Photos from Our World

• Bolivia
• La Paz
• Lake Titicaca
  • Lago Titicaca
  • Copacabana
  • Isla del Sol
  • Tiwanaku
• Altiplano cities
  • Oruro
  • Potosí
• Sucre
• Tarabuco
• The South West
  • Salar de Uyuni
  • Far South West
• Bolivia's south
• Flag History

The People of Bolivia

Bolivia is one of only three countries in Latin America where the majority of the population consists of Amerindians - the other two are Peru and Guatemala. The Bolivian people are culturally, racially and socially very diverse: there are over 30 distinct indigenous groups that have been in the various regions for thousands of years. Until recently three official languages had been recognised: Spanish (usually called "Castellano"), Quechua, and Aymara. But since December 2009 a new constitution was adopted in which now all native languages and dialects are declared to be official languages. Even so, Spanish is used by most people, although many of Bolivia's indigenous peoples are bilingual. Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire (2.5 million) and Aymara (over 2 million) are spoken throughout Bolivia, while Chiquitano (180,000) and Guaraní (125,000) speakers belong to the two next largest indigenous groups. Bolivia's population is now more than 10 million.

The Quechua, the largest culture of Bolivia, are native to Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Potosí, Oruro and La Paz. They are mostly farmers and cultivate numerous varieties of corn and potatoes, quinoa and other tubers, although their most lucrative crop by far is coca. They also practice animal husbandry. The Aymara, the second largest Bolivian indigenous culture, are native to La Paz, Oruro and Potosí. Their sources of income are agriculture, animal husbandry, mining, fishing, handcrafts and trade. The Uru Uru culture is native to the area of La Paz and Oruro, which was named after them. There are fewer than 3,000 and speak the Uru language; most work in animal husbandry and the production of handcrafts. The great majority of European descendants are of Spanish origin, although there are also quite large German, Italian and North American communities, plus small numbers from many other European and Asian communities as well. There is also a small Afro-Bolivian population in the Yungas forest region, descendants of slaves that were brought from Africa long ago.

The great majority of the population of Bolivia claims to be Roman Catholic (over 80%). Many indigenous communities combine pre-Columbian and Christian symbols in their worship. Indigenous groups still live and practice their native beliefs, and tend to blend them with Roman Catholicism.

To see a photo full size, just click on it;
you may then send it as a postcard if you wish.