How was Bolivia named?

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. read more

Bolivia (/ b ə ˈ l ɪ v i ə / ( listen); Spanish: ; Guarani: Mborivia [ᵐboˈɾiʋja]; Quechua: Buliwya; Aymara: Wuliwya), officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia (Spanish: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia), is a landlocked country located in western-central South America. read more

In 1809, the "Liberator," Simon Bolivar (Bolivia's namesake) began the battle for independence, and after the Spanish defeat in 1824, Bolivia finally gained its hard-fough freedom in 1825. From the Encyclopaedia Britannica Online: In recognition of Bolívar's support, congressional leaders named the new republic Bolivia in his honour. read more

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. read more