Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan straddles Eastern Europe and Western Asia in the Caucasus Mountains. It is the largest and most populous country in the region, and despite facing many of the problems common to the former Soviet republics, has bright prospects for future wealth, owing to its fossil fuel and mineral reserves.
Azerbaijan was originally inhabited by a people known as the Caucasian Albanians (unrelated to the Balkan Albanians of modern Albania). The country takes its name from their leader, Atropates, who ruled it first as a vassal of Persia, and later of Alexander the Great, before proclaiming it an independent kingdom. This kingdom eventually fell to the Seleucid Greeks, and then to Sassanid Persia. Like many countries in the region, it was a prize fought over by numerous conquerors, who contributed distinct cultural influences to the Azerbaijani national character. The most significant of these were the Turkic peoples of Central Asia, from whom are descended the predominant Azeri ethnic group of modern Azerbaijan. The country was absorbed by Russia in the 19th century; following the Bolshevik Revolution, it was a member of the short-lived Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic before declaring its independence as an equally short-lived Azerbaijan Democratic Republic–the precursor of the modern state, and the first unified Azerbaijani polity in centuries. This ended when the country was again annexed by Russia, and became a constituent republic of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan seceded from the USSR in 1990, amid popular frustration over the lack of a Russian response to the spreading social unrest in the country. The new democratic administration was overthrown by a military coup in 1993, which resulted in the rod of government being taken up by the Aliyev family.
Azerbaijan continues to confront numerous issues, including uncertain progress toward democracy, pollution and environmental degradation, and a smoldering dispute with Armenia over the fate of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Nevertheless, it’s beautiful scenery and diverse cultural mix make it a fantastic place to visit. Although primarily mountainous, it hosts a wide variety of climate zones, from subtropical and desert to tundra, and is home to many endemic species. Azerbaijan is one of the few predominantly Muslim countries in Europe, although a number of other religions are present, including a small, but growing and historically significant, community of Zoroastrians.
Despite being a net emigrant country, Azerbaijan has many job prospects. Opportunities abound in the as-yet untapped, but economically critical, mining and oil industries. Other types of employment to be found range from NGO and volunteer work to travel and tourism. Linguistic and anthropological work are highly viable options as well, as there is a dearth of academic research on many of Azerbaijan’s isolated minority communities.
Azerbaijani is the country’s sole official language; it is closely related to, and highly intelligible with, Turkish. Russian was once the most common second language, although it is largely being replaced by English in the cities. Among the country’s many minority languages are numbered Lezgian, Talysh, Avar, Georgian, and Kurdish.
Links
Country Info:
BBC News Country Profiles: Azerbaijan
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Wikipedia: Azerbaijani Language
Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Official Website
US Department of State: Azerbaijan Country-Specific Information
Bahrain
The Kingdom of Bahrain is widely considered one of the most liberal countries in the Middle East. Located in the Persian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, this island nation has become an attractive destination for working foreigners and students who want to experience Arab culture.
The word “Bahrain” means “two seas” in Arabic, and refers to the freshwater springs found near the island within the Persian Gulf. In ancient times it was part of the great Achaemenid Empire of Persia, and was later ruled by the successive Parthian and Sassanid dynasties of Iran. The modern state of Bahrain gained independence from Persia in 1783, and soon after became a British protectorate. Already during this time the island was noted for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and growing affluence, which increased with the discovery of oil deposits in 1932. A nascent independence movement gained support following World War II; the decreasing British presence in Bahrain left the country open to competing territorial claims, but through careful political maneuvering an independent state was established in 1972.
Since independence from Britain, Bahrain has had a few struggles with socially conservative elements in society, but by and large has gained a reputation as the most moderate and tolerant of the Gulf States. This attitude extends to economic matters as well: the 2007 Index of Economic Freedom ranked Bahrain second in the Middle East and North Africa region. Oil and petroleum are the primary sources of revenue, but Bahrain is also noted for having developed a strong financial services sector that has transformed the country into a major banking hub. Tourism is growing in importance, owing chiefly to the great shopping and nightlife in the capital city, Manama, and international sporting events, especially Formula One.
Bahrain has a thriving expatriate community. At least nine ethnic group make up the country’s citizens, and there are substantial numbers of guest workers, especially from India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and the West. Jobs are available in many industries, particularly finance and construction, and Bahrain has a very favorable employment environment; it was one of the first Gulf States to provide state unemployment benefits, and the country charges no personal income tax. Moreover, employers are required to provide a wide range of benefits to foreign workers, including housing and free flights home every year. Combine these facts with Bahrain’s numerous educational opportunities, ranging from primary schools to universities, many offering a variety of international curricula, and it becomes easy to see why foreigners comprise almost 30% of Bahrain’s population.
