Colonial period

The Spanish conquest began in 1524 and was mostly completed by 1533. The territory now called Bolivia was then known as "Upper Peru" and was under the authority of the Viceroy of Lima. Local government came from the Audiencia de Charcas located in Chuquisaca (La Plata—modern Sucre). Founded in 1545 as a mining town, Potosí soon produced fabulous wealth, becoming largest city in the New World with a population exceeding 150,000 people.

By the late 16th century Bolivian silver was an important source of revenue for the Spanish Empire. A steady stream of natives served as labor force (the Spanish employed the pre-Columbian draft system called the mita). Upper Peru was bounded to Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata in 1776. Túpac Katari led the indigenous rebellion that laid siege to La Paz in March of 1781, during which 20,000 people died. As Spanish royal authority weakened during the Napoleonic wars, sentiment against colonial rule grew.

Etimology

History

Colonial period

Independence and subsequent wars

Economic instability and continued wars

Nationalist Revolutionary Movement

Military governments: García Meza and Siles Zuazo

Sánchez de Lozada and Banzer: Liberalizing the economy

Bolivia under the Morales administration

Geography

Departments and provinces

Climate

Economy

Demographics

Health

Religion

Language

Politics

Legislative branch

Military

Culture

Educatione