Bolivia at its true size

Bolivia covers 1,098,581 km², number 29 of 235 by area. Home to 12,581,843 people (2025). Sitting near the equator, it is one of the few places Mercator gets almost right.

Equal-area projection · Natural Earth 50m
Area1,098,581 km² Wikidata
Population12,581,843 World Bank, 2025
Density11 per km²
CapitalLa Paz
RegionSouth America, South America
StatusIndependent state
CoastLandlocked
CodesBO · BOL · 068

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How many times does Bolivia fit into…

Neighbours

Questions about Bolivia

How big is Bolivia?
Bolivia covers 1,098,581 km², which makes it number 29 of 235 countries and territories by area. About 12,581,843 people live there (2025), 11 per km².
Is Bolivia bigger than Ethiopia?
Bolivia and Ethiopia are almost exactly the same size. Bolivia: 1,098,581 km²; Ethiopia: 1,104,300 km².
How much does the Mercator map distort Bolivia?
Bolivia lies close to the equator, so Mercator draws it at nearly its true size. It is the countries far from the equator that Mercator inflates.
Which countries border Bolivia?
Bolivia shares a land border with Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Paraguay.