Bolivia is often called the "Tibet of the Americas" for its Nepalese-like culture, people and geography. Once home to an Incan empire, this country contains the Andes Mountains, Amazon River, tropical rainforests, grasslands, and the famous Lake Titicaca. Bolivia is a land-locked nation in South America and is bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru.

The city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra was founded by Nuflo de Chavez on February 26, 1560. Chavez named the new city in honor of his beloved native city in Extremadura, Spain. The city originally lay 220 km east of its current location, on the shores of the Pirai river. But, by the end of the 16th century, the city was moved to its present position, 50 km east of the Cordillera Oriental foothills.