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Bolivia Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in Bolivia's history.
00–900
The Tiahuanaco (tee-a-wa-na-ko) civilization flourishes in the Altiplano region.1200
The land now known as Bolivia comes under the control of native people called the Aymara.1438–1532
The Incas expand beyond their vast empire. It extends from Peru to Bolivia.1538
Spain invades and conquers the area.
DEA/M. See Muller - Getty Images
1824–1825
Antonio José de Sucre and Simón Bolívar free the land from Spanish rule. It becomes an independent nation and is named Bolivia in honor of Bolívar. Sucre becomes the nation’s first elected president.1879–1883
Bolivia and Chile go to war. Bolivia becomes landlocked when it loses its only coastal territory to Chile.1932–1935
Bolivia and Paraguay fight the Chaco War for control over territory that is believed to be rich in oil. Paraguay gains most of the land, but no oil is found.
Dimitri Kessel - Time & Life Pictures/ Getty Images
1952
Victor Paz Estenssoro becomes president of Bolivia. He gives native people the right to vote. Paz Estenssoro is elected president three more times, in 1960, 1964, and 1985.1971
Colonel Hugo Banzer Suárez overthrows the government. In 1978, he is driven from power. But he is elected president in 1997.2001
After nearly a month of heavy rains, the government declares about half the country a natural disaster area.
Paul O'Driscoll - Getty Images