Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mining operations in the Altiplano. Today the rivers of the lower Yungas are ravaged by
hordes of wildcat prospectors and bigger mining outfits.
Coca - and cocaine - have also played a central role in the development of the region's
modern economy. The Yungas' coca has been cultivated since pre-Columbian times, and
much of Bolivia's legal production (up to 12,000 hectares) takes place here. In the early
days of Morales' presidency, national coca production grew from 24,500 hectares in 2006
to around 31,000 hectares in 2010. In the early 2010s, coca production was down,
however, according to US government reports. Nevertheless, using new refining pro-
cesses, Bolivia was actually able to increase its cocaine output during the same period.
All this has meant new political weight for the coca growers of the region. However,
they have been unable to find a united voice, with two main factions forming:
Las Protec-
cionistas
, the more established highland farmers who want to defend the localized eco-
nomy, and the more numerous
Nacionalistas,
from newly colonized lower altitude areas
who seek to expand the coca economy.
Las Proteccionistas
claim that coca is the only vi-
able crop at the altitudes at which they live and that Morales' policies - he supports al-
ternative legalized uses of coca in medicines, foods and drinks - actually threaten their
livelihoods by opening coca cultivation up to the multitudes.
During October 2003 - the dying days of President Sánchez de Lozada's government -
the Yungas was the scene of roadblocks and violent clashes between police, the military
and
campesino
(subsistence farmer) protestors angry at the selling of the nation's natural
resources (principally gas) and the mistreatment of the indigenous population. More than
100 tourists found themselves trapped in the town of Sorata for over a week during the
demonstrations, until a military mission was launched to 'rescue' them, sparking violent
clashes that left six people dead. The fall-out from the violence and the mismanagement
of the situation led to the resignation of Sánchez de Lozada and ultimately to the election
of Evo Morales, a former coca farmer.
Climate
The Yungas' physical beauty is astonishing, and although the hot, humid and rainy climate
may induce lethargy, it's nevertheless more agreeable to most people than the chilly Alti-
plano. Winter rains are gentle, and the heavy rains occur mainly between November and
March. The average year-round temperature hovers in the vicinity of 18°C, but summer
daytime temperatures in the 30s aren't uncommon. As a result, the region provides a
balmy retreat for chilled highlanders, and is a favorite R&R hangout for foreign travelers.
The mountains of the Cordilleras, on the other hand, are serious, lofty beasts and condi-
tions can be extreme, with warm days and nights that drop well below zero.
