La Paz
La Paz | |
---|---|
Mount Illimani | |
Bolivia Time) | |
• Summer (DST) | (Not Observed) |
Postal code | 0201-0220 |
Area code | 2 |
ISO 3166 code | BO-L |
HDI (2016) | 0.827 (Very High)[3] |
Website | www |
La Paz, officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is the seat of government of the
The city, in west-central Bolivia 68 km (42 mi) southeast of
La Paz was founded on 20 October 1548, by the Spanish
As the seat of the government of Bolivia, 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 constitutional capital of Bolivia, Sucre, retains the judicial power.[10] 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 center of Bolivia; it generates 24% of the nation's gross domestic product and serves as the headquarters for numerous Bolivian companies and industries.[11]
La Paz is also an important cultural center of
Name and toponyms
The Spanish conquistadors founded the city in 1548 with the name Nuestra Señora de La Paz (meaning
In 1825, after the decisive victory of the republicans at Ayacucho over the Spanish army in the course of the Spanish American wars of independence, the city's full name was changed to La Paz de Ayacucho (meaning The Peace of Ayacucho).
The region in which La Paz is located in was known as Chuquiago Marka (marka means village;[16] Chuqi Yapu means 'gold farm', probably due to the exploitation of gold nuggets in the small rivers of the place;[17] spelling differences due to Aymara writing compared to Spanish transliteration) in the Aymara language, leading former President of Bolivia Evo Morales to suggest renaming the city to "Chuquiago Marka" in a speech in 2017.[18][19]
History
This area had been the site of an Inca city on a major trading route.
Although the
Control over the former
In 1549, Juan Gutierrez Paniagua was commanded to design an urban plan that would designate sites for public areas, plazas, official buildings, and a cathedral. These were meant to express the ideals and relationships of Spanish colonial society.[citation needed] La Plaza de los Españoles, which is known today as the Plaza Murillo, was chosen as the location for government buildings as well as the Metropolitan Cathedral.[citation needed]
Pedro Domingo Murillo was hanged at the Plaza de los Españoles several months later, on 29 January 1810.[citation needed] After Bolivia gained independence, La Paz named this plaza after him, to commemorate him always. He is remembered as the voice of revolution across South America.
In 1898, La Paz was made the
The
Geography
La Paz is in the valleys of the Andes, close to the Eastern split of the Altiplano region. The metropolitan area is near to the Cordillera Real range, which includes such notable mountains as
.La Paz is built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River (now mostly built over), which runs northwest to southeast. The city's main thoroughfare, which roughly follows the river, changes names over its length, but the central tree-lined section running through the downtown core is called the Prado.
The geography of La Paz (in particular the altitude) is marked by social differences. The more affluent residents live in the lower, central areas of the city southwest of the Prado. Many middle-class residents live in high-rise condos near the center. Lower-income residents live in makeshift brick houses in the surrounding hills. The satellite city of El Alto, where the airport is, is spread over a broad area to the west of the canyon, on the Altiplano.
An earthquake in July 1994 rated at 8.2 struck 200 miles (322 km) north of La Paz. It could be felt near La Paz and caused damage throughout the villages of the area. In February 2002 the city was subjected to a hail and rainstorm that resulted in flooding causing serious damage and over 50 deaths.[23]
Climate
La Paz (Laikakota Park) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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At more than 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) above sea level, higher parts of La Paz have a subalpine subtropical highland climate (Köppen: Cwc), bordering on a tundra climate (Köppen: ET). At this altitude, night-time temperatures range from cold to very cold. Snow flurries can occur in winter, especially at dawn and usually melts before noon. Despite being located only 16 degrees from the equator, this part of the city has average temperatures similar to that of cities such as Bergen, Norway or Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
Temperatures in central La Paz, at 3,600 meters (11,811 feet), and in the Zona Sur (Southern Zone), at 3,250 m (10,663 ft) above sea level are warmer and are classified as subtropical highland climates (Köppen: Cwb).[24] Heavy precipitation typically occurs throughout summer, and often causes destructive mudslides. At an altitude of 3,250 meters, in the southern part of the city, the wettest month is January with a monthly average of 114 mm (4.5 in), and the driest is July with 8 mm (0.3 in).
