A new historical period begins.A country of statistical extremes, land-locked Bolivia (424,164 sq miles) is the highest and most isolated country in South America South America, fourth largest continent (1991 est. pop. 299,150,000), c.6,880,000 sq mi (17,819,000 sq km), the southern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. . It has the largest proportion of indigenous people, who make up around two-thirds of the population (9 million), and is the world's largest producer of tin and home to the second largest reserves of natural gas in the continent. Though rich in mineral and energy resources, Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America. Whereas wealthy city elites, who are mostly of Spanish ancestry, have traditionally dominated political and economic life, the majority of Bolivians are low-income subsistence farmers, miners, small traders Small Trader An options or futures investor holding or controlling a single position below the required reporting levels. Notes: The reporting level for each option or futures contract is set by the CFTC and individual exchanges. or artisans. It is in this context that a Socialist politician Eve Morales, a figurehead figurehead, carved decoration usually representing a head or figure placed under the bowsprit of a ship. The art is of extreme antiquity. Ancient galleys and triremes carried rostrums, or beaks, on the bow to ram enemy vessels. for Bolivia's coca farmers, won the presidential elections in December 2005. He is the first indigenous Bolivian to do so. He described himself as the candidate "of the most disdained and discriminated against". His victory was decisive; he surpassed the figure needed to take office without the need for a vote in Congress. Much of his support came from Bolivia's indigenous majority A few months later, in June 2006, he claimed victory in elections for a new assembly which will rewrite the constitution. He has campaigned for a new constitution to enshrine en·shrine also in·shrine tr.v. en·shrined, en·shrin·ing, en·shrines 1. To enclose in or as if in a shrine. 2. To cherish as sacred. the party's nationalisation n. 1. same as nationalization. Noun 1. nationalisation - the action of forming or becoming a nation nationalization group action - action taken by a group of people 2. and land redistribution programme. Mr Morales has pledged to increase state control over the natural gas industry, but has said that he will not expropriate ex·pro·pri·ate tr.v. ex·pro·pri·at·ed, ex·pro·pri·at·ing, ex·pro·pri·ates 1. To deprive of possession: expropriated the property owners who lived in the path of the new highway. the property of energy firms. In placing the energy industry under state control in May 2006, he declared that "the pillage PILLAGE. The taking by violence of private property by a victorious army from the citizens or subjects of the enemy. This, in modern times, is seldom allowed, and then, only when authorized by the commander or chief officer, at the place where the pillage is committed. of our natural resources by foreign companies is over". His policies in other areas too look set to inflame opinion. In particular, a promise to relax restrictions on growing coca, the raw material for cocaine, could make him a thorn in the side of the US, which has bankrolled the fight against drugs in the country. Mr Morales defends the traditional uses of the coca leaf among the indigenous population. His government is seeking to exploit commercial and medicinal uses for the leaves. |
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