Beni Department

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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, covering 213,564 square kilometers (82,458 sq mi), and it was created by supreme decree on November 18, 1842 during the administration of General José Ballivián. With a population of 362,521 (2001 census), Beni is the most sparsely populated of the nine departments of Bolivia. Its weather is warm to hot and humid.

Beni borders upon Brazil to the northeast, and the departments of Santa Cruz to the southeast, La Paz to the west, Pando to the northwest, and Cochabamba to the south. Beni's territory is mainly covered by rainforest and pampa. Three of the country's main 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 Beni region features many large mounds connected by earthen causeways which were built by ancient inhabitants.

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, bananas, beef and fish.

The department is divided into eight provinces.