The whole city has rainy summers and dry winters. The city has a relatively dry climate, with rainfall occurring mainly in the slightly warmer months of November to March. Heavy precipitation typically occurs throughout summer, and often causes destructive mudslides. The wettest month is January with a monthly average of 100–140 mm (3.9–5.5 in) of precipitation, and the driest months are June and July with around 5 mm (0.2 in) of precipitation.
In the highest part of the city, above 4,000 meters, the two cloudiest months are February and March, in late summer, when sunshine averages around 5 hours per day. The two sunniest months are June and July, in winter, when sunshine averages around 8 hours per day.[25]
Climate data for El Alto, Bolivia (El Alto International Airport, elevation 4,058 m) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 25.4 (77.7) |
22.8 (73.0) |
25.1 (77.2) |
22.9 (73.2) |
24.0 (75.2) |
20.0 (68.0) |
23.0 (73.4) |
21.0 (69.8) |
23.0 (73.4) |
23.0 (73.4) |
24.2 (75.6) |
22.0 (71.6) |
25.4 (77.7) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 14.3 (57.7) |
14.3 (57.7) |
14.2 (57.6) |
14.4 (57.9) |
14.4 (57.9) |
14.0 (57.2) |
13.5 (56.3) |
13.7 (56.7) |
15.3 (59.5) |
15.3 (59.5) |
17.0 (62.6) |
15.7 (60.3) |
15.0 (59.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 9.3 (48.7) |
9.0 (48.2) |
8.9 (48.0) |
8.8 (47.8) |
8.2 (46.8) |
7.3 (45.1) |
6.8 (44.2) |
8.2 (46.8) |
8.7 (47.7) |
10.0 (50.0) |
10.5 (50.9) |
9.7 (49.5) |
8.8 (47.8) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 4.4 (39.9) |
4.4 (39.9) |
3.6 (38.5) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
−4.3 (24.3) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−3 (27) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
1.5 (34.7) |
2.1 (35.8) |
3.6 (38.5) |
0.5 (32.9) |
Record low °C (°F) | −3.3 (26.1) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
−4.7 (23.5) |
−10.3 (13.5) |
−12.4 (9.7) |
−11.9 (10.6) |
−10 (14) |
−10 (14) |
−5.4 (22.3) |
−5 (23) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−12.4 (9.7) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 133.7 (5.26) |
104.7 (4.12) |
71.7 (2.82) |
31.7 (1.25) |
14.3 (0.56) |
5.1 (0.20) |
7.1 (0.28) |
15.2 (0.60) |
35.5 (1.40) |
38.1 (1.50) |
50.5 (1.99) |
94.9 (3.74) |
602.5 (23.72) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 20.7 | 15.8 | 14.2 | 9.8 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 5.1 | 8.2 | 10.4 | 11.5 | 15.5 | 120.3 |
Average snowy days | 0.07 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.03 | 0.0 | 0.03 | 0.13 | 0.67 | 0.37 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.03 | 1.67 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
66 | 72 | 67 | 59 | 48 | 42 | 43 | 42 | 48 | 49 | 51 | 60 | 54 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 179.8 | 155.4 | 148.8 | 165.0 | 229.4 | 240.0 | 235.6 | 226.3 | 192.0 | 179.8 | 171.0 | 180.0 | 2,303.1 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 5.8 | 5.5 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 6.4 | 5.8 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.3 |
Source 1: Deutscher Wetterdienst,[26] Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología de Bolivia (snowy days 1981–2010)[27] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Meteo Climat (extremes 1942–present)[28] |
Climate data for La Paz (Laikakota Park), elevation: 3,650 m, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1945–present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 26.5 (79.7) |
25.5 (77.9) |
26.0 (78.8) |
25.0 (77.0) |
25.0 (77.0) |
23.8 (74.8) |
23.1 (73.6) |
