Full country name: Republic of Bolivia.
Capital: Unlike most countries Bolivia has two capitals. Sucre is the constitutional capital and La Paz is the administrative capital.
Area: 1,084,390 SQ KM.
Population: 9,775,246 (July 2009 est.)
Major Industries: Agriculture, pharmaceuticals, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing, tin mining, natural gas.

LOCATION
Bolivia is located in the west-central part of South America. It borders five countries with a total of 6,743 km (4,190 mi) of borders; of these, the longest is the 3,400 km (2,113 mi) northeastern border with Brazil. Bolivia also neighbors Peru, with a 900 km (559 mi) border.

CLIMATE
Bolivia’s climate varies greatly from season to season. Between November and March is the summer season when the weather is typically warmer and wetter. April through October, the winter months, it is typically colder and drier. In the highlands, the climate can be very cold and temperatures usually go below zero in the evening. However in Sucre, Cochabamba and Tarija the winters are much nicer with blue skies and comfortable temperatures.

GOVERNMENT
Bolivia is a democratic country. The bicameral National Congress is the legislature and is made up of the 27-member Senate and 130 -member Chamber of Deputies. Both houses are directly elected for five years. The President, who is Head of State and wields executive power with the Cabinet, is elected by universal suffrage for a term of five years, may be not re-elected for one additional term. The president can be re-elected on a future term, under the condition that at least one term has finished. The President appoints the Council of Ministers.

CURRENCY
Boliviano

BANKING

BNB Bank: Monday-Friday 9:00am-8:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-3:00pm; Sunday closed

Mercantil de Santa Cruz Bank: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm; Sunday closed

BCP Bank: Monday-Friday  8:30am-6:30pm; Saturday  9:00am-12:30pm; Sunday closed

Bisa Bank: Monday-Friday  8:30am-4:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-1:00pm; Sunday closed

Credit Bank – Monday-Friday  9:00am-8:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-3:00; Sunday closed 

Languages
Spanish is the official language but most Indians speak either Quechua or Aymará; dialects of Spanish-Aymará and Spanish-Quechua are also widely spoken.

Religion
Most of the people in Bolivia are Roman Catholic.

Shopping
One of the most well known markets in La Paz is the Mercado de Brujas or The Witches Market. Located in the district of Calle Linares on cobblestone streets, this market is well known for its diverse artifacts, potions and Andean folklore and customs. However, in La Paz, the streets are also filled with vendors selling handmade arts and crafts, alpaca sweaters, hand-woven shoulder bags, leather bags, wool hats, textiles and gloves, and beautiful silver jewelry.

Culture
The Bolivian culture is a mixture of Spanish colonization and local Indian communities Aymara, Quechua, Urus y Chipayas. Bolivian culture has many Inca and other Indian influences in religion, music and clothing, such as the well known bowler hats. The best known fiesta is the UNESCO heritage "El carnaval de Oruro". Entertainment includes soccer, which is the national sport, and played in many street corners. Also, zoos are a popular attraction with a diverse population of interesting creatures.

Restaurants
Most Bolivian restaurants offer a similar menu of local dishes such as aji de lengua or cow’s tongue in chili sauce, sajita or chicken in chili sauce, saice or chopped meat in a chili sauce, and silpancho which is a thin piece of veal breaded and served with 2 fried eggs, onions, and tomatoes. However, they also offer a variety of international food such as filet mignon, pineapple chicken, pasta, and omelets. La Paz also has a variety of ethnic restaurants, such as Japanese, Korean, French, German, and Italian.

Entertainment
A popular thing to do in La Paz is to visit a peña, which is a folk music and dancing show. Peña’s usually serve traditional Andean food and attract performances by well known local musicians.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Police:  110
Fire Department: 119
Rescue: 128
Water Company: 221-1222
Electricity Company: 233-3300   
Illimani Rescue: 284-4040
Child Hospital: 224-5076
Hospitals and Clinics: 222-9180
Police Transit: 237-1230
Airport El Alto SABSA: 281-0240

SCHOOLS
Bolivia has several private schools that may be considered, such as:

American Cooperative School, La Paz
which has an excellent North American based curriculum. Graduates are able to enter the best universities in the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

Colegio Frances de Santa Cruz
has a French based educational system. Here students learn during cycles which can last a couple of years. At the end of the cycle a worldwide test is taken.

Santa Cruz International School, La Paz
is an English school located in Santa Cruz de La Sierra providing English education of an internationally recognized standard to the people in the city.

IMMIGRATION PROCESS
A visa is required for all foreigners to legally reside in Bolivia. There are 2 ways of obtaining this visa. The foreigner may obtain it in his/her country prior to arriving in Bolivia or after arriving it may be obtained with the Bolivian immigration office.

Apart from a visa is it important to have the following documents:
· Work contract
· Medical exams conducted in Bolivia
· Interpol
· Residential Certificate
· Police record
· Translation of documents

Once these requirements have been met, all paperwork should be taken to the immigration office and a visa permit for one year should be requested. Once the passport is stamped, it is possible to obtain a Bolivian ID. The entire process takes about a month and a half.

Important Immigration Links:

American Consulate - www.bolivia.usembassy.gov

Bolivian-American Chamber of Commerce - www.bolivia-us.org

Country Information - www.boliviaun.org/cms

HOUSING
The best areas to reside in La Paz are:

South: Calacoto, San Miguel, Bajo Ipavi & Florida
Furnished 4 bedroom apartments range from $1,100-$1,300USD.
Furnished 4 bedroom homes range from $1,400-$1,700USD.

Center: Sopocachi, San Jorge & San Pedro
Furnished 4 bedroom apartments range from $700-$1,000USD.
Furnished 4 bedroom homes range from $900-$1,300USD.

Center: Mira Flores, Alto Obrajes & Alto Ipavi
Furnished 4 bedroom apartments range from $400-$600USD.
Furnished 4 bedroom homes range from $500-$800USD.

HOLIDAYS

New Year: January 1st
Carnival: February
Good Friday: April
Labor Day: May 1st
Corpus Christi: June
Independence Day: August 6th
All Saints’ Day: November 1st
Christmas Day: December 25th

Technical Information:
Voltage: The electrical power in the whole country is 220v-ac, with the exception of La Paz that uses 110 and 220v-ac.
Plugs: Standard American Plugs
Television Systems: NTSC