A version of the flag was first adopted on July 25, 1826, but on Nov. 5, 1851, the order of the stripes was changed to red-yellow-green. The colors were often used by the Aymara and Quechua peoples; in addition, red is for the valor of the army, yellow for mineral resources, and green for the land. The current flag law dates from July 14, 1888.

Bolivia Official name: República de Bolivia (Republic of Bolivia). Form of government: unitary multiparty republic with two legislative houses (Chamber of Senators [27]; Chamber of Deputies [130]). Head of state and government: President. Population (1998): 7,957,000. Population projection: (2000) 8,329,000; (2010) 10,229,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1997): 24.3 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (at current market prices; 1996): U.S.$6,302,000,000 (U.S.$830 per capita). Land use (1994): forested 53.5%; meadows and pastures 24.4%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation 2.2%; other 19.9%.

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