24.3 (75.7) |
26.6 (79.9) |
26.5 (79.7) |
27.1 (80.8) |
27.2 (81.0) |
27.2 (81.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 18.5 (65.3) |
18.7 (65.7) |
18.9 (66.0) |
19.2 (66.6) |
19.1 (66.4) |
17.8 (64.0) |
17.4 (63.3) |
18.4 (65.1) |
19.0 (66.2) |
19.8 (67.6) |
20.4 (68.7) |
20.0 (68.0) |
18.9 (66.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 12.9 (55.2) |
13.0 (55.4) |
13.0 (55.4) |
12.7 (54.9) |
11.8 (53.2) |
10.5 (50.9) |
10.1 (50.2) |
11.0 (51.8) |
11.9 (53.4) |
13.0 (55.4) |
13.7 (56.7) |
13.7 (56.7) |
12.3 (54.1) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 7.4 (45.3) |
7.3 (45.1) |
7.2 (45.0) |
6.3 (43.3) |
4.6 (40.3) |
3.3 (37.9) |
2.8 (37.0) |
3.7 (38.7) |
4.8 (40.6) |
6.2 (43.2) |
7.0 (44.6) |
7.5 (45.5) |
5.7 (42.3) |
Record low °C (°F) | 1.5 (34.7) |
2.0 (35.6) |
1.1 (34.0) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−6.0 (21.2) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
0.0 (32.0) |
0.5 (32.9) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−6.0 (21.2) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 125.5 (4.94) |
81.0 (3.19) |
67.5 (2.66) |
27.1 (1.07) |
8.9 (0.35) |
7.9 (0.31) |
5.3 (0.21) |
12.1 (0.48) |
24.5 (0.96) |
37.8 (1.49) |
43.9 (1.73) |
82.3 (3.24) |
523.8 (20.62) |
Average precipitation days | 21.3 | 17.0 | 15.4 | 8.6 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 3.9 | 6.7 | 10.7 | 11.4 | 16.1 | 119.0 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
72.0 | 72.2 | 70.5 | 66.2 | 54.8 | 48.3 | 50.4 | 52.0 | 58.1 | 56.5 | 58.8 | 64.3 | 60.0 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 145.4 | 158.4 | 167.9 | 187.6 | 245.7 | 238.3 | 240.9 | 250.1 | 232.0 | 215.5 | 181.5 | 171.2 | 2,434.5 |
Mean daily sunshine hours | 5.0 | 5.9 | 5.9 | 6.6 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 8.8 | 8.5 | 8.2 | 7.4 | 6.8 | 6.0 | 7.1 |
Source: Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología de Bolivia[27] |
Districts and neighborhoods
La Paz's districts | |||||||
# | District | Population | Area (km2) | Type | Map | ||
1 | Mallasa | 5,082 | 32,68 | Urbano | |||
2 | Zona Sur | 127,228 | 64,15 | Urbano | |||
3 | San Antonio | 115,659 | 22,59 | Urbano | |||
4 | Periférica | 159,123 | 26,05 | Urbano | |||
5 | Max Paredes | 164,566 | 13,31 | Urbano | |||
6 | Centro | 64,272 | 5,22 | Urbano | |||
7 | Cotahuma | 153,655 | 16,10 | Urbano | |||
23 | Zongo | Rural | |||||
22 | Hampaturi | Rural |
La Paz's neighborhoods | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
# | District | Map | Neighborhoods | Main streets |
1 | Mallasa | Amor de Dios • Mallasa • Muela del Diablo • Mallasilla • Jupapina | Carretera principal Rio abajo | |
2 | Zona Sur | Obrajes • Bella Vista • Bolonia • Irpavi • Calacoto • Cota Cota • Achumani • Ovejuyo • Koani • La Florida • Seguencoma • San Miguel | Avenida Ballivián | |
3 | San Antonio | San Antonio • Villa Copacabana • Pampahasi • Valle Hermoso • Kupini • Villa Armonía • Callapa, •San Isidro | Avenida cd del niño | |
4 | Periférica | Achachicala • Chuquiaguillo • Villa Fátima • Vino Tinto •5 Dedos • Santiago de Lacaya • Rosasani | Avenida Grl Juan Jose Torres | |
5 | Max Paredes | Munaypata • La Portada • El Tejar • Gran Poder • Obispo Indaburu • Chamoco Chico • Munaypata • Pura Pura • Ciudadela Ferroviaria | Avenida Naciones Unidas | |
6 | Zona Centro | Casco Urbano Central • San Jorge • Miraflores • Barrio Gráfico • San Sebastián • Santa Bárbara • Parque Urbano Central | Avenida Arce • Avenida 16 de Julio | |
7 | Cotahuma | Sopocachi • Alto Sopocachi • Pasankeri • Tembladerani • Alpacoma • Belén • Tacagua • San Pedro • Bajo Llojeta | Avenida Buenos Aires |
