Bolivia

[buh-liv-ee-uh, boh-; Spanish baw-lee-vyah] /bəˈlɪv i ə, boʊ-; Spanish bɔˈli vyɑ/

noun

a republic in W South America. 404,388 sq. mi. (1,047,370 sq. km). Capitals: La Paz and Sucre.

(often lowercase) a twill fabric made of cut pile with lines either in the warp direction or on the bias.

Related forms

Bolivian, adjective, noun

pro-Bolivian, adjective, noun

pseudo-Bolivian, adjective, noun

British Dictionary definitions for Bolivia

Bolivia

/bəˈlɪvɪə/

noun

an inland republic in central S America: original Aymará Indian population conquered by the Incas in the 13th century; colonized by Spain from 1538; became a republic in 1825; consists of low plains in the east, with ranges of the Andes rising to over 6400 m (21 000 ft) and the Altiplano, a plateau averaging 3900 m (13 000 ft) in the west; contains some of the world's highest inhabited regions; important producer of tin and other minerals. Official languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Religion: Roman Catholic. Currency: boliviano. Capital: La Paz (administrative); Sucre (judicial). Pop: 10 461 053 (2013 est). Area: 1 098 580 sq km (424 260 sq miles)

Word Origin and History for Bolivia

South American republic, founded 1825, named for Simon Bolivar (1783-1830), statesman and soldier.

Bolivia in Culture

Bolivia definition

Republic in western South America, bordered by Chile and Peru to the west, Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, and Argentina to the south. Sucre is its constitutional capital and its largest city; La Paz is its administrative capital.

Note: Simón Bolívar founded Bolivia in 1825 after winning independence from Spanish rule.

Note: The Bolivian government has long fought widespread drug production and trafficking in the country.