Arabic and English are co-official in Bahrain. Gulf Arabic is the dialect most commonly spoken by Bahrainis, although, as in other Arab countries, Standard Arabic is used in writing. Persian, or Farsi, is also spoken by some inhabitants, in a dialect heavily influenced by Arabic. English is widely used in business and by the country’s immigrant population, who have also brought their native languages to Bahrain. The most common of these include Hindi, Balochi, Urdu, and Malayalam.
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US Department of State: Bahrain Country-Specific Information
Bangladesh
The People’s Republic of Bangladesh is located in South Asia, almost completely surrounded by India, with a small border with Burma in the southeast. One of the world’s most densely populated countries, it is an emerging democracy with an increasingly prominent role in global economics.
A young state with an ancient culture, Bangladesh bears remnants of human settlement dating back 4,000 years. Numerous Bangladeshi kingdoms have risen to regional power, and several great empires have left their mark on the nation as well. Bangladesh was ruled by the Mughals when the British East India company gained power over the country in 1757. As a British colony, Bangladesh was part of the Indian state of Bengal, which was divided along religious lines during the British withdrawal from the region in 1947. The Hindu-majority western portion of the country remained an Indian state, while the east, with a primarily Muslim population, became East Pakistan. But political, cultural, and economic divisions created popular discontent through the next several decades; this culminated with Bangladesh declaring its independence in 1971, which it won nine months later with military assistance from India. A series of coups and counter-coups took place in the ensuing years. General Hossain Mohammad Ershad established a stable government in 1982, and democracy was restored in 1990. Since then, although often heated, politics has for the most part been at least non-violent.
Bangladesh has made many strides forward in the past century; among those often cited are literacy rate growth, slowing of population growth, and gender equality (since the reestablishment of democracy, government has been dominated by the rivalry between Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, both women). However, the country also faces a variety of problems, including overpopulation, environmental degradation, and income distribution. Although the economy has experienced consistently high growth rates, the sheer size of the population complicates efforts to achieve full employment. Leading export industries include jute, tea, garments, and light manufacturing, but the majority of Bangladeshis remain employed in agriculture, including subsistence. In addition, much of the country’s land is only a few meters above sea level; while this has helped create some exciting natural features, including the world’s longest beach and largest mangrove forest, it also makes Bangladesh very sensitive to natural disasters, including cyclones, tornadoes, and floods.
Foreigners are a fairly rare sight in Bangladesh, especially outside of Dhaka and other large cities. Nevertheless, the country offers numerous cultural and natural attractions, from beach resorts to ancient monastic ruins. Aside from business professionals, there are a wide variety of humanitarian opportunities in Bangladesh, both for paid workers and volunteers. Native English teachers are also highly valued.
Bengali is by far the most widely spoken of Bangladesh’s 38 languages. It is also the second most widely spoken language in India, and its unique writing system will likely provide an extra challenge for those not already familiar with it. Travelers should probably begin study early, as a large number of Bangladeshis have limited or no understanding of English.
Links
Country Info:
National Web Portal of Bangladesh
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bangladesh
US Department of State: Bangladesh Country-Specific Information
Barbados
Barbados is an island nation in the western Atlantic. It is one of the more populous and prosperous countries in the Lesser Antilles, with consistently high human development and literacy rankings.
Like many Caribbean countries, the history of Barbados is marked by successive waves of settlement. The Salodoid-Barrancoid civilization first migrated to the island sometime around the fourth century BCE; the Arawak peoples who at one time inhabited much of the region arrived several centuries later, and both were eventually displaced by the Caribs. Barbados’ modern name was given by Portuguese explorers in the mid-1500s; however, British settlers in the 17th century would have the most lasting cultural impact on the island, which still today enjoys the nickname “Little England” among its neighbors. As a colony, Barbados was known primarily for its sugar plantations, fueled by West African slave labor. The difficult conditions of laborers, and widespread racial disparities even among free Barbadians, led to a massive slave rebellion in 1816, which contributed to the abolishment of slavery in the British Empire in 1834. The movement for Barbadian independence gained momentum over the ensuing decades, and in 1958 the country took a leading role in the West Indies Federation; Barbados continued to work peacefully for independence after this organization dissolved, and became a sovereign state and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1966.
