Battles & Campaigns · 1904
Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1904)
Santiago, Chile
What happened
Bolivia and Chile signed the treaty in Santiago, twenty years after the War of the Pacific. In the War of the Pacific, Chile had taken Bolivia's coastline. In this treaty Bolivia recognised Chile's control of that coast. Chile in return gave Bolivia permanent rights to move goods through Chilean land and ports, and the two countries fixed their border.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It set the modern Bolivia–Chile border. It is also the root of Bolivia's long-running wish for its own access to the sea.
What came next
A railway from Arica to La Paz opened in 1913. In 2018 the International Court of Justice ruled that Chile was not obliged to negotiate sea access for Bolivia.
Did you know?
The border it set runs about 861 km through 96 numbered points in the Andes.
Timeline
- 1880sChile takes Bolivia's coast in the War of the Pacific.
- 20 October 1904The treaty is signed in Santiago.
- 1913The Arica–La Paz railway opens.
- 1 October 2018ICJ ruling on Bolivia's claim.