Republic of Bolivia

Form of government: Republic

Population: 9,947,418 (2010 estimate)

Capital: La Paz (seat of government), Sucre (country capital and seat of judiciary)

Area: 1, 098, 581 km2, 424, 164 sq mi

Largest cities: Santa Cruz, La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba, Oruro

Ethnic groups: Quechua 30%, Mestizo 30%, Aymara 25%, European 15%

Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)

Religious affiliations: Roman Catholic 88%, Protestant (largely Evangelical Methodist) 6%, Baha'i 3%, Other 3%

Education expenditure as a share of gross national product (GDP): 6.4 % (2003)

Number of years of compulsory schooling: 8 years (2007)

Monetary unit: 1 boliviano (B), consisting of 100 centavos

Economy: Agriculture (soybeans, coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber), Industries (mining, smelting, petroleum, Natural gas, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing),

Major trade partners for exports: Brazil, Switzerland, United States, Venezuela, Colombia

Major trade partners for imports: Brazil, Argentina, United States, Chile, Japan