Santa Cruz Department Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Santa Cruz is a department in Bolivia. Population (2001 census) 2,029,471. The capital is the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.The department covers a vast expanse of territory in eastern Bolivia, much of it rainforests, extending from the Andes to the border with Brazil. The department's economy depends largely on agriculture, with sugar, cotton, soybeans and rice being grown. In recent years, the discovery of natural gas in the department has led to plans for the development of a regional natural gas industry that will likely boost the local economy. In July 2004, the people of Bolivia voted in a nation-wide referendum to allow for regulated exportation of the gas.
The department is divided in 15 provinces.