Background

the “worst road in the world”. Not for the faint hearted…

Western Bolivia: Andes and mountainous. Generally lush, forested and fertile until the higher altitudes where it becomes more of a harsh environment. Capital La Paz highest in world at around 12,000 ft above sea level. Primarily indigenous people (especially the Aymara) in these parts.

Eastern Bolivia: lower lying, flatter and tropically hot. Most wealth and natural resources, especially gas, found here and primarily settled by people of European descent, centred around the city of Santa Cruz.

Recent Politics

President Evo Morales is the first indigenous president of Bolivia, with supporters primarily in the west of the country. Pretty much follows the socialist policies of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and with a strong anti-US rhetoric – the US ambassador was ejected from Bolivia a couple of weeks before I travelled there.

The government is trying to bring about constitutional change to allow wealth and resource redistribution amongst the poor, much to the opposition of the five eastern states where much of the wealth exists. There have been recent violent clashes and protests from both sides but, fingers crossed; a settlement appears to have been agreed.