Beni
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See also Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Bolivia-Beni.png
Map of Bolivia showing Beni department.
Beni, sometimes El Beni, is a northeastern department of Bolivia in the lowlands region of the country. It is the second largest department in the country with more than 213,000 square kilometers. Population (2001 census) 362,521. Its weather is warm to hot and humid. Beni has borders with Brazil and the Bolivian departments of Santa Cruz, La Paz, Pando and Cochabamba. Beni's territory is mainly covered by rainforest and pampa. Three of the main Bolivian lakes are located in the department of Beni. Although Beni is rich in natural resources, the poverty level of its inhabitants is high. The main economic activities are agriculture, timber and cattle.
The inhabitants (Benianos) are mostly descendants of Cruceños (people from Santa Cruz) and native peoples. The culture is Camba (common to Santa Cruz, Beni, and Pando) and not Andean. Unfortunately, in the past there was a regionalism (even a type of racism) against the Andean peoples but this is disappearing with a growing pride in the national identity and diversity. Benianos are simple, straightforward people whose Spanish is likely inherited from Santa Cruz which in turn inherited it from Asunción del Paraguay, the departure point of its founders, among them Ñuflo de Chávez. Not only the language, but the customs are almost pure Andalusian.
The Beniano diet is largely rice, plátanos, beef and fish.
The department is divided in eight provinces.
Provinces of Beni
- Cercado
- Iténez
- José Ballivián
- Mamoré
- Marbán
- Moxos
- Vaca Diéz
- Yacumade:Beni