Bolivia

sits in the heart, the geographic center, of South America. One of the hemisphere's two land-locked nations, Bolivia is roughly the size of Texas and California combined. Diverse and rugged geography has slowed the country's economic development. Travel by ground is at best difficult, with more than 75% of Bolivia's roads unpaved. Most roads are located in the west, on the Altiplano, in the Andes and in the highland valleys known as the Yungas and Chapare.

The diversity of the topography is awesome: majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountains, lush and impenetrable jungles, sweeping desert plains and broad fertile valleys. This inaccessibility is responsible for another reason to visit, to see Bolivia's impressive flora and fauna. Primitive roads have retained the pristine state of immense tracts of land. This ancient land is the home of the pre-incan Tiahuanaco ruins and the world famous Lake Titicaca - the highest lake in the world. As legend has it, Manco Capac and Mama Oclio, the ancestors of Incan culture, rose from its depths to bring knowledge to humanity.

Bolivia is also rich in human diversity. More than 30 ethnic groups together account for more than 50% of Bolivia's population. The age-old customs, fiestas and culinary treats of the Aymara, Quechua, Tupi, and Guarani cultures are ever-present. Bolivia is the fifth-largest country on the continent with five geographical regions.

When to go

Bolivia lies in the southern hemisphere; winter runs from May to October and summer from November to April. The most important climatic factor to remember is that it's generally wet in the summer and dry in the winter.

While the highlands and altiplano can be cold in the winter and wet in the summer, the only serious barrier to travel will be the odd road washout. In the tropical lowlands, however, summer can be miserable with mud, steamy heat, bugs and relentless downpours. Travel is difficult, and services may be stifled by mud and flooding.

When to go cont. Also consider that the high tourist season falls in the winter (late June to early September), due not only to climatic factors, but also to the timing of European and North American summer holidays and the fact that it's also Bolivia's major fiesta season. This means that both overseas visitors and lots of South Americans are traveling during this period.