GOVERNMENT OF BOLIVIA

Country name: Republic of Bolivia (shortened locally to Bolivia)

* Currently the government is calling Bolivia the "Plurinational State of Bolivia" and this new name appears on all its websites and stationery.

For Bolivia's name to legally be changed a law must be passed. No law changing the country's name has been passed yet; however, the Bolivian government, a fairly large portion of Bolivia's population, and many international organizations are already calling Bolivia a "Plurinational State".

The Bolivian Constitution: is brand new. President Evo Morales and his political party the M.A.S. drafted a new constitution which was highly debated and negotiated until finally in October of 2008 the text was agreed upon in Congress. Approximately 60% of Bolivia's citizens voted to approve the new constitution during a national referendum on 25 January 2009 after months of dispute.

The 1967 constitution (revised in 1994) provides for balances three-way power between the executive, legislative and judiciary branches of government. However, the executive branch wields significant power while Congress generally debates and approves legislation the executive initiates. The judiciary branch is comprised of the Supreme Court and lower departmental courts. The judicial system and processes were reformed with the 1994 revision of the constitution.

In August 2006 Bolivia held its first “Constituent Assembly” since 1938 with the intent to revise and reform the Constitution once more. Despite the nature and purpose of holding a constituent assembly, President Evo Morales Aima's government has nominated many of his indigenous followers to head this revision.

National elections, ideally, are set to be held every 5 years; however, throughout the past 175 years of its history Bolivia has had nearly 200 heads of state.

President and Vice President: (the president is both the chief of state and the head of government)

Cabinet: (appointed by the president)

President: Juan Evo Morales Aima (goes by Evo, not Juan)
Vice President: Alvaro García Linera

Legislative Branch of the Government: National Congress consisting of a Chamber of Senators (27 seats elected by popular vote for 5-year terms – 3 per department). Chamber of Deputies (130 seats. 69 are directly elected by popular vote for 5-year terms – by population percentiles. 61 are elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve 5-year terms).

Judicial Branch of the Government: Supreme Court (judges are appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress)

Legal system: Modeled after Spanish Law and the Napoleonic Code

National Government Ministries Ministry of Rural Development and Agriculture, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Relations and Worship, Ministry of Government, Ministry of Health and Sports, Ministry of Hydrocarbons, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Mining and Metals, Ministry of the Presidency, Ministry of Services and Public Works, Ministry of Planning and Development, Ministry Without Portfolio for Justice, Ministry Without Portfolio for Water. (Since Evo Morales was elected, some changes in ministries are planned, possibly meaning the addition of a few more).

Suffrage: Universal and obligatory (over 18 if married, over 21 if single)

Capital cities: Bolivia is the only country in South America to boast two capital cities: Sucre (constitutional capital and seat of the judiciary branch), and La Paz (de facto capital and seat of executive and administrative branches since 1898).

Political divisions: 9 geographical departments: Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosí, Santa Cruz, Tarija.

The Administrative Decentralization Law of 1995 provides for greater autonomy for the departments. On 18 December 2005 prefects (departmental “governors”) who prior to this date were appointed by the President, were elected by means of a popular vote. Bolivian cities and town are governed directly by mayors and city councils, elected to 5-year terms. The Popular Participation Law of 1994 permits municipalities to use a portion of national revenues at their own discretion, enabling previously neglected communities to improve their facilities and services.

Independence: First proclaimed in 1809. First signed Declaration on Independence, 6 August 1825 (national holiday). (See photos of Bolivian Independence Day here).

Flag: Originally three stripes (green-red-green). Now red-yellow-green. Click to view the Bolivian national flag and coat of arms, as well as the flags of each department.

National Bird: The Andean Condor (the largest bird in the Western Hemisphere).

National Animal: The llama (pronounced "ya-ma" not "la-ma") has been bred and used as a pack animal by indigenous peoples of the Andes for thousands of years. It is related to the alpaca, the vicuña, and the guanaco. All are camelids (related to the camel).

Area: Current area: 1,098,581 square kilometers (424,162 square miles). Originally part of the Viceroyalty of Alto Perú, it lost territory to Brazil, Chile and Paraguay.

Population: Estimated at 8,858,000 in 2005. Estimated at 9,982,000 in July 2006. Click here for more information on Bolivia's population.

As in most other countries, the national anthem is usually played by a marching band. Bolivia's national anthem is nearly 6 minutes long. You might prefer this shorter, very fun and surprisingly awesome rock version played by famous Bolivian rockers Azul Azul:

Or you can download one of six different versions found on this page which also contains the written stanzas and chorus of the Bolivian national anthem.

Foreign relations: Throughout its history Bolivia's government has maintained normal foreign relations will all nations in the Western Hemisphere except for Chile (due to Bolivia’s defeat and loss of territory to this country in the War of the Pacific in 1883).

Bolivia participates in the Organization of American States, the Río Group, the MERCOSUR, and is a member of the United Nations, the Andean Community, The ALADI (Latin American Integration Association), the World Trade Organization, and the Amazon Pact, and many other governmental and international organizations.

Current president Evo Morales Aima is highly critical of US policy and is regularly advised by Fidel Castro, dictator of Cuba and Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela. The eradication of coca crops and illegal drug trafficking in the Chapare region of Bolivia has played an important part in dampening US-Bolivia relations; however at this time the US continues to be a major partner for economic development, educational, health and environmental development.

Many nations maintain embassies or consular agencies in Bolivia. Bolivia’s government, chambers of commerce and industry work hard to increase and improve trade relations between Bolivia and other nations. Click here for an overview of politics in Bolivia.

Bolivia’s Military The military has been very involved in Bolivian politics throughout its entire history, having been used by various political parties to stage coups, keep public order, and squelch members of the opposition. Several military men have been heads of state in Bolivia, having both forced their way into office by means of coups and having been elected to office. Click here for more on Bolivia’s history.

Military Branches: Bolivia has four military branches.

1. Army (Ejercito Boliviano)
2. Navy (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, includes Marines)
3. Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Boliviana)
4. National Police Force (Policia Nacional de Bolivia)

Interestingly, despite being landlocked, Bolivia’s Navy carries out drills and exercises on Lake Titicaca.

Military Draft 18 years of age, compulsory draft for one year. (An estimated 40% of the armed forces under 18 – many voluntarily register.)

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