Ruqayyah Snyder
La Paz, officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is a city in Bolivia. It is the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucre is the constitutional capital. La Paz is the third-most populous city in Bolivia, with an estimated 816,044 residents as of 2020. It is located in west-central Bolivia, 68km southeast of Lake Titicaca, and is set in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. 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 Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza and has since become an important political, administrative, economic, and cultural centre of Bolivia.
What You'll Learn
La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia
La Paz is the seat of the Bolivian government, housing the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, as well as the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and various government departments and agencies. The city serves as a vital political, administrative, economic, and sports centre for Bolivia. It is the third most populous city in the country, with an estimated 816,044 residents as of 2020. Its metropolitan area, which includes neighbouring cities like El Alto and Viacha, forms the second most populous urban area in Bolivia.
La Paz boasts a unique subtropical highland climate due to its altitude, with rainy summers and dry winters. The city's elevation ranges from 3,250 to 4,100 metres above sea level, making it the world's highest capital city. This elevation provides a stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains and contributes to the city's distinctive atmosphere.
La Paz has a rich history, founded on 20 October 1548, by the Spanish conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza. The city was established at the site of the Inca settlement of Laja and was originally named Nuestra Señora de La Paz, commemorating the restoration of peace following an insurrection. The city's name was later changed to La Paz de Ayacucho in 1825, honouring the decisive battle in the wars of independence.
La Paz is a cultural hub, hosting landmarks from colonial times, such as the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Plaza Murillo. The city is also renowned for its markets, particularly the Witches' Market, and its vibrant nightlife. The topography of La Paz offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding Cordillera Real mountain range.
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It is located in the La Paz Department
La Paz is located in the La Paz Department of Bolivia. The La Paz Department is situated at the western border of Bolivia, with the department sharing Lake Titicaca with neighbouring Peru. The La Paz Department covers an area of 133,985 square kilometres (51,732 sq mi) and had a population of 2,706,359 in the 2012 census. The capital of the department is the city of La Paz, which is also the administrative city and seat of government/national capital of Bolivia.
The La Paz Department is divided into 20 provinces, which are further subdivided into 85 municipalities and then into cantons. The most populous province in the department is Pedro Domingo Murillo, which had a population of 1,561,936 in 2012. The second most populous province is Sud Yungas, which had a population of 54,632 in 2012.
The Cordillera Real mountain range is located in the La Paz Department and reaches altitudes of 6.6 kilometres (22,000 ft). Northeast of the Cordillera Real are the Yungas, the steep eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains that make the transition to the Amazon River basin to the northeast.
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It is the third-most populous city in Bolivia
La Paz, officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is the third-most populous city in Bolivia. It is also the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucre is the constitutional capital and home to the Supreme Court. La Paz is the seat of the government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. It is also the capital of the La Paz Department.
La Paz is located in west-central Bolivia, 68km southeast of Lake Titicaca. It is set in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River, in a bowl-like depression, part of the Amazon basin. The city is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano, including the triple-peaked Illimani, which overlooks the city. At an elevation of roughly 3,650m 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. It was established as a connecting point between the commercial routes that led from Potosí and Oruro to Lima. The full name of the city was originally Nuestra Señora de La Paz (meaning Our Lady of Peace) in commemoration of the restoration of peace following the insurrection of Gonzalo Pizarro and other conquistadors against the first viceroy of Peru. The city was later moved to its present location in the valley of Chuquiago Marka.
La Paz is the site of the Palacio Quemado, the presidential palace, and the Bolivian legislature, the Plurinational Legislative Assembly. It is also a significant political, administrative, economic, and sports centre of Bolivia, generating 24% of the nation's gross domestic product.
La Paz is an important cultural centre of South America. It is home to several landmarks dating from colonial times, such as the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Plaza Murillo, and Jaén Street. The city is renowned for its markets, particularly the Witches' Market, and for its nightlife. La Paz is also situated at the confluence of the archaeological regions of the Tiwanaku and Inca Empire.
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It is one of the highest cities in South America
La Paz is located in Bolivia and is the administrative capital of the country. It is also the capital of the La Paz Department. The city is situated at the western border of Bolivia, sharing Lake Titicaca with neighbouring Peru. La Paz is one of the highest cities in South America, with an elevation of approximately 3,650 metres (11,975 feet) above sea level. It is the highest capital city in the world.
La Paz is set in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River and is surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. The city's altitude results in an unusual subtropical highland climate, with rainy summers and dry winters. The surrounding geography also reflects the city's society. The lower areas of La Paz are home to more affluent residents, while the surrounding hills are lined with makeshift brick houses.
The effects of the high altitude can be felt by visitors to the city, who often experience altitude sickness upon arrival. It is recommended that travellers acclimatise slowly and take precautions such as avoiding strenuous activities and consuming alcohol in moderation. The high altitude also has implications for technology, as standard computer hard drives may be damaged by operating at this elevation.
La Paz's elevation provides stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains. The Mi Teleférico, an urban transit aerial cable car system, offers a unique perspective of the city and is a popular attraction.
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It is renowned for its markets, particularly the Witches' Market
La Paz is the administrative city and seat of government/national capital of Bolivia. It is situated in the La Paz Department of Bolivia, which shares a border with Peru and encompasses 133,985 square kilometres (51,732 sq mi). The department is home to the Cordillera Real mountain range, which reaches altitudes of 6.6 kilometres (22,000 ft).
La Paz is renowned for its markets, particularly the Witches Market (El Mercado de las Brujas or La Hechiceria). This market is located in a mountain clearing in Cerro Cumbre and is run by local witch doctors known as yatiri. The yatiri are easily recognised by their black hats and coca pouches, which contain various items that promise luck, beauty, and fertility.
The Witches Market offers a range of strange and fascinating products, including dried llama fetuses, dried frogs, soapstone figurines, aphrodisiacs, owl feathers, dried turtles and snakes, herbs, and folk remedies. Of these, the most famous item is the dried llama fetus, which is said to bring prosperity and good luck. Llama fetuses are buried under the foundations of new buildings as offerings to Pachamama, the goddess of fertility and mother earth. This practice is believed to keep construction workers safe.
The Witches Market is situated in a lively tourist area, alongside stores selling artesanías (handicrafts). It is an unmissable part of La Paz, providing a unique insight into the rituals and beliefs of the Aymara people.
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Frequently asked questions
La Paz is located in the La Paz Department of Bolivia, in west-central Bolivia, 68km southeast of Lake Titicaca.
La Paz is built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. The city is in a bowl-like depression, part of the Amazon basin, surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. The city's altitude ranges from about 4,058m in El Alto to 3,100m in the lower residential areas.
As of 2020, La Paz has an estimated population of 816,044 residents, making it the third-most populous city in Bolivia. Its metropolitan area, which includes El Alto, Achocalla, Viacha, and Mecapaca, has a population of 2.2 million.
La Paz is the administrative capital and seat of government of Bolivia. The constitutional capital is Sucre, which retains the judicial power.
La Paz is an important cultural center of South America, with several landmarks dating from colonial times, such as the San Francisco Church and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The city is also renowned for its markets, particularly the Witches' Market, and for its nightlife.
