Lexi Webster
Bolivia has two capitals: Sucre and La Paz. Sucre is the constitutional capital, while La Paz is the administrative capital and the seat of the government. Bolivia is one of the few countries in the world with two capitals. The story behind this division in government dates back to the Spanish colonial era. When Bolivia became independent in 1825, Sucre was named the provisional capital, and in 1839, it became the official capital. However, in 1899, the seat of government was relocated to La Paz, which was closer to the tin mines that had become the country's primary industry. Today, Sucre remains the only constitutionally recognized capital of Bolivia, while La Paz is considered the de facto capital, housing the foreign embassies, government ministries, and the president.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Capital | Sucre (constitutional) |
| Seat of government | La Paz |
What You'll Learn
La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America. It is bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The country has a rich history, having once been the centre of the ancient Tiwanaku empire and later a part of the Inca empire.
Bolivia's seat of government is La Paz, which is the administrative capital of the country. La Paz is home to the executive and legislative branches of the government. The city was founded under Spanish rule in 1548 and was previously an important Inca settlement. La Paz played a role in the 1809 revolt that eventually led to Bolivia's independence. The city is home to the presidential palace, which serves as the seat of the executive branch of the government. The Plurinational Legislative Assembly, consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, is also located in La Paz.
The constitutional capital of Bolivia is Sucre, which is the only branch of government administered from the city. The Supreme Court of Bolivia is located in Sucre. Sucre was first established as a city under colonial rule in 1538. In 1826, a year after Bolivia won its independence, Sucre was named the provisional capital and became the official capital in 1839.
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Sucre is the constitutional and historical capital of Bolivia
Sucre is an educational and government centre, and it is also the location of the Bolivian Supreme Court. The city is popular among foreigners and locals due to its pleasant climate and low crime rates. Notably, Sucre is home to one of the best-preserved historic city centres in the Western Hemisphere, with stunning examples of Hispanic colonial and republican architecture. This architectural heritage, combined with the city's millenarian history, led to Sucre being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
Sucre played a significant role in the Bolivian independence movement, with the first call for independence in 1809 originating from the city. The House of Freedom, built in 1621, is considered the most important building in the nation as it was where Simón Bolívar wrote the Bolivian Constitution. The city was proclaimed the provisional capital of the newly independent Bolivia in 1826 and renamed in honour of the revolutionary leader, Antonio José de Sucre, in 1839.
Today, Sucre remains the constitutional capital of Bolivia and the seat of the judiciary, with the Supreme Court located in the city. However, the seat of government was moved to La Paz in 1898 following the economic decline of Potosí and its silver industry.
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La Paz is the highest capital city in the world
La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, and it is the highest capital city in the world. Located in west-central Bolivia, La Paz is set in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. The city is in a bowl-like depression, part of the Amazon basin, and is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. At an elevation of roughly 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level, La Paz is higher than any other capital city.
La Paz is the seat of the government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. It is the site of the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, and the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, the Bolivian legislature. The city is also home to numerous government departments and agencies, as well as all foreign embassies and international missions in the country.
La Paz has a population of 755,732 as of 2024, making it the third-most populous city in Bolivia. Its metropolitan area, which includes El Alto, Achocalla, Viacha, and Mecapaca, is the second-most populous urban area in Bolivia, with a population of 2.2 million.
La Paz was founded on 20 October 1548 by the Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza. The city was a connecting point between the commercial routes that led from Potosí and Oruro to Lima. The full name of the city was originally Nuestra Señora de La Paz (meaning Our Lady of Peace) in commemoration of the restoration of peace following the insurrection of Gonzalo Pizarro and fellow conquistadors against the first viceroy of Peru.
La Paz has an unusual subtropical highland climate, with rainy summers and dry winters. At higher altitudes, the city has a subalpine subtropical highland climate, bordering on a tundra climate. Snow flurries can occur in winter, and night-time temperatures range from cold to very cold.
La Paz is an important political, administrative, economic, cultural, and sports centre of Bolivia. It generates 24% of the nation's gross domestic product and is home to numerous Bolivian companies and industries.
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Bolivia has the largest geographic extension of Amazonian plains and lowlands
Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is the fifth-largest country in South America, with a geographic area of 1,098,581 square kilometres (424,164 square miles). The country has the largest geographic extension of Amazonian plains and lowlands, with a diverse landscape that includes mountains, valleys, and the Chaco region with a tropical climate.
The Llanos region, which comprises 59% of Bolivia's territory, is characterised by flat lowlands and small plateaus. This region is covered by extensive rainforests and is home to a vast array of biodiversity. The Llanos region is situated in the northeast of the country and extends from the Andean foothills to the Paraguay River. The area experiences a humid tropical climate with an average temperature of 25°C (77°F). The wind from the Amazon rainforest brings significant rainfall, and during the month of May, dry winds lead to low precipitation and clear skies.
The Amazonian plains and lowlands of Bolivia are a significant part of the country's geography and contribute to its unique ecological character. The Llanos region, in particular, showcases the country's natural wealth and plays a vital role in sustaining the diverse flora and fauna found in this South American nation.
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Bolivia is the second-poorest country in South America
Political Instability
Bolivia has a history of political instability, with a series of coups and countercoups occurring throughout the late 20th century. This has created an environment of uncertainty and hindered long-term economic growth and development. In the 1980s, for example, the country suffered a deep economic recession, high inflation, and unemployment, which took 25 years to recover from.
Insufficient Education
The quality of public school education in Bolivia, especially in rural areas, is extremely poor. Teachers in these areas are often not properly trained, and private education is too expensive for most families. This creates a cycle where children from poor families are unable to escape poverty due to a lack of access to quality education.
Lack of Clean Water and Sanitation
Many people in rural areas of Bolivia lack access to clean, natural, or portable water and are forced to drink contaminated water. This puts them at significant risk of waterborne diseases, such as diarrhoea, which is a leading cause of death among children under five. While access to clean water has improved since the 1990s, these improvements have been concentrated in urban areas rather than the rural areas where they are most needed.
Low Productivity in Rural Areas
More than 80% of Bolivia's rural population lives below the poverty line. This is due in part to the low productivity of small-scale farming, which is often hampered by frequent water shortages and a lack of modern agricultural techniques. Additionally, a lack of infrastructure, such as water management systems and roads, increases costs and inhibits farmers' profits.
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Frequently asked questions
Bolivia has two capital cities: Sucre and La Paz. Sucre is the constitutional capital and the seat of the judiciary, while La Paz is the seat of the executive and legislative branches of government.
The division of government between Sucre and La Paz dates back to the Spanish colonial era. Bolivia's metal mining industry was focused on silver and tin, with the former being mined near Sucre and the latter near La Paz. The owners of the mines were split between the Liberal and Conservative Parties, and when the Liberals gained power in 1899, they moved the seat of government to La Paz.
La Paz is the administrative capital and the seat of government, but it is not the largest city in Bolivia. The biggest city in the country is Santa Cruz de la Sierra, which is located on the Llanos Orientales (eastern tropical lowlands).
The population of Bolivia is estimated to be around 12 million people.
