SEKINO'S REPORT
BOLIVIA HIGHLANDS & PLAINS
Lake Titicaca and the land irrigated by its outflow are together called the Altiplano (High Plateau). The Tihuanaco civilizations once flourished on the shore of Lake Titicaca. At present there are extensive irrigation facilities, the land is cultivated, and the population density is high. Bolivia has the highest proportion of Native Americans in its population, even among the countries of Central and South America; in 1994 the aboriginal Aimara tribe, became Vice-President. There are also members of the Aimara tribe who are important industrialists. However, many of the native people still live humble lives as did their ancestors in ancient times.

Meanwhile, in the south most of the water has evaporated, forming salt lakes and salt plains. The forms of nature and the lakes are colorful, and a landscape out of a painting stretches on for many miles. The dryness is extreme, and the air becomes extremely cold at night. In addition, the soil is high in salt content and is unsuitable for agriculture. Sheep, alpaca and llama graze on the range. In the vicinty of the Argentine and Chilean borders, there are no roads worthy of the name, and even grazing of livestock is impossible. The only economic activity is small mines in part of this region, where miners dig for sulphur and other minerals.

Bolivia, called Yunga domestically, has a temperate climate. Population is approximately 800, composed mostly of those of African descent. In the 16th century, many Africans were brought here as slaves to work in the Potosi silver mines. However, many of them could not adapt to the high elevation and the cold climate, and so their Caucasian masters decided to move them to the warmer Yunga region and work them in the fields. Their descendants live in the Yunga region to this day. Their population is said to be 17,000.

Also, agriculture in the Yunga regions is known for the production of coca. Coca is a strong crop that is rarely attacked by disease. They will not grow substitute crops. Coca has been used by the people who work at high altitudes of Bolivia.

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