Bolivia
Bolivia is situated in the heart of South-America. Surrounded by Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile, it has no access to the oceans. This is one of the reasons why it continues to be so poor.
The main cities are located in roughly two regions: the tropical lowlands and the mountainous highlands. Doctors on Mission serve people in both areas.
La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, with a population of mainly Aymara Indians. The central and southern Andes regions around Cochabamba, Sucre and Potosi have a Quechua population. Tarija counts with the Chapaco Indians.
The tropical lowlands originally belonged to Amazon tribes like Guaranies, Ayoreos and Yuracare Indians. The people in the lowlands are now called “Cambas,” with very distinct features and cultures from the “Colla” who live in the mountains.
We have our main logistical facilities and offices near the city of Sucre which enables us to reach the
poor southern areas of Bolivia. We also have a tropical mission base in Santa Ana, in the state of Beni which is in the Northern, Amazon region of Bolivia.
There are 3 official languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. The ethnic makeup of Bolivia is: Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15%.
The literacy rate is 87% for those over 15 years old. Over 70% of the nation lives in poverty. There is about 7.6% unemployment, but there is widespread underemployment as well.
Bolivia is the third largest cultivator of coca (used to make cocaine) in the world.
