FBZ's Fast Flights

In my "virtual travels", I am constantly on the hunt for beautiful, exotic, and challenging places to fly and explore. This fast flight takes us to the spectacular country of Bolivia, in South America. We start our journey in La Paz, at El Alto Intl airport (SLLP). be prepared for some high altitude flying, in other words, watch your fuel mixtures! El Alto sits right on the edge of the Andes mountain range, and is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world! I know I say that about just about everywhere I fly, so I guess that must mean we live on a very special chunk of dirt!!!

Political instability, coups, countercoups and rewritten constitutions were commonplace, as numerous leaders tried to reform the country. In the late 1800s, civilian governments came into power, and for almost fifty years Bolivia was able to enjoy relative political stability; its economy improved for all but the indigenous Indians. Then, after losing a regional war with Paraguay in 1935, in which it lost much of it original territories, military control returned and a long series of military governments controlled the country till 1982, when the country again returned to a democratically elected form of government. Today, though reform is in the air, it remains one of the poorest and least developed countries in South America, and dependent on foreign aid. On the real positive side, this marvelous land of natural beauty has vast quantities of untapped, gas, gold, oil and silver deposits, as well as a large palette of colorful attractions for all travelers.lake Titicaca is nearby, along with plenty of waterways to use those float planes sitting in your hanger. There is something new and beautiful to see over every mountain range! the Andes are truly a spectacular site to see, and the area offers a wealth of exploration opportunities! Have fun exploring! FBZ...

Here's a little information on the Bolivia, a mini-geography lesson if you will!

The history of Bolivia is ancient and is part of the great Andean Empires of the Aymara civilization. This culture, which in itself was quite powerful, was conqured by the Incas at the end of the 15th century.

The Spanish showed up in the 16th century, and with their thirst for gold and silver, the Incas were defeated, changing the face of Bolivia forever. Spain rule for 300 years, and forced the indians to work the mines. The silver mines they discovered at Potosi proved to be the largest ever in the western hemisphere.
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-fought freedom in 1825.