Thinking of Bolivia, immediately the Altiplano (the plateau), the Titiqaqa lake and La Paz, which lies at an altitude of 4,000 meters, comes to mind. However, two-thirds of the Bolivian surface is located at sea level and is absolutely tropical in temperature. In times of the Spanish Emperor, Carlos V, Bolivia provided enormous supplies of silver from the mines in Potosi to the Spanish Empire. Later, Bolivia was never really able to benefit from the rich mineral reserves that can be found all over the country. A fate that actually affects all Andean countries with large mineral resources.
Politically Bolivia has always been restless, owing to the fact that the interests of the Indians, who form the majority of the population, have never really been taken to heart in the past. Bolivian politics has traditionally been very unstable and with various, assertive, trade unions. At the beginning of the 21st century, the country chose for the first time a president of Indian descent, Evo Morales. After ten years of government, it is safe to say that under his rule, especially the poor and the Indians have seriously improved. His presidency also gave the Indian people more confidence and pride. Due to the worldwide fall in raw material prices, Bolivia has also experienced difficult economic times.
For Flanders, Bolivia is an interesting country to exchange and share know-how about infrastructure and public works.