Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/762

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BOLIVIA

The value of imports and exports for five years are given as follows (12 - 5 bolivianos = 11):—

-

1915

1916

1917

1918

1919

Imports Exports

£ 1,805,965 7,610,828

£

2,487,857 8,118,684

£ 2,678,466 12,619,844

£

2,723,744 14,211,116

£

4,824,671 11,225,709

The values of imports (dutiable and duty-free) are determined according to the appraisement in force ; those of exports, by declarations of the exporters, based on current prices at the place and time. Customs receipts in 1918 : 16,151,025 bolivianos.

Of the exports the United Kingdom took 49 per cent, in 1919, the United States 41 per cent., and the remaining 10 per cent, was distributed be- tween France, Chile, and other countries. The United Kingdom took 70 per cent, of the tin exports.

Total trade between U.K. and Bolivia (Board of Trade figures) for 5 years : —

-

1916

1917

£

2,382,749

461,264

1918

£■

3,596,887 882,039

1919 1920

Imports from Bolivia to U.K. Exports to Bolivia from U.K..

£

1,129,751 293,431

£ £ 3,442,491 ! 1,931,203 550,665 •■ 747,296

i

In July, 1912, a Commercial Treaty was ratified between Great Britain and Bolivia. (Signed August, 1911.)

Communications.

In 1918 the total length of line open in Bolivia was 1,354 miles, including the new line, opened in July, 1917, from Ornro to Cochabamba. Under construction 354 miles. The principal line is the Antofagasta and Bolivian Railway, from Antofagasta, on the Pacific coast, to OUague, thence to Oruro, thence to Viacha, thence to La Paz (735 miles). Under the Bolivian-Chilian treaty of October 24, 1904, the Arica-La Paz line (271 milds, of which 143 miles are in Bolivia) was built from La Paz via Lluta with Taregra and to Corocoro. The Bolivian section was handed over to the government of Bolivia on May 3, 1913. The Pan-American Railroad follows the shore line of Lake Titicaca from Guaqui to Viacha, and thence to the Argentine border by way of Uyuni, Tupiza, and La Quiaca, a total distance in Bolivia of 529 miles, of which 361 iire already in operation.

Traffic on Lake Titicaca and on the Bolivian rivers is carried on by steamers, which belong to private owners.

There are about 2,304 miles of cart roads connecting the more important towns.

In Bolivia there were 427 post offices in 1919, number of pieces of mail handled, 6,649,967. The postal expenses amounted to 595,942 and the receipts to 280,593 bolivianos.

There are about 4,000 miles of telegraph lines. All the departmental capitals are connected by telegraph. There is telegraphic communication with foreign countries by the lines of the Central and South American