Since independence, Barbados has successfully diversified its economy, reducing reliance on the sugarcane industry while cultivating light manufacturing, offshore finance, and information services. Transportation is quite well developed, and the island’s Sir Grantley Adams International Airport serves as a hub for the region. Agriculture and tourism benefit significantly from the country’s location at the far eastern edge of the Caribbean sea, outside the range of most hurricanes and tropical storms; visitors to the island, drawn by its natural beauty, welcoming citizens, and abundance of duty-free shopping, consistently outnumber its 279,000 inhabitants.
Barbados has a long history of immigration; 90% of Barbadians (or Bajans, as they are known locally) are of African descent, but there are numerous minority communities with roots in China, South Asia, the British Isles, Latin America, and the Middle East. According to some sources, the island is one of the top destinations for emigrants from Guyana. Many expatriates are drawn from neighboring countries by business and job opportunities, and the island is an attractive retirement and vacation home destination among wealthy North Americans and Western Europeans. Barbados also has a well-developed, English-language education system, and is an ideal place for foreigners hoping to devote serious study to Caribbean culture.
English is the official language of Barbados, and with a literacy rate of over 99%, most travelers with a good command of British English will have no trouble getting around. The local Creole, called Bajan, contains many influences from West African languages, and learning a few phrases of it may provide some entertainment during your travels. Hindi, spoken by the Indo-Bajan community, is the largest minority language.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
US Department of State: Barbados Country-Specific Information
Belarus
The Republic of Belarus is located in Eastern Europe, bordering Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Ukraine. Independent since 1990, this country is known for its pristine landscape of virgin forests and rolling green plains, and the staunch efforts of its citizens to maintain their cultural identity.
Although the region was settled in the 6th century, an independent, uniquely Belarusian state would not come into existence for another 1400 years. In this early period, the territory of modern Belarus and surrounding areas were settled by Slavic tribes and Varangians, or Easter Vikings, who founded the state of Kievan Rus’ in 862–the precursor to modern Russia. As Kievan Rus’ declined in the 11th century, Belarus was absorbed first by Lithuania, then the Russian Empire, who demarcated its present borders and officially established its name. The people of Belarus took advantage of German occupation during World War I to form the short-lived Belarusian People’s Republic, which fell to the Soviet Red Army after only ten months of independence in 1919. Its territory was divided during the Polish-Soviet War of 1921, and invaded once again by Germany during World War II; Belarus was among the hardest hit of the Soviet republics in this war, suffering tremendous infrastructural damage and casualties estimated at at least one quarter of the population. After Germany’s defeat, it was reabsorbed as a constituent Soviet republic, and Russian leaders instituted a policy of Sovietization to encourage the spread of the Russian language and culture in Belarus. This only provided further impetus to the cause of Belarusian nationalist groups, who gained steam in the late 1980s. Amid the wave of Eastern Bloc independence movements in 1990, Belarus held elections and declared itself a sovereign republic.
Belarus benefits from heavy industrial development implemented during the Soviet era. After independence, it was the most prosperous of the CIS states for a time; although it suffered a downturn in subsequent years, it has recently entered a period of high growth, and benefits from low unemployment and a high literacy rate. Nevertheless, many Western governments and NGOs accuse the country of restrictive internal economic policies and a low level of human rights and political freedoms, resulting from the continuance of Soviet-era policies by Alexander Lukashenko, president since 1994. This has strained Belarus’ foreign relations, and consequently inhibited its international trade. It enjoys close ties with Russia, and has long-term goals of forging a political union with its neighbor, but has so far made little progress in this arena.
Travelers to Belarus face numerous bureaucratic hurdles, as the government is quite concerned with the possibility of political dissidence and foreign interference in its affairs. Hence, NGO work is practically out of the question. Paid positions seem to be rare as well. However, there are several good universities in the country, with a few particularly good options for Russian language study. Students are sure to enjoy Belarus’ numerous cultural festivals, as well as the low prices relative to the West.
Russian is, ironically, the more widely-spoken of Belarus’ two official languages. Around 30% of the population speak Belarusian, a knowledge of which might come in handy for travelers who like to stray from the beaten path.
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Country Info:
BBC News Country Profiles: Belarus
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Linguaguide: Russian Resources
Wikipedia: Belarusian Language
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US Department of State: Belarus Country-Specific Information
Belgium
For its small size, Belgium packs a large population and variety of cultures. One of the world’s first industrialized nations, it maintains an important role in international trade and politics as the headquarters of the European Union, NATO, and a host of other organizations.
