Exploring Bolivia: What Is The Country's Capital City?

Bolivia is a landlocked country in central South America, with a population of around 12 million people. The country's capital is Sucre, which is the seat of the judiciary. However, the seat of government is La Paz, which is also the country's largest city. La Paz is the world's highest administrative capital, sitting at an elevation of roughly 3,650m above sea level. The city was founded in 1548 by Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza and was originally named Nuestra Señora de La Paz, meaning 'Our Lady of Peace'.

La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital

La Paz was officially founded on October 20, 1548, by Spanish conquistador Alonso de Mendoza, and was originally named Nuestra Señora de La Paz ("Our Lady of Peace"). The city was established as a critical stop on the trade route between the silver mines of Potosí and the Pacific coast. La Paz played a crucial role in Bolivia's struggle for independence, and it was renamed La Paz de Ayacucho in 1825 to commemorate a decisive battle in the war.

As the administrative capital, La Paz is home to the executive and legislative branches of the Bolivian government, as well as many financial institutions and multinational corporations. The city's unique topography has led to a distinct urban layout, with neighbourhoods cascading down the canyon walls. La Paz is renowned for its markets, cultural landmarks, and nightlife. It is also a melting pot of ethnic diversity, with significant populations of Aymara, Quechua, mestizos, and descendants of European immigrants.

La Paz's economy is driven by its industrial sector, which includes food processing, textiles, chemicals, and handicrafts. The city is a major transportation hub, with its innovative urban cable car system, Mi Teleférico, providing efficient transportation and stunning views. Tourism also plays an increasingly important role, with visitors drawn to La Paz's unique cultural offerings and proximity to attractions like Lake Titicaca.

La Paz has a thriving arts and cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and festivals that showcase the city's diverse influences. The city's culinary scene reflects its cultural diversity, with traditional Andean ingredients blended with modern interpretations of Bolivian cuisine.

La Paz is a city of rich history and cultural significance, offering a blend of indigenous traditions, colonial heritage, and modern urban life. Its resilience in the face of geographical challenges and its role as a political and economic centre make it a captivating destination.

Sucre, Bolivia's constitutional capital

Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and is located in the south-central part of the country. The city is named after the revolutionary leader Antonio José de Sucre and has a population of around 300,000 people. Sucre is known for its whitewashed buildings, picturesque rooftops, and well-preserved colonial architecture, and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sucre was founded by the Spanish in the first half of the 16th century and was originally an Inca town called Chuquisaca. The city has had several names over the centuries, including La Plata, Charcas, and Chuquisaca. Today, the region is predominantly Quechua, with some Aymara communities and influences.

Sucre is an educational and government centre, housing the Bolivian Supreme Court. It is also a popular destination for foreigners and locals due to its pleasant climate and low crime rates. Sucre's university, Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, is one of the oldest in the New World. The city's pleasant climate was historically preferred by Spanish royalty and wealthy families involved in the silver trade.

The debate over whether Sucre or La Paz is the true capital of Bolivia has been a source of conflict and has led to bloodshed, violent protests, and divisive politics. Sucre was proclaimed the provisional and official capital of Bolivia in the constitution due to its proximity to important silver mines, which were the country's primary industry at the time. However, as the country's industrial focus shifted from silver to tin, La Paz, located near the tin mines, began to surpass Sucre in economic importance.

La Paz is now considered by many to be the de facto capital of Bolivia. It is the seat of government for the legislative and executive branches, while Sucre retains the seat of the judicial branch. La Paz is home to foreign embassies, government ministries, the central bank, and the president. It is also the third most populous city in Bolivia, with a population of around 835,000 people.

La Paz's history

La Paz, officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is the seat of government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. It is the third-most populous city in Bolivia, with 755,732 residents as of 2024. 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 is also the capital of the La Paz Department.

La Paz was founded on 20 October 1548, by the Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza, at the site of the Inca settlement of Laja. It was founded as a connecting point between the commercial routes that led from Potosí and Oruro to Lima, and was originally named 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. The city was later moved to its present location in the valley of Chuquiago Marka. La Paz was under Spanish colonial rule as part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata before Bolivia gained independence.

La Paz is built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, which runs northwest to southeast. 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 the highest capital city in the world. Due to its altitude, La Paz has an unusual subtropical highland climate, with rainy summers and dry winters.

