Exploring La Paz: The Main Street's Unique Name

La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital, is a city with a unique topography. It is built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, which runs northwest to southeast. The city's main thoroughfare, which roughly follows the river, changes names over its length, but the central tree-lined section running through the downtown core is called the Prado. The Prado is part of the city's downtown area, which is also traversed by other principal roads such as Arce Avenue, 16 July Avenue (or Prado Avenue), Mariscal Santa Cruz Avenue, and Camacho Avenue.

La Paz's main street, Prado, runs through the downtown core

La Paz's geography, particularly its altitude, reflects the city's society. The lower you go, the more affluent. The richest houses are located in the lower neighbourhoods southwest of the Prado. The lower the altitude, the more oxygen there is in the air, and the milder the weather. Looking up from the centre, the surrounding hills are covered in makeshift brick houses belonging to those who are less well-off.

The Prado is part of the 6th District, or 'Centro' (Downtown), which also includes the city's principal roads, such as Arce Avenue, 16 July Avenue, Mariscal Santa Cruz Avenue, and Camacho Avenue. The latter is home to the headquarters of the country's principal banks and companies.

The Prado is also near the Plaza Murillo, which contains government buildings and the city cathedral.

The city is divided into seven main districts, or 'Macro Distritos'

The city of La Paz is divided into seven main districts, or Macro Distritos. These districts are:

• The Casco Urbano Central, which includes the neighbourhoods of San Jorge, Sopocachi, San Pedro, and the downtown area.
• Miraflores, which is separated from the downtown area by a long park and is home to universities and hospitals.
• The Zona Sur, which is the area of greatest expansion and growth, with exclusive neighbourhoods and the city's second commercial and financial centre.
• The Macro Distrito Sur, which includes the neighbourhoods of Obrajes, Calacoto, and Achumani.
• The Macro Distrito Periférica, which includes the neighbourhoods of Villa Copacabana, Pampahasi, and Kupini.
• The Macro Distrito Sur, which includes the neighbourhoods of Mallasa, Muela del Diablo, and Jupapina.
• The Macro Distrito Norte, which includes the neighbourhoods of Villa Armonía, Callapa, and San Isidro.

La Paz is the highest capital city in the world

La Paz, Bolivia, is the highest capital city in the world. It is situated in west-central Bolivia, about 42 miles (68 km) southeast of Lake Titicaca. The city is located in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River and sits at an elevation of roughly 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level. La Paz's metropolitan area is the second most populous urban area in Bolivia, with 2.2 million residents as of 2024.

La Paz was founded in 1548 by Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza as Nuestra Señora de La Paz ("Our Lady of Peace") at the site of an Inca settlement. The city was later moved to its present location in the valley of Chuquiago Marka. La Paz became the de facto seat of the national government in 1898, but Sucre remains the constitutional capital of Bolivia.

The city's geography and altitude reflect its society. The more affluent residents live in the lower, central areas of La Paz, while lower-income residents live in makeshift brick houses in the surrounding hills. La Paz's unusual subtropical highland climate is characterised by rainy summers and dry winters.

La Paz is an important political, administrative, economic, and cultural centre of Bolivia. It is home to several landmarks dating from colonial times, including the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Plaza Murillo. The city also boasts the largest urban cable car network in the world.

The city's altitude ranges from 4,058m to 3,100m above sea level

La Paz, Bolivia, is located at a dizzying altitude. The city's elevation ranges from 4,058 metres (13,313 feet) in El Alto, where the airport is found, to 3,100 metres (10,170 feet) in the lower residential neighbourhoods. La Paz is the highest administrative capital in the world, and its lofty position has a significant impact on the lives of its residents.

The city's geography is marked by social differences. The more affluent residents occupy the lower, central areas of La Paz, with the most well-off living in the neighbourhoods southwest of the Prado, the city's main thoroughfare. The mildest weather is found at these lower altitudes, and the air contains more oxygen. In contrast, those of lesser means tend to live in the surrounding hills, in makeshift brick houses.

The thin air at such high altitudes affects transportation in and out of the city. El Alto International Airport, one of the world's highest international airports, requires a longer runway for take-off due to the low-density atmosphere. Most international flights make a stopover in Santa Cruz to refuel and pick up or drop off passengers, as planes depart La Paz as light as possible.

The altitude can also be a health concern for visitors, who often find exertion difficult due to the rarefied atmosphere. It is recommended that travellers have adequate travel insurance and are aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness.

The city's satellite, El Alto, is home to the world's highest international airport

The satellite city of El Alto, home to the world's highest international airport, is spread over a broad area to the west of the canyon, on the Altiplano. El Alto International Airport is located 13km southwest of La Paz's city centre. At an elevation of 4,061 metres (13,323 feet), it is the highest international airport and fifth-highest commercial airport in the world. The airport runway is 4,000 metres long (2.5 miles).

The airport is a principal hub for Línea Aérea Amaszonas and Transporte Aéreo Militar, and a focus city for Boliviana de Aviación, Bolivia's flag carrier and largest airline. International carriers serving El Alto include Avianca and LATAM Airlines, which offer direct flights from La Paz to cities such as Bogotá, Lima, and Santiago. However, most international traffic, including flights to Europe, operate out of Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, which is at a much lower altitude and can accommodate larger aircraft.

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