Belgium derives its name from Gallia Belgica, the name the Romans gave its territory after conquering it in the first century BCE. A less flattering moniker, “the battlefield of Europe”, reflects its history as a prize fought over by various European powers. The Merovingians, the Burgundians, and the Spanish and Austrian branches of the Hapsburg family have all ruled Belgium at different times, which, along with its position as a crossroads between Germanic and Latin Europe, have encouraged the development of a diverse Belgian population. The modern Kingdom of Belgium was founded in 1830, after attaining independence from France; it comprises the Francophone region of Wallonia in the south, Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north, and the East Cantons, a small region populated by German speakers. It quickly became a wealthy state, due to the rapid development of industry in Wallonia. The 20th century was a time of change in Belgium, as the country struggled with the aftermath of occupation during both World Wars, the dissolution of its colonial empire in Africa, and uneven economic growth favoring Flanders. This has caused a measure of internal conflict, with some analysts even positing the dissolution of Belgium, despite repeated reassurances from the country’s government.
Belgium benefits from well-developed infrastructure and a location among some of the world’s largest economies, as well as strong regional and international ties. It is the world’s 15th largest trader, and ranks among the world’s top countries in education, health care, and human development. Culturally, Belgians make a sharp distinction between Flanders and Wallonia, but each has a lot to offer. The country has a huge number of traditional folk festivals relative to other European nations, as well as numerous concerts, both classical and popular. Regardless of personal taste, travelers are sure to appreciate Belgian cuisine; famous for chocolate and waffles, Belgium is also, oddly enough, the home of the French fry, and some of the most spectacular beers in the world. Whatever else is on your itinerary, do not forget to stop for a Duvel or the aptly-named Delirium Tremens.
Aside from other European countries, Morocco and Turkey provide the largest numbers of immigrants to Belgium. Work options are comparable to other developed Western nations, but jobs are more plentiful in Flanders. High taxes are made up for by the excellent quality of social services, and travel is both easy and inexpensive–backpackers and hitchhikers in particular will appreciate Belgium. Several great universities are present, and the cities of Ghent and Louvain-la-Neuve have a strong student culture.
Bilingualism (at least) is practically required for job-seekers in Belgium, but the country’s three official languages are seldom used outside their respective ranges. The local varieties of French and Dutch (or Flemish, colloquially) differ slightly from those of France and The Netherlands, but are mutually intelligible. If this weren’t confusing enough, Belgium is also home to several minority languages, including Walloon and Picard. Study hard!
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Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
US Department of State: Belgium Country-Specific Information
Belize
Belize is a Central American anomaly, as the only English-speaking country in the region. The breathtaking natural and cultural diversity of this former British colony attract thousands of tourists each year.
Belize was first settled by the Mopan Maya around the 16th century BCE. Although their civilization had been in decline for approximately 500 years when the first Spaniards arrived in the 1500s, they still maintained a strong enough presence to resist Spanish colonization attempts. This allowed British settlers to gain a foothold in the country, who built up the local economy on dye and, later, mahogany production. Because Great Britain feared that a heavy hand in Belizean affairs might prompt an attack by the Spanish, Belize long enjoyed a high degree of autonomy; however, following Spanish defeat in the Battle of St. George’s Caye, Britain took an increasingly direct role in the country’s administration, formally colonizing it in 1862. The colony enjoyed a few economic growth spurts in the late 1800s and during World War II, but was largely stagnant due to the effects of the Great Depression, natural disasters, and a monopoly on the mahogany trade by the Belize Estate and Produce Company. These conditions led to a push for independence, which was hampered by Guatemala issuing a claim of sovereignty over Belize. The country finally became an independent Commonwealth monarchy in 1981, and has since normalized relations with Guatemala.
Belize still has a small economy, focused primarily on agriculture; however, the discovery of crude oil could provide hope of a more affluent Belize in the future. Tourism has grown to become an important industry as well. Belize is home to many fascinating Mayan ruins, including Altun Ha and Xunantunich, and cyclists the world over come to participate in the Cross Country Cycling Classic, whose founder, Monrad Metzgen, is regarded as a national hero. Moreover, the country is an ecotourism paradise; hundreds of offshore islands and the world’s second largest coral reef system make for fascinating diving and sailing, and with only 20% of the land used by humans, Belize offers plenty of unspoiled wetlands, savanna, and forest to explore.