Main neighborhoods and zones
- San Jorge
- Sopocachi
- Located in the 1st District (Cotahuma), Sopocachi is probably one of the oldest residential neighborhoods, 10 minutes from the center of the city. Despite the expansion and development of the area, this quarter maintained its residential property. In the last years, there has been an important commercial expansion, mainly on the surroundings of Abaroa Square, one of the many squares and parks of the zone.
- San Pedro
- Located in the 1st District (Cotahuma), on the right bank of the Choqueyapu River and built around the "Plaza de San Pedro" (official name: Plaza Sucre, Sucre Square), is home to numerous shops, businesses and small enterprises, especially printing, spare parts and auto maintenance and repair shops. San Pedro's "Rodriguez Market" remains as one of the most popular middle-class and oldest of the city. The San Pedro prisonis here.
- Centro
- The city's downtown area, in the 7th District, comprising the center of La Paz and principal roads of the city, like Arce Avenue, 16 July Avenue (also known as "Prado Avenue"), Mariscal Santa Cruz Avenue and Camacho Avenue – the last one being the home of the headquarters of the principal banks and companies of the country.
- Casco Viejo
- Located in the 7th District, is the historic and ancient center of La Paz. It now houses museums, hotels, shops and buildings as the Mayor City of La Paz and the Central Bank of Bolivia. In the Old Quarter is the Plaza Murillo, which is home to the Government Palace and the National Congress.
- Miraflores
- In the 7th District, Miraflores district is separated from downtown by a long barrel (Parque Urbano Central, "Central Urban Park") and connected by the Bridge of the Americas and two avenues. Originally a residential zone, its growth has led it to become a major recreational center. It houses universities (including the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés's faculty of medicine), hospitals and the Estadio Hernando Siles(capacity of 45,000 people).
- Northern District
- Located in the 2nd and 3rd districts, it has a significant industrial activity (mainly food), being the Cervecería Boliviana Nacional (Bolivian National Brewery) the most significant industry founded by Germans, and one of the city's biggest companies in the country. It connects La Paz with the city of El Alto by the autopista (highway).
- Southern District
Cityscape
Colonial architecture
The city of La Paz has a consistently decreasing volume of colonial buildings, mostly centered around the vicinity of the Plaza Murillo. Due to a lack of funds and the inability of property owners to pay for restorations to colonial buildings, many have been torn down, or are in a dilapidated state. As historic buildings are more expensive to keep, land owners find it less of a burden to construct more modern buildings as opposed to keeping the old ones. Although there has been an increasing number of projects and propositions to restore some of the city's colonial buildings, the future of these historic edifices remains uncertain.
Economy
The economy of La Paz has improved greatly in recent years,[when?] mainly as a result of improved political stability. Due to the long period of high inflation and economic struggle faced by Bolivians in the 1980s and early 1990s, a large informal economy developed. Evidence of this is provided by the markets found all around the city. While there are stable markets, almost every street in the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods has at least one vendor on it.
