Bolivia

The territory of Bolivia, a part of the ancient empire of the Incas, was conquered in 1538 by the Spanish conquistador Hernando Pizarro, younger brother of the Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro. For some 200 years the area, known as the Audiencia of Charcas, was one of the most prosperous and populous centers in the Spanish colonies.

Revolts in 1809 led to the Wars of Independence. Bolivia declared its independence of Spain on August 6, 1825 and took the name of Bolivia on August 11.

Musical traditions within Bolivia are distinctly regional: strains of Andean music from the desolate Altiplano are suitably haunting and mournful, while those of warmer Tarija, with its compliment of bizarre musical instruments, take on more ebullient tones. Dances such as the cueca, auqui-auqui and tinku hold a reverent place in popular culture. Other forms of folk expression include spinning and weaving, which display regional differences but have changed little over the last 3000 years.

Country Reports
World Factbook 2002