Geography & environment — Bolivia
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Bolivia: South America
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
South America
- Geographic Coordinates
17 00 S, 65 00 W
- Total Area
424,162 Square Miles 1,098,581 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
418,263 Square Miles 1,083,301 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
5,900 Square Miles 15,280 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
4,312 Miles 6,940 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km
Physical geography
- Terrain
Rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, and lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
- Highest Point
6,542 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Nevado Sajama 6,542 m
- Lowest Point
90 Meters
- Lowest Point Location
Rio Paraguay 90 m
- Natural Resources
Tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower
- Irrigated Land
495 Square Miles 1,282 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
Bolivia lies entirely within the Tropics, but extreme differences in elevation from 300 feet (90 meters) along the Brazilian border to 21,000 feet (6,400 meters) at the highest peaks produce a great variety of climatic conditions. Coupled with soil diversity, this produces highly varied vegetation, from the sparse scrub grasses in semiarid highlands to lush rain forests containing a variety of hardwoods (Mahogany, South American, Oak, and Cedar). There are two seasons in La Paz: a rainy season beginning in December and continuing through March (it rains almost daily during this period), and a dry season running from April to November. The climate is generally cool, but brilliant sunshine raises daytime temperatures. Midday outdoor parties and activities are pleasant. Rainfall averages 20 inches (51 centimeters) a year.
- Terrain
Rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, and lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
- Location
Central South America, southwest of Brazil
- Total Area
424,162 Square Miles 1,098,581 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
The clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation
soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture)
desertification
loss of biodiversity
industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation
- Environment - International Agreements
Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation