Santa Cruz, the most important town during the lowlands, is situated in this article, as are a lot of Bolivia's petroleum and purely natural fuel reserves. The southeastern Element of the lowlands is an element with the Gran Chaco. Just about rainless for 9 months on the more yr, this location turns into flooded for your three months of heavy rains. The intense variation in rainfall supports only thorny scrub vegetation and cattle grazing, Whilst new discoveries of pure gasoline and petroleum near the foothills of the Andes have captivated some settlers into the area.