area handbook series Bolivia a country study Bolivia a country study Federal Research Division Library of Congress Edited by Rex A. Hudson and Dennis M. Hanratty Research Completed December 989 1 On the cover: The Twelfth of the Autumnal Equinox, main figure on the back of the Great Idol of Tiwanaku, a monolithic pillar excavated in 1932 Third Edition, First Printing, 1991. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bolivia : a country study / Federal Research Division, Library of — Congress edited by Rex A. Hudson and Dennis M. Hanratty. ; 3rd ed. — p. cm. (Area handbook series) (DA pam 550-66) ; "Supersedes the 1973 edition ofArea h—andbook for Bolivia / coauthors: Thomas E. Weil and others" T.p. verso. "Research completed December 1989." Includes bibliographical references (pp. 297-328) and index. D Supt. of Docs. no. 101.22:550-66/989 : 1. Bolivia. I. Hudson, Rex A., 1947- . II. Hanratty, Dennis Michael, 1950- III. Library of Congress. Federal Research . Division. IV. Area handbook for Bolivia. V. Series. VI. Series: DA pam 550-66. ; F3308.B685 1991 90-26427 984—dc20 CIP Headquarters, Department of the Army DA Pam 550-66 ForsalebytheSuperintendentofDocuments, U.S. GovernmentPrintingOffice Washington,D.C. 20402 Foreword This volume is one in a continuing series of books now being prepared by the Federal Research Division ofthe Library ofCon- — gress underthe Country Studies Area Handbook Program. The last page of this book lists the other published studies. Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign country, describing and analyzingits political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelation- ships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. Each study iswritten by a multidisciplinary team ofsocial scientists. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make upthe society, theirorigins, dominantbeliefs andvalues, theircom- mon interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature and extent oftheirinvolvementwith national institutions, and their attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and political order. The books represent the analysis ofthe authors and should not be construed as an expression ofan official United States govern- ment position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards ofscholarly objectivity. Corrections, additions, and suggestions for changes from readers will be wel- comed for use in future editions. Louis R. Mortimer Acting Chief Federal Research Division Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20540 iii Acknowledgments The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Thomas E. Weil,Jan Knippers Black, Howard I. Blutstein, HansJ. Hoyer, Kathryn T.Johnston, and David S. McMorris, who wrote the 1973 edition oftheAreaHandbookforBolivia. The present volume incorporates portions of their work. The authors are grateful to individuals in various agencies of the United States government and private institutions who gave their time, research materials, and special knowledge to provide information and perspective. None ofthese agencies or institutions is in any way responsible for the work of the authors, however. The authors also would like to thank those who contributed di- rectly to the manuscript. These include Richard F. Nyrop, who reviewed all drafts and served asliaisonwiththe sponsoringagency; Sandra W. Meditz, who performed the substantive review of all textual and graphicmaterials; MimiCantwell, whoeditedthe chap- ters; MarthaE. Hopkins, who managed editing; AndreaT. Merrill, who managedproduction; and BarbaraEdgerton,Janie L. Gilchrist, and Izella Watson, who did the word processing. In addition, BeverlyWolpert performed the final prepublication editorial review, and Shirley Kessel compiled the index. Malinda B. Neale of the Library of Congress Printing and Processing Section performed phototypesetting, under the supervision of Peggy Pixley. David P. Cabitto, who was assisted by Sandra K. Ferrell and KimberlyA. Lord, provided invaluable graphics support. David P. Cabitto prepared the illustrations, SandraK. Ferrell prepared the ranks and insignia charts, and Kimberly A. Lord prepared all the maps except forthe topography and drainage map, whichwas pre- pared by Harriett R. Blood. Tim Merrill provided geographic support. Finally, the authorsacknowledge the generosityoftheindividuals and the public and private agencies, as well as the Embassy of Bolivia, who allowed their photographs to be used in this study. The authors are particularly indebted to Kevin Healy ofthe Inter- American Foundation for providing many ofthe photographs used in this volume.