Tarija is a department in Bolivia. It is located in southeastern Bolivia bordering Argentina to the south and Paraguay to the east. The Department of Tarija is renowned by its mild, pleasant climate, and as such comprises one of the country s foremost agricultural regions. Its citizens have traditionally felt close to, and conducted a lively international trade with, neighboring towns of Northern Argentina. Crucially, Tarija boasts South America s second largest natural gas reserves. Increased gas revenues and foreign direct investment in gas exploration and distribution are fueling growth and legitimizing Tarija as the next Bolivian industrial hub. The development of Tarija s gas reserves have been hindered by political instability at the national level, with Tarija choosing to align itself with pro-autonomy forces aiming at the devolution of considerable powers away from the central government in favor of the departments.
STATISTICAL DATA OF TARIJA DEPARTMENT: