The Singular Charm Of Bolivia's Capital City

Bolivia has two capital cities: Sucre and La Paz. Sucre is the constitutional capital, while La Paz is the administrative capital. La Paz is the seat of the Bolivian government, home to the presidential palace, and the site of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly. It is the third-most populous city in Bolivia, with 755,732 residents as of 2024.

La Paz is located in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, in a bowl-like depression in the Amazon basin. It is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano and overlooked by the triple-peaked Illimani. At an elevation of roughly 3,650m above sea level, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world.

The city was founded in 1548 by the Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza, at the site of the Inca settlement of Laja. It was originally named Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace) to commemorate the restoration of peace following an insurrection against the first viceroy of Peru.

La Paz is known for its unique topography, indigenous culture, and lively markets. The city is built along different levels, with houses and establishments situated on varying heights. It is renowned for having the largest urban cable car network in the world.

La Paz embodies a vibrant, bustling energy, with terracotta-roofed buildings, sprawling markets, and streets bustling with life. It is a cultural hub, hosting several landmarks from colonial times, such as the San Francisco Church and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The city is also situated at the confluence of the archaeological regions of the Tiwanaku and Inca Empire.

La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucre is the constitutional capital

Bolivia has two capital cities: La Paz and Sucre. La Paz is the administrative capital, while Sucre is the constitutional capital.

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 located in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, in a bowl-like depression, part of the Amazon basin. It is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano and overlooked by the triple-peaked Illimani. At an elevation of roughly 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world.

La Paz is the site of the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, and the seat of the Bolivian legislature, the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, and numerous government departments and agencies. It is also an important political, administrative, economic, and sports centre of Bolivia, generating 24% of the nation's gross domestic product.

La Paz is also a cultural centre of South America, with several landmarks dating from colonial times, such as the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Plaza Murillo. It is renowned for its markets, particularly the Witches' Market, and for its nightlife. La Paz is home to the largest urban cable car network in the world.

Sucre, on the other hand, is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and the seat of the judiciary branch of the government. It is a stunning white colonial city where independence was declared in 1825. Sucre is known as the most beautiful city in Bolivia, with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city centre. It is famous for its whitewashed buildings, picturesque rooftops, and well-preserved colonial architecture. Sucre is much older than La Paz, having been established in 1538, and has a mild climate.

La Paz is the highest capital city in the world at 3,650m above sea level

La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital, is the highest capital city in the world at 3,650m above sea level. It is perched in the Andes mountains, in a bowl-like depression, part of the Amazon basin, surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. The city is set in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, with the triple-peaked Illimani overlooking it.

The elevation of La Paz gives it an unusual subtropical highland climate, with rainy summers and dry winters. The higher parts of the city have a subalpine subtropical highland climate, with night-time temperatures ranging from cold to very cold. Snow flurries can occur in winter, especially at dawn, and usually melt before noon.

The altitude of La Paz can cause altitude sickness, with symptoms including brutal headaches. However, these can be managed with coca tea, which is consumed copiously in the city.

La Paz 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 the seat of the Bolivian government, housing the Palacio Quemado (the presidential palace), the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, and numerous government departments and agencies. It is also an important cultural centre of South America, with several landmarks dating from colonial times, such as the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Plaza Murillo.

La Paz is built along different levels, with houses and establishments built on varying heights. The city's main thoroughfare is the Prado, which roughly follows the river. The more affluent residents live in the lower, central areas of the city, while lower-income residents live in makeshift brick houses in the surrounding hills.

La Paz is the third most populous city in Bolivia, with 755,732 residents as of 2024

La Paz, officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is the third most populous city in Bolivia, with 755,732 residents as of 2024. It is the seat of government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the administrative capital of the country. The constitutional capital of Bolivia is Sucre, which retains the judicial branch of the government. However, La Paz is considered by many to be the de facto capital of the country.

