Bolivia's Capital Cities: La Paz And Sucre Explained

Bolivia has two capital cities: Sucre and La Paz. Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and the seat of the judiciary, while La Paz is the seat of the government and home to the president, foreign embassies, and central bank. Both cities are worth visiting, but which is the true capital? This question has been the cause of bloodshed, violent protests, and divisive politics over the centuries.

Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia

The city holds major national importance and is an educational and government centre, as well as the location of the Bolivian Supreme Court. Sucre is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its well-preserved Hispanic colonial and republican historic city centre.

The region was originally an Inca town called Chuquisaca, a name that remains an alternative designation for the city today. The name Chuquisaca possibly derives from the Quechua words chuqi, meaning 'precious metal' or 'silver', and shaqa or saqa, meaning 'abundance', translating to 'a heap of precious metal' or 'a pile of silver'.

In 1538, the Spanish established the city under the name Ciudad de la Plata de la Nueva Toledo (City of Silver of New Toledo). In 1826, Sucre was proclaimed the provisional capital of Bolivia, then known as Alto Peru, and in 1839, a law was passed naming the city as the capital of Bolivia. The city was renamed in honour of the revolutionary leader, Antonio José de Sucre.

Today, Sucre remains the constitutional capital of Bolivia, as outlined in the country's constitution. The city is the seat of the judiciary and is home to the Supreme Court of Justice.

La Paz is the de facto capital of Bolivia

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America, with the largest geographic extension of Amazonian plains and lowlands, mountains, Chaco, and valleys. It is a country with diverse biomes, ecological regions, and ecosystems.

Bolivia has two capital cities: Sucre and La Paz. Sucre is the de jure, constitutional, and historical capital of Bolivia, as well as the seat of the judiciary. La Paz, on the other hand, is the de facto capital, the seat of government, and the political and governmental center of the country.

La Paz, officially known as Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is the third-most populous city in Bolivia, with 755,732 residents as of 2024. It is located in west-central Bolivia, 68 km southeast of Lake Titicaca, in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. The city was founded in 1548 by the Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza and was named Nuestra Señora de La Paz (meaning Our Lady of Peace) to commemorate the restoration of peace following an insurrection.

La Paz is the seat of the Bolivian government and is home to the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, as well as the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and numerous government departments and agencies. It is an important political, administrative, economic, and cultural center of Bolivia, contributing 24% of the nation's gross domestic product. La Paz is also a significant sports hub, with some of the country's biggest football teams based in the city.

La Paz has a subtropical highland climate due to its high altitude, with rainy summers and dry winters. The city is renowned for its markets, particularly the Witches' Market, and its nightlife. The topography offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and La Paz is home to the largest urban cable car network in the world.

La Paz is considered the de facto capital of Bolivia due to its role as the seat of government and the concentration of political power and administrative functions in the city. However, Sucre remains the official and constitutional capital, as recognized in the Bolivian Constitution, and it continues to be the seat of the judiciary.

Sucre is the seat of the judiciary

Bolivia is one of the few countries in the world to have two capital cities. Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia, while La Paz is the seat of government. Sucre is the legal capital of Bolivia and the seat of the judiciary, where the Supreme Court of Justice is located.

Sucre is located in the south-central region of Bolivia. It is the sixth most populous city in Bolivia and is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture. The city was founded in 1538 by Spanish settlers as Ciudad de la Plata de la Nueva Toledo (Silver Town of New Toledo). Over the centuries, it has also been known as La Plata, Charcas, and Chuquisaca. The name Chuquisaca possibly derives from the Quechua words chuqi, meaning 'precious metal' or 'silver', and shaqa or saqa, meaning 'abundance', thus translating to 'a heap of precious metal'.

The city holds major national importance and is an educational and government centre. It is also a religious centre, serving as the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Bolivia. Sucre is home to several esteemed institutions, including the University of Saint-Francois Xavier, the Royal Academia Carolina, and the San Isabel de Hungria Seminario. The city played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's cultural and legal foundations and was the region's judicial, religious, and cultural centre until the 19th century.

In 1839, Sucre was renamed in honour of the late Antonio Jose de Sucre, a leader in the fight for independence, and it was declared the first capital of the newly formed Republic of Bolivia. However, in 1898, the Bolivian seat of government was moved from Sucre to La Paz due to the economic decline of the silver industry in the region. Despite this, Sucre remains the true capital of Bolivia as designated in the Constitution of Bolivia.

La Paz is the seat of the executive and legislative branches

Bolivia has two capital cities: Sucre and La Paz. Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia, as it appears in the country's constitution. La Paz is the seat of the government of Bolivia and is considered the political and governmental capital.

La Paz is also an important political, administrative, economic, and sports centre of Bolivia. It is the site of the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, and numerous government departments and agencies. It is the headquarters of several Bolivian companies and industries and generates 24% of the nation's gross domestic product.

Sucre is the sixth most populous city in Bolivia

Bolivia's capital has been a subject of debate for centuries, with both Sucre and La Paz laying claim to the title. Sucre is the constitutional and judicial capital of Bolivia, as outlined in the country's constitution. It is also the capital of the Chuquisaca Department and the sixth most populous city in Bolivia. Located in the south-central region of the country, Sucre sits at an elevation of 2,790 m (9,150 ft), giving it a subtropical highland climate with pleasant temperatures all year round.

The city has a long and rich history, dating back to its time as an Inca town called Chuquisaca before Spanish colonisation. Sucre was an important centre during the Real Audencia de Charcas and was later renamed in honour of the revolutionary leader, Antonio José de Sucre. With its well-preserved colonial architecture, it is known as the most beautiful city in Bolivia and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sucre's population has grown over the years, with an estimated 296,305 people calling the city home in 2024. This makes it the sixth most populous city in Bolivia, after Santa Cruz, El Alto, La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the country's most populous and economically important city.

The city is an educational and governmental hub, housing the Bolivian Supreme Court and the second oldest public university in the Americas, the Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca. Sucre's mild climate, low crime rates, and cultural significance have made it a popular destination for both foreigners and locals alike.

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