Of course, the downside of English being the official language is that, unlike in many other countries, expats won’t be able to rely on English teaching for easy employment. A high unemployment rate makes jobs in other fields equally difficult to land for non-Belizeans. Volunteer opportunities are plentiful, however; the Peace Corps has been active in Belize for over thirty years, and numerous other US organizations are present as well, most of whom work primarily in education.
Although most Belizeans have at least a fair grasp of standard English, it is the first language of only about 5% of the population. Kriol, a mixture of English and African languages, is the lingua franca of Belize, and is a strong component of the national identity. Spanish is the first language of over 40% of Belizeans, and is widely spoken as a second language as well. Minority languages include Maya, Garifuna, and Plautdietsch.
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Country Info:
Government of Belize – Official Website
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Wikipedia: Belizean Kriol Language
Linguaguide: Spanish Resources
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Benin
Benin is a West African nation located between Togo and Nigeria on the Atlantic Coast. Its relatively peaceful transition from colonialism to democracy has led many to cite it as a political model for the continent.
Benin was originally known as Dahomey, which was first used as the name of a powerful kingdom that arose in the region during the 17th century. The Kingdom of Dahomey invited comparisons to ancient Sparta for its military traditions, including an elite, all-female fighting corps called the Mino, or Dahomean Amazons. Its conquest of surrounding areas provided it with large numbers of war captives, which the country turned into wealth through the Atlantic Slave Trade; however, it eventually waned in power, possibly through the antagonism of neighboring tribes, and was subsumed into the French West Africa colony in 1899. A mere 60 years later the country regained independence, but faced a long period of political turmoil that ended in the 1972 coup of Marxist leader Mathieu Kérékou, who gave Benin its present name. After his closed-market policies led to an economic collapse in the 1980s, Kérékou gradually introduced capitalist and democratic reforms, and following elections in 1991 became the first sub-Saharan African dictator to peacefully surrender power to a democratically elected successor, Nicéphore Soglo.
Despite its political progressivism, Benin’s economy remains largely underdeveloped, with recent growth having been offset by rapid population increase. Agriculture remains the largest industry and primary source of exports; a substantial portion of the population are engaged in subsistence agriculture, and there is a large informal economy operating outside government regulation. The government has several plans to deal with these problems, with programs to attract investment and technology, renovate the agriculture sector, and promote tourism.
Benin has a lot to see, including wildlife parks, beach resorts, and the historic Dahomean capital of Abomey. With over 42 different ethnic groups present within its borders, a trip to Benin is sure to be an eye-opening experience. Most migration takes place within a regional context, but there is a sizeable community of non-African expatriates as well, many of whom work with aid missions, NGOs, and volunteer organizations. Although far from crime-free, Benin is one of the safest countries in the region for travelers, and is a great place to experience the cultural diversity and natural beauty of Africa.
French is the official language of Benin, but is not taught in schools until the secondary level, and seldom used outside of cities. Over 50 languages are current in this small country; the most common ones are Fon and Yoruba in the south, where the majority of the population live, and Bariba and Dendi in the north. Travelers are advised to find out what languages are spoken in the areas they plan on visiting, and learn at least a few phrases in several of them. In addition, speakers of Yoruba, Fon, and other African languages should be aware that spelling in Benin may differ from that in other countries, and brush up on the local orthography before departing.
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National Geographic: Benin Facts
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Benin Embassy in the United States
Bhutan
The Kingdom of Bhutan is an adventurer’s dream. Hidden in the Himalayas between India and Tibet, this isolated and practically crime-free nation is fiercely devoted to maintaining its ancient cultural heritage, earning the nickname “The Last Shangri-La”.
Bhutan was first inhabited as long ago as 2000 BCE. Buddhism was first introduced into the country in the third century BCE, and has had a tremendous formative impact on Bhutanese culture. The modern state of Bhutan consolidated from a number of feudal fiefdoms in the 1700s. Two wars and several border skirmishes were fought between the new kingdom and British India in the 18th and 19th century, but Bhutan was never colonized, although it was nominally subjected to British and, later, Indian suzerainty. The late 1800s saw a series of civil wars and rebellions, following which Ugyen Wangchuck ascended to the throne, founding the current dynasty of Bhutan. Successive monarchs have gradually instituted democratic reforms and modernization, culminating in the country’s first parliamentary elections in 2007 and 2008 under the auspices of the new king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, currently the world’s youngest reigning monarch at age 28. Bhutan experienced some violence in the 1980s and 90s surrounding the forced deportation of illegal Nepali immigrants and reports of persecution of ethnic Nepali citizens by the royal administration; aside from this, the country has mostly been known for internal and external tranquility.
