traditions within Bolivia are distinctly regional: strains of Andean music from the desolate Altiplano are suitably haunting and mournful, while those of warmer Tarija, with its compliment of bizarre musical instruments, take on more ebullient tones. Dances such as the cueca, auqui-auqui and tinku hold a reverent place in popular culture. Other forms of folk expression include spinning and weaving, which display regional differences but have changed little over the last 3000 years.Spanish is the official language, yet only 60 to 70% of the people actually speak it, and then often only as a second language. The remainder speak Quechua, the language of the Inca, or Aymar?, the pre-Inca language of the Altiplano. Roughly 95% of Bolivia’s population professes to be Roman Catholic, but the absence of clergy in rural areas has led to a synthesis of Inca and Aymar? beliefs with Christianity. The hybrid Christian/folk religion is an interesting conglomeration of doctrines, rites and superstitions. Bolivia’s food is dominated by meat dishes, accompanied by rice, potatoes and shredded lettuce. Sometimes llajhua (a hot sauce made from tomatoes and pepper pods) will be used to add spice and flavor to a dish. Bolivian beer, wine and chicha (industrial-strength maize liquor) are all good but be warned: if invited to drink with locals, be prepared as the alcohol is strong and Bolivian drinking habits lusty.The real color of the country is said to be in the people. It is common to see women with hats called bowlers that are worn to the side if they are single and on top if they are married. The streets are filled with gun toting military and business men in white shirts. Make sure to learn some Spanish because Bolivians love to talk.EventsEvents are important to know so that you will keep on top of the changing cultureBolivian fiestas are invariably of religious or political origin, normally commemorating a Christian or Indian saint or god, or a political event such as a battle or revolution. The festivities typically include lots of folk music, dancing processions, food, alcohol, ritual and generally unrestrained behavior. Major fiestas include Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria, a week-long festival in the virgin’s honor, best seen in Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca (early February); Carnival is a nationwide event but is best seen in Oruro (the week before Lent); Phujllay is held in Tarabuco to commemorate the Battle of Lumbati (early March); the animated Festividad de Nuestro Se?or Jes?s del Gran Poder is held in La Paz to celebrate the power of Jesus Christ (May-June); and Independence Day is a riotous nationwide party (6 August). Money & CostsCurrency: Boliviano (B$)Conversion Rate1 US Dollar-5.7600 Bo