mobile View, to the German Version tap the flag

Bolivia

• Plurinational State of Bolivia
• presidial republic
• own name: Estado Plurinacional de Bolívia

Contents

• Flags

• Historical Flags

• Meaning/Origin of the Flag

• Coat of Arms

• Historical Coats of Arms

• Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms

• Aircraft Roundel

• Map

• Numbers and Facts

• History

• Origin of the Country's Name

Flags

National and merchant flag,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)





since 2009,
Wiphala flag, = national symbol
ratio = 1:1,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)





State flag
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)





War flag
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)





since 2013,
Naval flag
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)





Naval jack
ratio = 1:1,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)

Historical Flags

1548–1776,
The region belongs to the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)





1776–1825,
The region belongs to the Spanish Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)





1825–1826,
State flag,
Source, by: World Statesmen, FOTW





1825–1826,
National and merchant flag,
Source, by: World Statesmen, FOTW





1831–1851,
State flag,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)





1831–1851,
National and merchant flag,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)





1851–1888,
State flag,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)





1966-2013,
Naval flag,
ratio = 2:3,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)

Meaning/Origin of the Flag

The today's design of the flag of Bolivia descents from 1851. The today's variant was introduced on the 14th of July, 1888. It consists of three horizontal stripes, red, yellow and green. Red represents the fauna, yellow the minerals resources, and green the vegetation and agriculture. Red also symbolizes the bravery and valor of the Bolivian soldiers. The colors of the flag go back to the first president of the land, Antonio José de Sucre (1795–1830). He introduced in 1826 a flag with the colors yellow, red and green, which was modeled after the design of the flag of Greater Colombia. In 1851 the new sequence of colors was laid down. It has been maintained until now.

Source: Wikipedia (ES), Translator of the English text: Joachim Nuthack

Coat of Arms

Coat of arms of Bolivia,
Source, by: Corel Draw 4, Wikipedia (ES)

Historical Coats of Arms

1825–1826,
Coat of arms of Bolivia,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)



1826–1851,
Coat of arms of Bolivia,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)



1851–1888,
Coat of arms of Bolivia,
Source, by: Wikipedia (ES)

Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms

Today's coat of arms of Bolivia was introduced in 1888, and in substance goes back to the coat of arms of 1825. The number of stars in the coat of arms always varied with the number of departments/provinces. It last showed nine stars. In 1963 the tenth star was added in memory of the department Cobija, which Bolivia lost in the Pacific War (1879–1884) to Chile. The oval blazon shows the mountain of Potosí, it represents the riches of minerals and ores, and a scenery with a alpaca, a sheaf and a palm tree, which represent the abundance of nature. The sun is an Inca symbol, and the condor above the shield symbolizes freedom. The first coat of arms of Bolivia was introduced in 1825 and showed already the elements of the today's coat of arms: the mountain of Potosi, an alpaca, and a palm tree, surrounded by a palm-twig and an oil-twig. Above the shield appeared a Phrygian Cap hold (a symbol of freedom), and two allegorical figures with a banner with the name of the country. The second coat of arms of Bolivia was introduced in 1826 and resembled already the todays coat of arms. The Phrygian Cap was replaced by a Condor in 1851.

Source: Wikipedia (ES)

Aircraft Roundel

Aircraft Roundel,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)

Map

Location:

Source: CIA World Factbook

Map of the country:

Source: CIA World Factbook

Numbers and Facts

Area: 422.531 square miles

Inhabitants: 11.080.649 (2018), thereof 68% Mestizos, 20% Indians (Quechua, Aymara), 5% Europeans (thereof ca. 30.000 Germans)

Religions: 78% Roman Catholic, 19% Protestant, 3% Non-Religious

Density of Population: 26 inh./sq.mi.

Capital: Sucre, 237.480 inh. (2012)

Seat of Government: La Paz, 757.184 inh. (2012)

official Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani

other Languages: 33 different indigenous languages

Currency: 1 Boliviano (BOB, Bs) = 100 Centavos

Time Zone: GMT – 4 h

Source: Wikipedia (D), CIA World Factbook

History

1471–1538 · the West of the today's country is a part of the Inca-Empire

1538–1545 · conquest by Spain, the region gets the name Upper Peru (Alto Perú)

1548 · part of the Vice-Kingdom Peru

1776 · part of the Vice-Kingdom Río de la Plata

1809 · onset of the liberation fight

1816 · Upper Peru becomes re-incorporated to Peru

1825 · Upper Peru becomes subordinated under Peruan military gouvernment

6th of August 1825 · Upper Peru proclaims independence

11th of August 1825 · proclamation of the República Bolívar

18th of May 1826 · Peru recognizes Bolivian independence

1836–1839 · Confederation Peru-Bolivia

1879–1884 · Pacific War, Bolivia looses its coastal province, the Departement of Cobija, to Chile

1899–1903 · war against the renegading Province of Acre

1903 · Peru has to cede large parts of Acre to Brazil and Peru

1932–1935 · war against Paraguay

18th of March 2009 · the Republic of Bolivia becomes renamed in "Plurinational State of Bolivia"

Source: Atlas zur Geschichte, Wikipedia (D), World Statesmen

Origin of the Country's Name

The region of the present-day Bolivia was called Upper Peru, Charcas or even Chuquisaca in the Spanish time. In honor of the freedom fighter Simón Bolívar, the in 1825 independent Republic was called "Bolivia" . In the Indian population (Quechua and Aymara), the country is often called "Qullasuyu".

Source: World Statesmen, Handbuch der geographischen Namen