Bolivia Maps & Facts - World Atlas

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Bolivia is a landlocked nation located in west-central South America. Covering an area of 1,098,581 sq.km (424,164 sq mi), Bolivia is the 5th largest country in South America and the largest landlocked nation in the Southern Hemisphere.

As observed on the physical map of Bolivia above, the country's western half is covered by the Andes - as three meandering high mountain chains dominate the landscape. The Cordillera Occidental (in the west) is a long line of mostly bleak, dormant volcanoes; the Cordillera Central stands in the middle, while the (eastern) Cordillera Oriental is a massive snow-capped series of stunning granite mountains.

The Altiplano (a high plateau) is sandwiched between the Cordilleras. Once just deep valleys (or rifts) between the three mountain ranges, over eons of time it filled with sedimentary debris washed down from the surrounding peaks. The eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental descend gently into rolling hills; numerous rivers flow eastward here, forming long valleys.

The highest point in Bolivia, as marked on the map as a yellow upright triangle is Nevado Sajama at 21,463ft (6,542m); while the lowest point is Paraguay River at 230ft (70m). Northeast of La Paz, the landscape descends into fertile semi tropical valleys, drained by narrow rivers. The southeast is covered by semi-arid plains that turn swampy during heavy rains.

Bolivia's Altiplano contains several salt flats, the dried remnants of ancient lakes; Uyuni Saltpan (Salar de Uyuni) is the largest one, covering almost 3500 sq.miles.

Also marked on the map above is Bolivia's most important lake, Lake Titicaca, located in the western part of the country along the border with Peru.Deep and cold, Lake Titicaca is at 3810 meters above sea level, being the highest lake in South America, is the highest commercially navigable body of water in the world.

Salty Lake Poopo is the largest inland lake, varying greatly in size based on rainfall.

Most of Bolivia's significant rivers (or rios) are located central and north. Countrywide, important ones included the Beni, Desaquadero, Guapore, Madre de Dios and Mamore.