... and that's probably why there is so much interest in Bolivia.... though I doubt the intended use is for purposes of psychological well-being........
At 4,085 square miles, Salar de Uyuni in Southwest Bolivia is the world's largest salt flat. Those salts contain large amounts of sodium, potassium, magnesium and lithium, and these days, it's the last element on that list that is attracting attention. According to the USGS,
Bolivia has 35% of the world's lithium resources, and since in the coming years, electric cars and plug-in hybrids that use lithium-ion batteries are expected to greatly increase in numbers, this could mean big changes for Bolivia, South-America's poorest country....
... Bolivia owns the largest natural store of lithium in the world. Lithium has become the basis for the de facto technology for the battery-driven society. In Bolivia, there is enough lithium for
4.8 BILLION electric cars.
And suddenly it became clear why the last two USer regimes were so eager to replace the populist Morales.
Because if they failed, if Ivo Morales were to STAY in power in Bolivia, the UNTHINKABLE could happen: The vast wealth accruing from this unlikely but plentiful resource might actually redound to the benefit and prosperity of the Bolivian people--descendants of the Maya which were obliterated 500 years ago by the Spaniards in their ruthless pursuit of the riches of the Americas...