Damon Mcknight
Bolivia is a landlocked country in Western-Central South America with a population of 11,353,142 people. The country has 1,384 cities, and as of 2012, 53 of these cities had a population of at least 10,000. The most populated city in Bolivia is Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz.
What You'll Learn
Santa Cruz de la Sierra: population of 3.1 million
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz, is the most populous city in Bolivia, with an estimated population of 3.1 million people. It is the capital of the Santa Cruz department and is situated on the Pirai River in the eastern part of the country. The city covers 207 square miles and is the economic and financial centre of Bolivia, contributing over 35% of the country's GDP. It is also one of the fastest-growing cities globally, with a 29.4% population increase between the 2001 and 2012 censuses.
Santa Cruz was founded in 1561 by Spanish explorer Ñuflo de Chavez and was moved several times before finally being established on the Pirai River in the late 16th century. For much of its history, it remained a small outpost town, even after Bolivia gained independence in 1825. It was not until the second half of the 20th century, with agrarian and land reforms, that Santa Cruz began to grow rapidly. The city has a tropical climate, in contrast to other main metropolitan areas in Bolivia, due to its low elevation at the foothills of the Andes and its location in the Amazon basin.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra is a diverse city, with a history of migrations from various groups. The first settlers included the native Chane people of East Bolivia, Spaniards, and Guaranis from Paraguay. In recent decades, large migrations from western regions of Bolivia have transformed the demographics of the city, and external migration has also become noticeable, with immigrants from countries like Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and the United States.
The city is a significant business hub, receiving over 40% of all foreign direct investment in Bolivia. It is also a cultural centre, with Bolivia's largest shopping mall, Ventura Mall, located within the city. Santa Cruz de la Sierra is served by Viru Viru International Airport, the largest in Bolivia, with service on 14 airlines, including 10 foreign carriers.
Santa Cruz's population reflects the diverse nature of Bolivia as a whole. The country has a multi-ethnic population, with 36 indigenous languages holding official status alongside the predominant Spanish language. The city itself has a strong mestizo and Creole identity, with a smaller indigenous population.
Morales' Support in Bolivia: Gauging the Public Sentiment
You may want to see also
La Paz: 800,000 residents
La Paz, officially known as Nuestra Senora de la Paz, is a city in Bolivia with a population of close to 800,000 residents. It is the seat of government of Bolivia and is the highest administrative capital in the world at 3,650 metres above sea level.
La Paz was founded in 1548 by Alonso de Mendoza and has a metro population of approximately 2.4 million. The city is located at a high elevation of 11,975 feet and experiences a Subtropical Highland climate with rainy summers and dry winters.
La Paz plays a crucial role in the country's political, administrative, and economic affairs. It is home to the presidential palace, the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, government agencies, foreign embassies, companies, and industries. The city also boasts various landmarks from colonial times and unique markets.
La Paz is one of the fastest-growing cities in Bolivia, along with El Alto, which is located in the El Alto Municipality in the Pedro Domingo Murillo province. La Paz's population has been declining in recent years, with a decrease of 4.1% between 2001 and 2012, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia.
Bolivia's History: Wars and Conflicts
You may want to see also
El Alto: 2.3 million residents
El Alto is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in Bolivia. Located in El Alto Municipality in the Pedro Domingo Murillo province, the city stands at an elevation of 13,615 feet. The building of a railway line in 1903 and the construction of an airbase for the country's military air force contributed to the initial habitation of the area. By the 1950s, the population of El Alto had grown significantly, and in 1987 it was officially recognised as a city. Today, El Alto is home to an international airport and has a general metropolitan population of 2.3 million people. The city has a cold climate.
El Alto's population reflects the diverse nature of Bolivia, a country with a multi-ethnic population and 36 indigenous languages that hold official status alongside the predominant Spanish language. The city's location in the Pedro Domingo Murillo province places it in the vicinity of other significant Bolivian cities such as La Paz, the country's seat of government. La Paz is located at an elevation of 3,650 meters above sea level, making it the highest administrative capital in the world. It has a population of close to 800,000 residents.
