Located in west central South America, Bolivia is a landlocked country. It was named after the famous independence fighter Simon Bolivar. Bolivia broke off from Spanish rule in 1825 and subsequently suffered nearly 200 coups and countercoups. The political and social unrest lingered on for almost 150 years. Democratic Civilian rule was restored in 1982 but the country remained under the spell of abject poverty, social unrest and drug trafficking. However, in 2005, Bolivians elected Evo Morales as their president. Morales received the heaviest majority since restoration of democracy in 1982. His election manifesto was based on poverty alleviation, empowering of poor and changing of political culture. Morales won a re-election with élan in December 2009. His party took over reins of legislative branch of government and is now in a better position to enforce its agenda of positive change and reform. The country held the landmark and first ever judicial elections in October, 2011 and selected judges for four of the highest courts of the country.
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