La Paz has been the site of numerous revolts throughout its history. In 1781, the indigenous leader and independence activist Túpac Katari laid siege to the city for a total of six months, but was finally defeated. On 16 July 1809, the Bolivian patriot Pedro Domingo Murillo ignited a revolution for independence, marking the beginning of the Spanish American Wars of Independence, which gained the freedom of South American states in 1821.

In 1898, La Paz was made the de facto seat of the national government, with Sucre remaining the nominal historical and judiciary capital. This change reflected the shift of the Bolivian economy away from silver mining in Potosí to tin mining near Oruro, and the resulting shifts in the distribution of economic and political power among various national elites.

La Paz is an important political, administrative, economic, and sports centre of Bolivia. It is the site of the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, and the Bolivian legislature, the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, and numerous government departments and agencies. It is also a cultural centre of South America, hosting several landmarks from colonial times, such as the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Plaza Murillo, and Jaén Street.

La Paz's geography and climate

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, is located in west-central Bolivia, 68km southeast of Lake Titicaca. The city sits in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, in a bowl-like depression that is part of the Amazon basin. It is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano, including the triple-peaked Illimani, which overlooks the city.

La Paz has an unusual subtropical highland climate, with rainy summers and dry winters. The city's altitude means temperatures are consistently cool throughout the year, though the diurnal temperature variation is typically large. The average maximum daytime temperature in January is 25°C, dropping to an average maximum of around 22°C in July. The city has a relatively dry climate, with rainfall occurring mainly in the slightly warmer months of November to March. The wettest month is January, with an average rainfall of 100-140mm, while the driest months are June and July, with around 5mm of precipitation.

La Paz's geography is marked by social differences. The more affluent residents live in the lower, central areas of the city, southwest of the Prado (the city's main thoroughfare). Many middle-class residents live in high-rise condos near the centre, while lower-income residents live in makeshift brick houses in the surrounding hills. The satellite city of El Alto, where the airport is located, is spread over a broad area to the west of the canyon, on the Altiplano.

La Paz's culture and tourism

Bolivia's seat of government is La Paz, which contains the executive, legislative, and electoral branches. The city is a mix of native and Spanish influences, with the Aymara language and customs dominating. La Paz is also a hub of art and culture, with several museums, monuments, and historical sites.

La Paz's Culture

La Paz is the largest city in Bolivia and the nation's legislative capital. The city is a mix of native and Spanish influences, with the Aymara language and customs dominating. The city is home to the country's Supreme Court and other governmental buildings. Much like Washington, DC, La Paz was designed to separate the government buildings from the rest of the city. The Plaza Murillo, located in the city centre, is the centre of the city and includes the official government buildings and the city's cathedral.

La Paz is a growing city that is expanding in many directions and remains vibrant with a mix of customs from numerous eras. The city features unique neighbourhoods with plenty of diversity, making it a truly vibrant city with a South American flavour all its own.

La Paz's Tourism

La Paz offers a range of tourist attractions, from whale watching to city tours and beach relaxation. The city has a charming waterfront promenade, featuring international art and restaurants overlooking the grey whale-inhabited water. The Malecón, a boardwalk adorned with beautiful statues and art, is a must-see for travellers. It includes a famous statue, the "Pearl Oyster," which represents the pearl beds once found in the Sea of Cortez and is one of the most photographed statues in La Paz.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, located in the main square, is another notable site. Built in 1861 by Dominican missionaries on the site of the city's original Jesuit mission from the 17th century, the cathedral houses paintings rescued from old missions. The Regional Museum of Anthropology and History, located near the city centre, showcases the state's history, from its pre-Columbian cultures to the Independence of Mexico.

Other notable sites include the Old Government House Territory, now the Popular Culture Centre, where art exhibitions and traditions of the state and country can be appreciated. The municipal Palace and the Teatro Juarez, ancient buildings that now house the Cultural Centre of La Paz, feature historical and artistic exhibitions and performances.

For nature enthusiasts, La Paz offers whale watching and a Cactus Sanctuary located within the town of El Rosario. Balandra Beach, one of the most traditional beaches, is also a popular destination. La Paz's diverse landscapes, from pristine beaches to desert and crystal clear waters, make it a great destination for ecotourism and outdoor adventures.

Frequently asked questions