Two Capitals, One Country: A South American Oddity

Bolivia is the only South American country with two capitals. La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, where the seat of government is located. Sucre is the constitutional capital, the first capital, and the only real capital according to the country's latest constitution. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America, despite its rich cultural heritage and significant historical role in the continent's struggle for independence from Spanish rule.

Bolivia's two capitals

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America. It is one of the few countries in the world with two capitals. The country gained independence from Spanish rule in 1825, and was founded as a Republic in the city of Sucre, in the central state of Chuquisaca. Sucre was established as the capital city of Bolivia.

During the colonial rule, silver and tin mining were the country's largest industries. Silver had been mined for several centuries, and tin was a newer industry. Tin and silver were being mined in Potosí, west of Sucre. Many silver mine owners lived in Sucre, and the tin mining families lived in La Paz, with other tin mines nearby.

In 1899, Bolivia's Liberal Party and Conservative Party clashed in a struggle for political power. The Conservatives were supported by Sucre's silver owners and large landowners. The Liberals, backed by the tin mine owners, overthrew the Conservatives and pushed to move the country's seat of government to La Paz.

An agreement was reached, and La Paz became the seat of the executive and legislative branches of the Bolivian government, while the judicial branch remained in Sucre. Sucre is the constitutional and legal capital, and La Paz is the administrative and de facto capital.

La Paz is the world's highest administrative capital, situated between 10,650 and 13,250 feet (3,250 and 4,100 meters) above sea level. The city was founded in 1548 as Nuestra Señora de La Paz ("Our Lady of Peace") by the Spanish conquistador, Captain Alonso de Mendoza, on the site of an Inca village. La Paz is the seat of the Bolivian government and is home to the Plaza Murillo, the heart of the city, and the site of the modern cathedral and government and legislative palaces.

Sucre, the first capital of Bolivia, was founded by the Spanish in the first half of the 16th century. It is located in the southern highlands of Bolivia, at an elevation of 2,810 meters. The city has whitewashed architecture and centuries of history.

Sucre: the constitutional capital

Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia, a country in South America. It is located in the south-central part of the country, in a valley crossed by the Cachimayo River, and has a population of around 238,798 people. The city is elevated at 2,790 metres (9,150 feet) above sea level, giving it a subtropical highland climate with cool temperatures all year round.

Sucre is an important city in Bolivia, serving as an educational and governmental centre, as well as being home to the Bolivian Supreme Court. The city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its well-preserved Hispanic colonial and republican architecture. Sucre's University is one of the oldest in the Americas.

The city was founded in 1538 or 1539 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Anzúrez on the site of an Inca town called Chuquisaca. The city has had several names over the centuries, including La Plata, Charcas, and Chuquisaca. In 1839, the city was renamed Sucre in honour of the revolutionary leader Antonio José de Sucre, and it became the capital of Bolivia. However, in 1898, the seat of government was moved to La Paz, though Sucre remained the constitutional capital and the seat of the Supreme Court.

Today, Sucre is a popular destination for both foreigners and Bolivians due to its pleasant climate, low crime rates, and historical significance.

La Paz: the administrative capital

Bolivia is the South American country with two capitals. La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucre is the constitutional capital. La Paz is the seat of the government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. The city is located in west-central Bolivia, 68 kilometres 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, surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. At an elevation of roughly 3,650 metres 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 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 fellow 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. It is also the seat of the Bolivian legislature, the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, and numerous government departments and agencies. The city hosts all the foreign embassies as well as international missions in the country. La Paz is an important political, administrative, economic, and sports centre of Bolivia. It is also a significant cultural centre of South America, with several landmarks dating from colonial times, such as the San Francisco Church, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Plaza Murillo and Jaén Street.

La Paz is the third-most populous city in Bolivia, with an estimated 816,044 residents as of 2020. 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.

The difference between Sucre and La Paz

Bolivia is the South American country with two capitals: Sucre and La Paz.

Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia, located in the south-central part of the country. It is the sixth most populous city in Bolivia and is considered the symbolic heart of the nation. Sucre is also the capital city of the department of Chuquisaca. The city is known for its gorgeous town centre and pleasant climate, and is regarded by many as Bolivia's most beautiful city. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its well-preserved Hispanic colonial and republican architecture. Sucre is the seat of the judiciary and the Bolivian Supreme Court. The city has a predominantly Quechua background, with some Aymara communities and influences.

