La Paz, officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is the administrative capital of Bolivia. It is located in the Andes, in the western or north-western part of the country, and is the highest administrative capital in the world. La Paz is situated in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, in a bowl-like depression, and is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. The city is the seat of the Bolivian government and is the site of the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace. La Paz is also an important cultural centre, with several landmarks dating from colonial times, including the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Jaén Street.
What You'll Learn
- La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucre is the constitutional capital
- La Paz is the seat of the government of Bolivia
- La Paz is the world's highest capital city, at an altitude of 3,650m to 4,100m
- La Paz is situated in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River
- La Paz is the third-most populous city in Bolivia
La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucre is the constitutional capital
La Paz is located in west-central Bolivia, about 42 miles (68 km) southeast of Lake Titicaca. The city is set in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, in a bowl-like depression, part of the Amazon basin. It is the highest capital city in the world at an elevation of roughly 3,650 m (11,975 ft) to 3,660 m (12,000 ft) above sea level. La Paz was founded in 1548 by the Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza on the site of an Inca village. The city's official name is Nuestra Señora de La Paz, which means "Our Lady of Peace".
Sucre, on the other hand, is located in the south-central part of Bolivia. It is the sixth most populous city in the country and lies at an elevation of 2,790 m (9,150 ft). Sucre is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was established in 1538 as an Inca town called Chuquisaca and became the capital of Bolivia when the country gained its independence in 1825.
The question of which city is the true capital of Bolivia has been a source of debate, division, and even violence throughout the country's history. The dispute dates back to the 19th century when economic and political power shifted from Sucre, which was closely linked to the silver industry, to La Paz, which was closer to the tin mines. In 1898, La Paz was established as the de facto seat of the national government, while Sucre retained its status as the official and constitutional capital.
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La Paz is the seat of the government of Bolivia
La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucre is the constitutional capital and the seat of the Supreme Court. La Paz is the seat of the executive, legislative, and electoral branches of the government of Bolivia. The Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, is located in La Paz. The city is also the seat of the Bolivian legislature, the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, and numerous government departments and agencies.
La Paz was established in 1548 by the Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza on the site of an Inca village. The city was founded as Nuestra Señora de La Paz ("Our Lady of Peace"), and renamed La Paz de Ayacucho in 1825, in commemoration of the last decisive battle in the wars of independence. The seat of the national government was established in La Paz in 1898.
La Paz is the third-most populous city in Bolivia, with 755,732 residents as of 2024. Its metropolitan area, which includes the satellite city of El Alto, is the second most populous urban area in Bolivia, with a population of 2.2 million. La Paz is the highest administrative capital in the world, with an altitude of 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level. The city is situated in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, in the Andes, and is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano.
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La Paz is the world's highest capital city, at an altitude of 3,650m to 4,100m
La Paz, Bolivia, is the world's highest capital city, with an altitude of 3,650m to 4,100m above sea level. The city is set in a bowl-like depression, surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. The city's location affords some protection from the cold winds of the highlands.
La Paz was founded in 1548 by Spanish conquistadors at the site of an Inca settlement. The city's official name is Nuestra Señora de La Paz, meaning "Our Lady of Peace". The name commemorates the restoration of peace following an insurrection against the first viceroy of Peru.
Due to its high altitude, La Paz has an unusual subtropical highland climate, with rainy summers and dry winters. The city's unique topography offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains of the Cordillera Real from numerous natural viewing points.
La Paz's elevation can cause altitude sickness in visitors who are not acclimatised to it. The main symptoms of altitude sickness include headaches, insomnia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, and shortness of breath. Despite the potential for altitude sickness, most visitors are fine and can enjoy the city's vibrant culture and attractions, including the world's largest urban cable car network, Mi Teleférico.
La Paz is an important political, administrative, economic, and cultural centre of Bolivia. The city is home to the seat of the government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the presidential palace, the Bolivian legislature, and numerous government departments and agencies. La Paz also boasts several landmarks from colonial times, such as the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Plaza Murillo.
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La Paz is situated in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River
La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, is located in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. The river, also known as the La Paz River, originates in a spring called Achachi Qala in the Cordillera Real near the mountain Chacaltaya at a height of 5,395 m. It runs through La Paz from north to south and is part of the drainage basin of the Amazon.
La Paz is situated in a bowl-like depression, part of the Amazon basin, and is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. The triple-peaked Illimani overlooks the city, and its snow-covered peaks can be seen from many parts of La Paz. The city's elevation is approximately 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level, making it the highest capital city in the world.
Due to its high altitude, La Paz has a unique subtropical highland climate with rainy summers and dry winters. The geography of the city is marked by social differences, with more affluent residents living in the lower, central areas and lower-income residents in the surrounding hills.
The Choqueyapu River has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of La Paz, and the city's main thoroughfare, the Prado, roughly follows the river's path. Today, much of the river is built over, but it continues to be an essential part of the city's geography and history.
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La Paz is the third-most populous city in Bolivia
La Paz, officially called Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is the third-most populous city in Bolivia, with a population of 755,732 as of 2024. It is the seat of the government of Bolivia and is located in the west-central region of the country, 68 km southeast of Lake Titicaca.
La Paz is situated in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River and is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. At an elevation of roughly 3,650 m above sea level, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. The city's altitude results in an unusual subtropical highland climate, with rainy summers and dry winters.
La Paz was founded in 1548 by the Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza as a connecting point between commercial routes. The full name of the city was originally Nuestra Señora de La Paz ("Our Lady of Peace") to commemorate the restoration of peace following an insurrection. The city was later moved to its present location in the valley of Chuquiago Marka.
La Paz is an important political, administrative, economic, and sports centre of Bolivia. It is home to the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, and the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, the Bolivian legislature. The city generates 24% of the nation's gross domestic product and is the headquarters for numerous Bolivian companies and industries.
La Paz is also a significant cultural centre in South America, hosting landmarks such as the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Plaza Murillo. The city is renowned for its markets, particularly the Witches' Market, and its nightlife. La Paz offers views of the surrounding mountains of the Cordillera Real from numerous natural viewing points. Additionally, La Paz is home to the largest urban cable car network globally.
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Frequently asked questions
La Paz is located in the west-central region of Bolivia.
La Paz is located at an elevation of roughly 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level, making it the highest capital city in the world.
As of 2024, La Paz has a population of 755,732 residents, making it the third-most populous city in Bolivia.