FACTBOX-Bolivia's wealthiest region seeks autonomy

May 4 (Reuters) - Bolivia's wealthiest region, Santa Cruz, voted on a referendum on Sunday demanding greater autonomy from the leftist central government.

Here are the main points of the autonomy statute in Santa Cruz, one of Bolivia's nine departments or regions:

* The creation of the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz, unprecedented in Bolivia's system of centralized government, where the president appoints governors.

* Santa Cruz would have a directly elected governor and an elected assembly for the first time, with powers to legislate on issues ranging from the judiciary to taxes.

* Santa Cruz would define its own polices on taxes, telecommunications, housing and land, and railway transport. This is a direct challenge to the central government's land reform plans to redistribute unused lands to the country's indigenous majority.

* The governor would have the right to sign international accords.

* Santa Cruz would have the power to form and run its own police force.

* The governor, deputy governor and leaders of the department's 15 provinces (similar to counties) would have immunity from prosecution.

* The immigration status of foreigners in Santa Cruz would be regulated by the department, not by the national government. (Reporting by Carlos Alberto Quiroga; Writing by Pav Jordan; Editing by Bill Trott)