La Paz is located in west-central Bolivia, 68 km (42 mi) southeast of Lake Titicaca. It is set in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River and is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. The triple-peaked Illimani overlooks the city, with its snow-covered peaks visible from many parts of the city. At an elevation of roughly 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world.

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. The city was named Nuestra Señora de La Paz, or "Our Lady of Peace," to commemorate the restoration of peace following an insurrection against the first viceroy of Peru. 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 an important political, administrative, economic, and cultural centre of Bolivia. It is home to the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, as well as the Bolivian legislature, the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, and numerous government departments and agencies. The city also hosts all the foreign embassies and international missions in the country. La Paz generates 24% of the nation's gross domestic product and is headquarters to numerous Bolivian companies and industries.

La Paz has a population of around 755,732 to 835,000 people, with its metropolitan area, including the cities of El Alto, Achocalla, Viacha, and Mecapaca, forming the second most populous urban area in Bolivia, with a population of 2.2 million. The city is renowned for its markets, particularly the Witches' Market, and for its nightlife. La Paz also offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains from numerous natural viewing points.

La Paz is home to the Witches' Market, where you can buy llama foetuses and dead baby llamas to bury under buildings to appease Mother Nature

La Paz, Bolivia, is a unique city. It is the highest capital city in the world, sitting at 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level. It is also the seat of the Bolivian government, despite Sucre being the constitutional capital. La Paz is home to around 755,732 residents and is the second-most populous urban area in Bolivia.

La Paz is famous for its markets, particularly the Witches' Market, or El Mercado de las Brujas. This market is run by local witch doctors, or yatiri, who are easily identified by their black hats and coca pouches containing amulets, talismans, and powders. The yatiri sell a range of strange and fascinating products, from amulets and talismans to folk remedies and aphrodisiacs.

The most famous items sold at the Witches' Market are the dried llama foetuses and dead baby llamas. These are buried under the foundations of new buildings as an offering to Pachamama, or Mother Earth, to bring protection, health, happiness, and good luck. Wealthier Bolivians may sacrifice a living llama, but the dried foetuses are used by poorer people. The foetuses are also sometimes burned to bring the goodwill of the goddess.

The Witches' Market is located on Calle Jiminez and Linares, between Sagarnaga and Santa Cruz, in a lively tourist area. It is a popular destination for tourists who want to take home a bizarre souvenir.

La Paz is built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River and is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, is nestled in a canyon carved out by the Choqueyapu River. The city sits in a bowl-like depression, part of the Amazon basin, and is surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Altiplano. This unique geographical setting gives La Paz a striking appearance and presents a challenge to its residents.

The Choqueyapu River, now mostly built over, once flowed through the heart of La Paz, with the city's main thoroughfare following its path. Today, the river is largely hidden from view, but its influence on the city's layout remains evident. La Paz's hilly nature, with houses and establishments built along different levels, makes navigation a challenge, and conventional modes of public transport fall short. To overcome this, La Paz has developed the world's highest and longest cable car network, offering a cheap and efficient means of transportation.

The base of the canyon is home to official buildings and more affluent dwellings, while the vast majority of residents inhabit houses built into the vertical elevation rising from the depression. This has given La Paz its distinctive appearance and sandy hue. The city's topography offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the snow-capped peaks of Huayna Potosi and Illimani.

La Paz's location in the canyon has shaped not only its physical structure but also its social dynamics. The more affluent residents tend to live in the lower, central areas, while middle-class residents occupy high-rise condos near the centre. Lower-income residents, on the other hand, reside in makeshift brick houses in the surrounding hills. The satellite city of El Alto, located on the Altiplano west of the canyon, is spread out over a broad area.

The canyon created by the Choqueyapu River and the surrounding mountains of the Altiplano have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on La Paz, influencing its architecture, transportation, social dynamics, and overall character. The city's unique setting has contributed to making La Paz a fascinating and challenging place to live and visit.

Frequently asked questions