Maybe its being land-locked and surrounded by massive countries like Brazil, Peru and Argentina that makes Bolivia one of the most over-looked countries in the Americas. A nation with spell-binding expanses of snow-capped peaks, volcanoes and salt flats; enduring indigenous traditions; and a city centre sitting at 3500 metres above sea level surely merits our attention. Two chains of the Andes mountains run parallel across the western half of the country with the remote barrens of the Altiplano nestled between them. Here, the world’s largest salt flats at Uyuni fill more than 12, 000 square kilometres, and when even partially flooded, make the boundary between water and sky barely discernable. Large flocks of flamingoes often fill these flats, while Alpacas, Vicuñas and Llamas roam the surrounding vastness. Though Spanish colonial influence is well-represented, having South America’s largest percentage of indigenous peoples makes Bolivia culturally distinct. Traditional foods include a variety of breads and tubers, especially cassava, as well as the great superfood quinoa. The lowlands comprise the Amazon Basin, making Bolivia one of the world’s most biologically rich countries.
