La Paz

La Paz
Name	La Paz
Settlement type	City
Coordinates	16, 30, S, 68...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Bolivia
Subdivision type1	Department
Subdivision name1	La Paz Department
Subdivision type2	Province
Subdivision name2	Pedro Domingo Murillo Province
Established title	Founded
Established date	October 20, 1548
Founder	Alonso de Mendoza
Government type	Autonomous city
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Iván Arias
Area total km2	472
Elevation m	3640
Population total	816,044
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	auto
Population metro	2,187,223
Timezone	BOT
Utc offset	-4
Website	www.lapaz.bo

La Paz. Officially known as Nuestra Señora de La Paz, it is the seat of government and the de facto capital of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Founded in 1548 by Spanish conquistador Alonso de Mendoza, the city is situated in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River and is renowned as the highest administrative capital in the world, with its El Alto international airport lying at over 4,000 meters above sea level. La Paz is a vibrant political, cultural, and economic hub, home to key institutions like the Palacio Quemado and the Plaza Murillo, and serves as a gateway to the Andes and the Amazon basin.

History

The site was part of the Inca Empire before the Spanish conquest, with the area known as Chuquiago Marka. The modern city was established on October 20, 1548, by Alonso de Mendoza under orders from Pedro de la Gasca to commemorate the peace following the Battle of Jaquijahuana. During the colonial era, it became an important stop on the trade route for silver mined from Potosí to the Viceroyalty of Peru. La Paz was a central scene in the Bolivian War of Independence, with the 1809 La Paz revolution being a significant early uprising. Following independence, the city became the seat of government in 1898 after the Federal War, though Sucre remained the constitutional capital. The 20th century saw significant growth, including the rise of the neighboring city of El Alto, and pivotal political events like the Bolivian National Revolution of 1952.

Geography and climate

The city is built in a dramatic canyon of the Choqeyapu River on the Altiplano, flanked by the high peaks of the Cordillera Real, including the iconic Illimani. Its elevation ranges from about 3,200 meters in the lower residential zones to over 4,000 meters in El Alto. This topography creates a unique subtropical highland climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Temperatures vary significantly with altitude, and the city experiences cool temperatures year-round, with the sunniest months coinciding with the drier winter period from May to August.

Government and politics

As the seat of the national government, La Paz houses the executive and legislative branches, including the Palacio Quemado (Presidential Palace) and the Plurinational Legislative Assembly. The city itself is governed as an autonomous municipality under the Autonomías Indígenas Originario Campesinas framework, with a mayor and a municipal council. It is the political heart of Bolivia, witnessing major events like the Water War in 2000 and the Gas Conflict in 2003. Key political figures such as Evo Morales have governed from here, and institutions like the Supreme Tribunal of Justice are based in the city.

Economy

La Paz is the nation's primary financial and commercial center. While historically tied to mining, its modern economy is dominated by commerce, services, and public administration. The city hosts the headquarters of major corporations and banks, and its informal economy is vast, exemplified by the sprawling El Alto Market. Key industries include textiles, food processing, and construction. Tourism is a growing sector, with visitors drawn to sites like the Witches' Market and as a base for adventures to Lake Titicaca, the Death Road, and the Yungas region.

Culture and society

The city is a cultural mosaic, blending Aymara, Quechua, and mestizo traditions with colonial Spanish influences. Major cultural institutions include the National Museum of Art, the Museo de la Coca, and the Teatro Municipal Alberto Saavedra Pérez. Annual festivals like the Alasitas fair, dedicated to Ekeko, and the grandiose Carnaval de Oruro procession are highlights. La Paz is also an educational hub, home to the prestigious Universidad Mayor de San Andrés and the Bolivian Catholic University.

Transport

Transport is defined by the city's extreme topography. El Alto International Airport is one of the world's highest commercial airports. The city's innovative Mi Teleférico cable car system, one of the most extensive urban cable networks globally, connects La Paz with El Alto and traverses the metropolitan area. A network of buses, minibuses (known as *micros*), and taxis serve the city, while the main intercity bus terminal provides routes across Bolivia and to neighboring countries like Peru and Chile. The challenging North Yungas Road was once a notorious transport link to the lowlands.

Category:Capitals in South America Category:Populated places in La Paz Department (Bolivia) Category:1548 establishments in the Spanish Empire