PLACES IN NEWS 19th AUGUST 2025

Bolivia

Why in the News?

1. Bolivia is headed for a presidential run-off after no candidate secured the required majority in the recent elections.
2. The results signal the end of over two decades of dominance by the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party.
3. Centrist candidate Rodrigo Paz secured the highest share of votes, followed by former President Jorge ‘Tuto’ Quiroga.
4. The election outcome reflects public discontent amid economic challenges, including high inflation, dollar shortages, and concerns over the existing economic model.

About Bolivia

1. Location: Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked nation in western-central South America, named after independence leader Simón Bolívar.
2. Geography:
   1. Situated in the Andes Mountains with a mix of highland plateaus and Amazon basin lowlands.
   2. About one-third of its area lies within the Andean range.
   3. Shares control of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake (12,500 ft).
3. Borders: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru.
4. Capital: Sucre is the constitutional capital; La Paz is the seat of government and executive capital.
5. History:
   1. Once part of the Inca Empire (15th–16th centuries).
   2. Conquered by the Spanish in 1538.
   3. Gained independence in 1825.
   4. Experienced frequent coups and countercoups until the last in 1978; democratic rule restored in 1982.
6. Government:
   1. A republic, with the constitution defining it as a “Social Unitarian State.”
   2. The President serves as both head of state and head of government.
7. Economy: A mixed system, combining private enterprise with state regulation and planning.
8. Other Facts:
   1. Currency: Bolivian Boliviano.
   2. Languages: 37 official languages, including Spanish.

 Myanmar

Why in the News?

1. Myanmar’s military junta has announced the start of long-promised elections even as the country remains engulfed in a civil war.
2. The elections are being held under conditions where large parts of the territory are controlled by pro-democracy groups and ethnic armed organisations, who have pledged to block polling in their areas.
3. Observers and international monitors have described the exercise as a move to rebrand military rule, with opposition leaders jailed or boycotting the process.
4. The announcement comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions, with thousands killed, millions displaced, and over half the population pushed into poverty.

About Myanmar

1. Official Name & Location
   1. Myanmar, formally the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, lies in mainland Southeast Asia.
   2. It shares borders with Bangladesh, India, China, Laos, and Thailand, and has coastlines along the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal
2. Area & Geography: Covering approximately 676,553 km², Myanmar features diverse terrain—from mountain ranges in the north through the central Irrawaddy basin to southern coastal plains
3. Burmese is the official language, serving as the first language for many and a second language for other groups.
4. Economy
   1. The economy is largely agrarian, with significant contributions from agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
   2. The country possesses substantial natural resources—including timber, oil, natural gas, and minerals—though political instability and limited infrastructure hamper growth.
5. Strategic Location:
   1. India and Myanmar share a 1,643 km land border along with a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.
   2. Myanmar serves as India’s gateway to Southeast Asia, crucial for connectivity initiatives like Act East Policy.
6. Countering China:
   1. To balance Chinese influence in the region, India developed the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State under the SAGAR vision, countering China’s development of the Kyaukpyu Port.
7. Internal Security:
   1. Myanmar shares borders with India’s insurgency-prone northeastern states.
   2. Cooperation with Myanmar is vital for border security, counter-insurgency operations, and maintaining regional stability.
8. Economic Cooperation:
   1. India is among Myanmar’s key trading partners with investments in energy, infrastructure, and agriculture.
   2. Connectivity projects like the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway highlight the deepening economic linkages.
9. Cultural & Historical Ties: Civilizational and religious linkages—especially Buddhism, which spread from India to Myanmar—form the foundation of people-to-people connections and enduring cultural ties.