The national flag of Bolivia is composed of three horizontal bands; the top band is red in colour symbolising the sacrifice and bravery involved in Bolivia’s pursuit of independence. The central stripe is yellow which portrays the country’s wealth as well as its abundance of minerals. The bottom band of green is representative of the land’s agricultural and natural fertility. In the centre of the flag, is the Bolivian coat of arms, which features a variety of different components. In the top part, is an Andean condor and laurel branches. The laurel branches depict peace, while the Andean condor represents Bolivia’s want to protect their nation. Behind the central cartouche are six Bolivian flags, three on each side, muskets, rifles, an axe and a Phrygian hood. The axe and Phrygian hood are symbolistic of freedom, while the rifles depict the nation’s fight for independence. The 10 stars represent the departments of Bolivia and the former province of Litoral. In the centre, there is a llama, wheat and a palm tree, showing some of the common natural resources found in Bolivia, while behind is Mount Potosi and Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This flag was officially adopted in the 1850s.

Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This flag was officially adopted in the 1850s.

Bolivia is a landlocked country in the western central region of South America. To the north and east is Brazil, to the south Paraguay and Argentina and to the west Peru and Chile. It is 1,098,581km² in area and home to around 12.8 million people. Bolivia has 37 official languages, including Spanish and 36 indigenous languages. Bolivia has two capital cities, Sucre and La Paz. La Paz is the highest capital city in the world at an elevation of about 3,650m, above sea level. The Yungas Road which leads from La Paz to the Amazon Basin, is considered one of the world’s most dangerous roads, nicknamed the ‘Death Road’, before safer alternatives were made to connect the two locations around 200 people died on the road per year, before the 1990s. The world’s largest salt flat can be found in Bolivia, covering around 10,582km², and is named Salar de Uyuni.