Lyla Lindsey
El Alto, Bolivia, is a city in the mountains. In fact, it is the highest major city in the world, with an average elevation of 4,000m (13,123 ft) above sea level. The city is located in the Pedro Domingo Murillo Province on the Altiplano highlands, sitting above La Paz in a canyon high in the Andes Mountains. El Alto's elevation makes it a challenging location for a football stadium, and the new home of the Bolivian national team has been described as extraordinary. The thin air at this altitude affects the trajectory of the ball, making it fall in a straight line, which is complicated for goalkeepers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 4,000 m (13,123 ft) to 4,300 m (13,615 ft) above sea level |
| Population | 943,558 in 2020 |
| Climate | Cold, with the highest average monthly maximum temperature being 17 °C (63 °F) in November |
| Infrastructure | Substandard infrastructure and utilities |
| Transport | Connected to La Paz by cable car system and three lines of the Mi Teleférico system |
What You'll Learn
El Alto is the second-largest city in Bolivia
El Alto is situated at an average elevation of 4,000 metres, making it the highest major city in the world. The city's elevation can reach up to 4,300 metres above mean sea level. Due to its high altitude, El Alto experiences a cold climate, with the highest average monthly maximum temperature reaching 17°C in November. Snowfall can occur at any time of the year, and the city has a rare cold-summer subtropical highland climate.
The history of El Alto is closely tied to its proximity to La Paz. In the early 20th century, the construction of railways, an airstrip, and an air force base led to the development of El Alto as a settlement servicing these transport links. The city experienced significant growth in the 1950s when it was connected to La Paz's water supply, and immigration from rural areas to the La Paz region further contributed to its expansion.
El Alto has a distinct cultural identity, with a locally indigenous Neo-Andean architectural style and a thriving culinary scene. The city is also known for its cholitas, female wrestlers who perform at the El Multifuncional sports centre, and its vibrant political activism, playing a key role in the country's gas conflict and the rise of Evo Morales to the presidency.
Today, El Alto continues to grow and develop, with new cable car routes and emerging industries. It is a bustling hub of urban activity and a popular destination for visitors arriving at El Alto International Airport.
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It is one of the world's highest cities
El Alto, Bolivia, is one of the world's highest cities. At an elevation of 4,000 to 4,300 meters (13,123 to 13,615 feet) above sea level, it is the highest major city in the world. El Alto is located in the Pedro Domingo Murillo Province on the Altiplano highlands, adjacent to La Paz. The city's average elevation is 4,000 meters, but it can reach up to 4,300 meters in some areas.
El Alto's high altitude presents unique challenges and opportunities for its residents and visitors. The city has a cold climate, with the highest average monthly maximum temperature being 17 °C (63 °F). Snowfall can occur at any time of the year. The thin air at such high altitudes can cause tourists and even locals to experience symptoms like nausea, shortness of breath, and fatigue. It takes time to acclimatize to the lower air pressure and thinner air, and even acclimatized individuals may experience a slower recovery from physical exertion.
Despite the challenges posed by its altitude, El Alto is one of Bolivia's fastest-growing urban centers. The city has experienced rapid population growth, with an estimated population of 943,558 in 2020. This growth is attributed to immigration from Bolivia's rural areas, particularly following the rural reform of 1952 and the National Revolution of 1952, which granted universal suffrage and land reforms. El Alto's status as a high-altitude city has also had an impact on sports, with the Bolivian national football team choosing to play their home games in El Alto's Estadio Municipal, taking advantage of the challenging conditions for opposing teams.
The unique location of El Alto has shaped its development and cultural significance. The city boasts distinctive Neo-Andean and indigenous Aymara architecture, including the vibrant and imaginative creations of architect Freddy Mamani Silvestre. El Alto is also known for its thriving culinary scene, with projects like Manq'a promoting healthy and affordable meals while providing training opportunities for young people.
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El Alto is a hub of urban activity and a popular tourist destination
El Alto, meaning "The Heights" in Spanish, is a hub of urban activity and a popular tourist destination. Located in Bolivia's Pedro Domingo Murillo Province on the Altiplano highlands, it is the country's second-largest and fastest-growing city. With an average elevation of 4,000 metres (13,123 feet), El Alto is the highest major city in the world.
