ABSTRACT
Bolivia is a landlocked state between Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru. The Bolivian GDP per capita is similar to that of Suriname and is the lowest in South America. At the same time, it became a major world exporter of tin, an important strategic metal. The tin era and effective rule by the tin barons continued until well after World War II. Agricultural reform and universal suffrage were introduced and the tin industry was nationalized. Throughout most of the modern era, Bolivias relations with Chile and Peru have been strongly influenced by the desire to regain access to the Pacific which was lost to Chile as a result of the War of the Pacific. The major geopolitical issue has been the question of access to a Pacific port, the apparent solution with its problem, a measure of stability should characterise Bolivias foreign relations. The coca eradication programme continues to cause conflict and there were violent protests in 1998.
