Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Bolivia - Statistics & Facts
Despite being one of the largest countries in the world, Bolivia remains strikingly underpopulated, with only about 12.3 million people. The region has been inhabited by indigenous civilizations for several centuries, long before the Spanish conquest. The 16th-century conquest brought about an extractive economy centered on forced indigenous labor in silver mines, especially in the city of PotosÃ. These centuries of exploitation left deep scars, but also forged a collective identity rooted in resistance. In 1825, following years of struggle and with the support of independence leader Simón BolÃvar, Bolivia broke free from colonial rule. The newly formed republic paid tribute to BolÃvar by adopting his name.