The largest city in Bolivia is Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz. It is the capital of the Santa Cruz department and is situated on the Pirai River in the eastern Tropical Lowlands of the country. The Santa Cruz de la Sierra Metropolitan Region is the most populous urban agglomeration in Bolivia, with an estimated population of 2.4 million in 2020. The city is the main business centre in Bolivia and the principal destination for national and international migrants. Santa Cruz is also the economic and financial heart of Bolivia, contributing nearly 35% of the country's gross domestic product.
Bolivia is a landlocked country in Western-Central South America, officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia. It is a Spanish-speaking country with a population of 11,353,142 people. The capital city of Bolivia is a matter of some debate. While the constitutional capital is Sucre, a city with approximately 300,000 residents, the seat of government is located in La Paz.
Bolivia's Rich Cultural Meanings and Their Significance
You may want to see also
Cochabamba: 1.9 million residents
Bolivia is a landlocked country in Western-Central South America, with a population of 11,353,142 people. The country's official language is Spanish, but there are also 36 indigenous languages that have official status. The city of Cochabamba, located in the Cochabamba Municipality, Cercado Province, is one of the biggest cities in Bolivia. With a general metropolitan population of 1.9 million residents, mainly Cochalas, it is the country's fourth-largest city.
Cochabamba was founded in 1571. The area has been inhabited for several years, even before the Spanish arrived in the region, due to its fertile and productive soil, as well as its favourable climate. The city is an agricultural and industrial hub, and it is considered one of the most economically and socially progressive cities in Bolivia.
Cochabamba is one of the fastest-growing cities in Bolivia, along with El Alto, which is located in the El Alto Municipality in the Pedro Domingo Murillo province. The population of El Alto has grown tremendously since the 1950s, and it was officially recognised as a city in 1987. Another fast-growing city is Santa Cruz de la Sierra, which is the largest city in Bolivia, with a population of 3.1 million.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz, is the capital of the Santa Cruz department. It is located on the Pirai River in the eastern Tropical Lowlands of Bolivia. The city was founded in 1561 by Spanish explorer Ñuflo de Chavez and has grown rapidly since the middle of the 20th century due to agrarian and land reforms. Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the economic and financial centre of Bolivia, contributing to nearly 35% of the country's gross domestic product. It is also a major destination for national and international migrants.
Beauty in Bolivia: Exploring Unique Cultural Standards
You may want to see also
Oruro: 264,683 residents
Bolivia is a landlocked country in Western-Central South America. It is a diverse country geographically, with mountains, deserts, and rainforests. The country is also multi-ethnic, with 36 indigenous languages that have official status in addition to the predominant Spanish language.
The most populated city in Bolivia is Santa Cruz de la Sierra, with a population of 1,364,389 people. However, the metropolitan region, which consists of seven municipalities, has an estimated population of 2.4 million. Santa Cruz de la Sierra is the economic and financial centre of Bolivia, producing nearly 35% of the country's gross domestic product. It is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the world.
The seat of government in Bolivia is located in La Paz, which has a population of close to 800,000 residents. La Paz is the highest administrative capital in the world, with an elevation of 3,650 meters above sea level.
While it is not one of the most populous cities in Bolivia, the city of Oruro is notable for its population of 264,683 residents. Oruro was founded on November 1, 1606, as a silver mining centre and is located in the Cercado Province in the Oruro department. The city's economy remains heavily dependent on the mining industry, with the extraction of tin, tungsten, silver, and copper being the primary industries. However, over the twentieth century, tourism has grown in importance and now greatly impacts the country's economy. Oruro covers an area of 631 square miles, making it a relatively large city in terms of area coverage.
Michelin Stars in Bolivia: Any Three-Star Restaurants?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, commonly known as Santa Cruz, is the largest city in Bolivia. It is the country's economic and financial centre, producing nearly 35% of Bolivia's GDP.
The population of Santa Cruz de la Sierra is estimated to be around 3.1 million, with a coverage area of 207 square miles.
The constitutional capital of Bolivia is Sucre, with around 300,000 residents. However, the seat of government is in La Paz, which has a population of close to 800,000 people.
