Bolivia

Bolivia is known worldwide for the mineral wealth it produces. It is also renowned for being historically a complex multicultural and multiethnic society. This book studies the social, environmental and economic issues of Bolivia. Chapter One focuses on the indigenous presence in Chiquitanía. Chapter Two discusses the eastern borders of Bolivia in the early decades of the 19th century. Chapter Three presents the dynamic creation of the Plurinational State of Bolivia; and describes an environmental perspective which shows a contrast between capitalist production and the Buen vivir (well-being) models developed by the local Bolivian community, a fundamental contrast to understand the future of the Latin-American region. Chapter Four discusses the camelid populations and soil classification and fertility in Bolivia. Chapter Five examines the effect of artesanal gold mine activities on metals and metalloids contents in soils and sediments from Apolobamba, Bolivia.