El Alto is a bustling centre of commerce and industry, attracting immigrants from Bolivia's rural areas. The city features a unique Neo-Andean architectural style, with colourful buildings designed by artists like Mamani Mamani. Visitors can explore El Alto's large open-air market, the Witches Market, and enjoy the distinct culture of the region.
El Alto is also a gateway to popular tourist destinations in Bolivia. The city is well-connected to La Paz, the country's administrative capital, through a cable car system offering stunning views. From El Alto, travellers can easily access the majestic peak of Huayna Potosi, a popular mountain for climbers, and the scenic Sajama National Park, home to hot springs and picturesque villages.
El Alto is a vibrant and fascinating destination, offering a blend of culture, architecture, and natural wonders that make it a must-visit when exploring Bolivia's highland cities.
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The city is served by an extensive cable car system
El Alto is located in the Andes Mountains, above La Paz, in Bolivia. It is the second-largest city in Bolivia and the highest major city in the world, with an average elevation of 4,000 metres (13,123 feet). The city is served by an extensive cable car system, known as the Mi Teleférico, which connects El Alto with La Paz and other surrounding areas.
The Mi Teleférico system consists of three lines that originate in El Alto and travel to central La Paz. The cable cars provide a quick and efficient means of transportation between the two cities, reducing travel time significantly compared to travelling by road. The system has dramatically eased transportation into the economic centre of the metropolitan area and offers passengers fantastic views of the surrounding area.
The construction of the Mi Teleférico cable car system was completed in 2014, with a total of ten lines serving the La Paz-El Alto metropolitan area. The project had huge symbolic value, demonstrating the Bolivian government's adroit handling of the economy and showcasing the country's innovation and technological prowess. The cable car system is also credited with reducing crime and promoting social inclusion in the region.
In addition to the practical benefits, the Mi Teleférico cable car system holds great symbolic significance for the residents of El Alto. The project recognised the city's permanence and economic importance and challenged the notion of othering that had previously painted alteños as fundamentally different from their paceño neighbours. The cable car system has become an iconic feature of El Alto, providing both a functional mode of transportation and a symbol of the city's resilience and innovation.
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El Alto is the home of the Bolivian national football team
El Alto, Bolivia, is located in the mountains. At an average elevation of 4,000 metres (13,123 feet) above sea level, it is the highest major city in the world. El Alto is also the second-largest city in Bolivia and is one of the country's fastest-growing urban centres.
El Alto is home to the Bolivian national football team. The El Alto Municipal Stadium, also known as the Villa Ingenio stadium, is located at 4,150 metres (13,615 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest football stadiums in the world. The stadium features the slogan "You play where you live" on its green grass, marked in white. The stadium has a capacity of 24,000 spectators and is considered a jewel in the Bolivian highlands.
The decision to play games in El Alto has been influenced by the high altitude, which can impact the performance of visiting teams unaccustomed to the thin air. The low oxygen levels at this altitude present a challenge for players, and it is recommended that athletes undergo a prior evaluation and adaptation period before competing at high altitudes.
The choice of El Alto as the home of the Bolivian national football team is part of a strategy to improve the team's performance and standing in international competitions. The high altitude provides a psychological boost for the Bolivian team and can contribute to a home-field advantage. However, the effectiveness of this strategy is debated, and some critics attribute the advantage to psychological factors rather than physical ones.
El Alto's elevation has drawn mixed reactions from visiting teams and their coaches. Some consider it a challenging location, while others argue that technological advancements and preparation strategies have mitigated the impact of high altitudes on athletic performance. Nonetheless, El Alto remains a unique and notable location for football, showcasing the intersection of sports and geography in Bolivia.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, El Alto is located in the mountains, specifically in the Altiplano highlands.
El Alto is located at an average elevation of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level. The El Alto International Airport is even higher, situated at 4,058 meters (13,615 feet).
Due to its high altitude, El Alto has a cold and dry climate. The Köppen climate classification system categorizes it as a rare cold-summer subtropical highland climate (Cwc). Snowfall can occur at any time of the year.
El Alto is the second-largest city in Bolivia, with an estimated population of 943,558 in 2020, and it is one of the fastest-growing urban centers in the country.
El Alto is known for its Neo-Andean architecture, the Mi Teleférico cable car system connecting it to La Paz, and the Feria 16 de Julio, one of the largest markets in South America. It is also the site of the El Multifuncional sports center, where the Fighting Cholitas, a group of female wrestlers, regularly perform.