Bhutan’s economy had the world’s second fastest growth rate in 2007; nevertheless, it remains one of the world’s smallest, and is dominated by agriculture, forestry, tourism, and hydroelectric power. Bhutanese leaders have responded to disparaging reports of their country’s per capita income by insisting on a domestic policy based on Gross National Happiness. This somewhat nebulous term, coined by former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, defines a country’s success in terms of cultural, environmental, and democratic progress, rather than purely fiscal concerns. While it remains problematic as a quantitative measurement, GNH’s success as a policy approach is clear; independent studies consistently rank Bhutan’s people among the happiest in the world.
Getting into Bhutan can be troublesome, as one is required to have pre-booked a tourist package or received an invitation from a citizen or organization in Bhutan; therefore, anyone hoping to move to Bhutan must begin looking for work before leaving. Paid positions may be scarce, except in old standards like English teaching, but Bhutan has a long tradition of volunteerism, and opportunities are plentiful. Most visitors are confined to guided bus tours, so arranging a long-term stay is a great way to experience this beautiful country of ancient monasteries, quaint villages, and awe-inspiring scenery in a way that few tourists can.
The national language is Dzongkha, a distant relative of Tibetan, written with the classical Tibetan script. It is the first language of approximately one quarter of Bhutanese; about 24 others are also spoken, many of which have received little academic attention. English is the language of education, and Nepali is spoken by about 25% of the population, concentrated in the south.
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List of Bhutanese Embassies Abroad
Bolivia
One of the few countries with a majority Native American population, Bolivia is a landlocked country situated between Brazil, Chile, Peru, Paraguay, and Argentina. Its isolated location among the Andes mountains has earned it the nickname “the Tibet of the Americas”.
Bolivia was originally known as Upper Peru during the colonial period, when its silver deposits made it a valuable possession of the Spanish Empire. The country gained its name from Simón Bolivar, the revolutionary leader who liberated much of South America from Spain, including Bolivia. The 19th century was marked by a series of border wars with its neighbors, and despite increasing prosperity from trade in the early 1900s, poor living conditions among Bolivian natives became a source of political instability. Several coups d’état took place during the 20th century, fueled by labor disputes, government corruption, and problems dealing with illegal coca production.
Although rich in natural resources, including tin, silver, and natural gas, Bolivia’s economy is one of the poorest in South America and is heavily dependent on foreign assistance. The country was severely damaged by the drop in tin prices in the 1980s and a withdrawal of aid following the end of the Cold War, and is consistently impeded by lack of development and governmental stability. Nevertheless, it exhibits great long-term potential, with South America’s second largest natural gas reserves and an export-driven mining industry. Membership in the Andes Community provides a favorable environment for the development of investment and international trade. Although hampered by the absence of necessary infrastructure and accommodations comparable to those found in other countries, tourism has grown slowly in the past 15 years. With Bolivia’s vast wealth of natural beauty and unique blend of cultures, this could become a major industry in the future, and now attracts a few thousand visitors per year, mostly of the rugged, ecotourist type.
Bolivia once experienced significant immigration, and communities of the descendants of emigrants from Spain, Italy, Yugoslavia, and Japan are still found in the country. Today, however, the migration rate is low. Most expatriates who visit Bolivia do so to experience its vibrant indigenous culture and breathtaking scenery, and low prices make it easy to save up enough for an extended stay. Volunteering with one of the many development and environmental organizations in Bolivia is a great way to participate in your host country’s community. Bolivia is also becoming an attractive destination for international Spanish students, owing to the easy-to-understand local accent, and there are a variety of quality language programs available.
Bolivia’s official languages are Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Quechua, once the language of the Inca Empire, is spoken in the Andes region, alongside Spanish; it is the most widely spoken indigenous American language today. Aymara is common in eastern Bolivia. A fourth language, Guaraní, is spoken in the southeast. There are around 30 minority languages that are co-official at the local level; Spanish fluency is rare in rural areas, so make sure to learn a few phrases in the local language before venturing outside the city.
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Country Info:
National Geographic: Bolivia Facts
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Linguaguide: Spanish Resources
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Bolivia Web: List of Bolivian Embassies and Consulates
US Department of State: Bolivia Country-Specific Information
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