List of Bolivia Departments and Capitals - Departments in Bolivia

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026

Bolivia is divided into nine departments (departamentos) and one autonomous territory. Here is a list of the departments in Bolivia:

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America, bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The country is divided into 9 departments, and those departments are further divided into provinces and municipalities for local administration. Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia, while La Paz serves as the seat of government and the largest metropolitan area in the country.

Bolivia has some of the most varied landscapes in South America, ranging from the high Andes mountains and the Altiplano plateau to tropical rainforests and lowland plains in the east. Indigenous cultures remain deeply connected to daily life, language, traditions, and regional identity across the departments.

Key Facts

  • National capital: Sucre (constitutional), La Paz (seat of government)
  • Total population: 12,388,571 (Official estimate 2024)
  • Total area: 1,098,581 km² (424,164 sq miles)
  • Currency: Boliviano (Bs., BOB)
  • Bordering countries: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru
  • Total Departments: 9
  • Total Provinces: 112

List of Departments and Capitals of Bolivia

Total departments shown: 9 | Combined population: 12,388,571 | Combined area: 1,098,581 km²

#Department NameCapital CityRegionArea (km²)Population (Latest Census)
1BeniTrinidadNortheast Lowlands213,564507,000
2ChuquisacaSucreSouth Central Highlands51,524671,000
3CochabambaCochabambaCentral Valleys55,6312,005,000
4La PazLa PazWestern Highlands133,9853,022,566
5OruroOruroAltiplano53,588570,000
6PandoCobijaNorth Amazon63,827154,000
7PotosíPotosíSouthern Highlands118,218856,000
8Santa CruzSanta Cruz de la SierraEastern Lowlands370,6213,364,000
9TarijaTarijaSouth37,6231,239,005

Largest Departments by Area

  • Santa Cruz - 143,097 sq mi (370,621 km²)
  • Beni - 82,457 sq mi (213,564 km²)
  • La Paz - 51,732 sq mi (133,985 km²)
  • Potosí - 45,644 sq mi (118,218 km²)
  • Pando - 24,644 sq mi (63,827 km²)
  • Cochabamba - 21,479 sq mi (55,631 km²)
  • Oruro - 20,690 sq mi (53,588 km²)
  • Chuquisaca - 19,893 sq mi (51,524 km²)

Most Populous Departments

  • Santa Cruz - Population: 3,364,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • La Paz - Population: 3,022,566 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Cochabamba - Population: 2,005,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Tarija - Population: 1,239,005 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Potosí - Population: 856,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Chuquisaca - Population: 671,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Oruro - Population: 570,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Beni - Population: 507,000 (Official Estimate 2024)

Smallest Departments by Area

  • Tarija - 14,526 sq mi (37,623 km²)
  • Chuquisaca - 19,893 sq mi (51,524 km²)
  • Oruro - 20,690 sq mi (53,588 km²)
  • Cochabamba - 21,479 sq mi (55,631 km²)
  • Pando - 24,644 sq mi (63,827 km²)
  • Potosí - 45,644 sq mi (118,218 km²)

Departments by Regional Grouping

  • Western Highlands: La Paz
  • Altiplano: Oruro
  • Southern Highlands: Potosí
  • South Central Highlands: Chuquisaca
  • Central Valleys: Cochabamba
  • South: Tarija
  • Eastern Lowlands: Santa Cruz
  • Northeast Lowlands: Beni
  • North Amazon: Pando

Landlocked Departments

  • All 9 departments of Bolivia are landlocked because the country has no coastline.

Departments with Coastline

  • None - Bolivia is a landlocked country.

Departments Sharing Borders with Other Countries

  • Brazil: Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz
  • Paraguay: Santa Cruz, Tarija
  • Argentina: Tarija, Potosí
  • Chile: La Paz, Oruro, Potosí
  • Peru: La Paz, Pando

Sources