La Paz, on the other hand, is the administrative capital of Bolivia. It is the highest national capital in the world, with an altitude ranging from about 4,058 m (13,313 ft) in El Alto to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) in the lower residential areas. The city is renowned for its unique markets, vibrant nightlife, and unusual topography, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. La Paz is the seat of the executive and legislative branches of the Bolivian government. It is the political and financial centre of Bolivia, contributing to 27% of the country's GDP.

In summary, Sucre is the constitutional capital, while La Paz is the administrative capital and the seat of government. Sucre is known for its historical and cultural significance, pleasant climate, and well-preserved colonial architecture, whereas La Paz stands out for its breathtaking setting, dynamic atmosphere, and economic importance as the financial centre of Bolivia.

Bolivia's history and culture

Bolivia is a country in South America with two capitals: Sucre, the constitutional capital, and La Paz, the administrative capital. Wrapped in the snowy peaks of the Andes Mountains, La Paz is a show-stopper of a capital city. Cable cars drift above a tangle of downtown streets, and an independent populace fills historic squares during frequent protests. Meanwhile, Sucre is an Andean city with whitewashed architecture and centuries of history.

History

The history of Bolivia involves thousands of years of human habitation. The first inhabitants of Bolivia were nomadic hunter-gatherers who came across the Bering Strait. It is believed that these first Asian colonizers reached the South American continent by 12,000 BC. This initial settlement period lasted until about 1400 BC when a more highly advanced culture, the Chavin, began spreading their influence from coastal Peru throughout the Andes. Around 300 BC, the Chavin disappeared, and in their place rose the Tiahuanco culture of the Bolivian Altiplano. During the next 1,000 years, the Tiahuanaco culture prospered and advanced in art, agriculture and architecture until it rivalled that of ancient Egypt. Eventually, the Tiahuanaco civilization began to fade, giving way to the Incas of Peru.

The Incas themselves were soon conquered by the Spanish, led by Francisco Pizarro, in the early 16th century. The region that now makes up Bolivia fell under the Viceroyalty of Peru and was known as Upper Peru. In 1776, Upper Peru was transferred to the newly established Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata, with its capital in Buenos Aires.

In the late 18th century, an indigenous revolt against the Spanish authorities was led by Túpac Amaru II. Upper Peru joined the Spanish-American wars of independence in the early 19th century, and the Bolivian Republic was established in 1824 or 1825, named after Simón Bolívar.

Bolivia faced significant losses in the 19th century due to wars against neighbouring countries, including the War of the Pacific with Chile, which resulted in Bolivia losing its coastline and access to the sea. Bolivia also faced defeat in the Chaco War against Paraguay in the 1930s.

The country fell into military rule and experienced a series of coups until a transition to democratic government in the 1980s, which struggled with a rapidly deteriorating economy. Bolivian politics in the 21st century would be dominated by Evo Morales until he resigned in 2019 amid a political crisis.

Culture

Bolivia is nicknamed the Tibet of the Americas and is the highest and most isolated country in the Americas. With elevations ranging from sea level to over 21,000 feet, the country offers a diverse array of ecosystems and stunning scenery. Bolivia also has the largest indigenous population in the Americas, with over 50% of its population maintaining traditional lifestyles and beliefs.

The combination of Indian and European cultural influences in Bolivia has produced a thriving artistic community, with prominent forms including painting, sculpture, classical and traditional music, and folk dancing. Numerous theatres and art galleries in the major cities showcase traditional Bolivian art and music.

Bolivian food consists mainly of meat, potatoes, corn pancakes, rice, eggs, and vegetables. Local specialties include pique a lo macho (grilled beef and sausage), lechón (suckling pig), and cuy (whole roasted guinea pig).

The predominant religion in Bolivia is Roman Catholicism, with a scattering of other Protestant groups. Indigenous Bolivians have blended Catholicism and their traditional religious beliefs, such as the unification of Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) and the Virgin Mary in religious artwork.

Frequently asked questions