La Paz remains the principal center of manufacturing enterprises that produce finished-product goods for the country, with about two-thirds of Bolivia's manufacturing located nearby. Historically, industry in Bolivia has been dominated by mineral processing and the preparation of agricultural products. However, in the urban center of La Paz, small plants carry out a large portion of the industry. Food, tobacco products, clothing, various consumer goods, building materials, and agricultural tools are produced. "The tin quotations from London are watched in La Paz with close interest as an index of the country's prosperity; a third of the national revenue and more than half of the total customs in 1925 were derived from tin; in short, that humble but indispensable metal is the hub around which Bolivia's economic life revolves. The tin deposits of Bolivia, second largest in the world, ... invite development."
Sports
La Paz is the home of some of the biggest football teams in Bolivia.
- Club Bolívar : Founded in 1925, it was named in honor of the Libertador Simón Bolívar, the team has won most of the tournaments national and international championships in the last 20 years, and is the largest team, by number of fans, of the country. The year 1964 was a bad year, as it was relegated from the top division, playing the next year in the second division. But it soon returned to the top flight.
- The Strongest : Founded in 1908 the club hosts some of its games and trains on their home stadium named Rafael Mendoza after Don Rafael Mendoza, one of the most important presidents of the club. In 1968 an airplane accident took the life of almost all the players, but Rafael Mendoza made many efforts that allowed the team to rise again as one of the most important in the country.
- La Paz F.C. : Founded in 1989, the club quickly rose through the ranks to become the third major club in the capital, only behind in popularity to the two well-established city rivals.
The city is host to several other teams that play in the first and second divisions such as:
- Academia de Balompié Boliviano
- Always Ready
- Chaco Petrolero
- Club 31 de Octubre
- Deportivo Municipal de La Paz
- Fraternidad Tigres
- Mariscal Braun
- Universitario de La Paz
- Club Unión Maestranza
With the exception of Deportivo Municipal and Unión Maestranza, all the other teams play the majority of their games in the city stadium, the Estadio Hernando Siles, which also hosts the national football team and international games. Always Ready frequently play at the Estadio Rafael Mendoza which belongs to The Strongest, who rarely use the stadium due to its relatively small capacity.
Education
The city hosts some of the most important universities of the country:
Foundation | University | World Ranking 2012 (CSIC Webometrics)[30] | Latin American Ranking 2012 (CSIC Webometrics)[31] | Academic Production(Ranking Scimago Lab) | National Ranking[30] | Logo | Web | ||
1830-10-25 | Universidad Mayor de San Andrés |
UMSA | Estatal | 2266 | 182 | – | 2 | UMSA | |
1994-03-21 | Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo |
UCB | Privada | 3449 | 308 | – | 3 | UCB | |
– | Universidad Central de Bolivia | UNICEN | Privada | 4919 | 489 | – | 5 | UNICEN | |
– | Universidad Privada del Valle | UPV | Privada | 7686 | 757 | – | 8 | UPV | |
– | UP Boliviana | UPB | Privada | 8206 | 822 | – | 9 | Universidad Privada Boliviana | |
1950 | Escuela Militar de Ingeniería | EMI | Estatal | 10670 | 1103 | – | 13 | EMI | |
– | Universidad Salesiana de Bolivia | Privada | 11280 | 1174 | – | 16 | Salesiana | ||
– | Universidad Nur Bolivia | Privada | 12461 | 1333 | – | 18 | NUR | ||
– | Universidad Loyola | Privada | 13398 | 1499 | – | 20 | Loyola | ||
– | Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar Bolivia | UASB | Estatal | 13418 | 1506 | – | 21 | UASB |
Tourism
La Paz is an important cultural center of Bolivia. The city hosts several cathedrals belonging to the colonial times, such as the San Francisco Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral, this last one located on Murillo Square, which is also home of the political and administrative power of the country. Hundreds of different museums can be found across the city, the most notable ones on Jaén Street, which street design has been preserved from the Spanish days and is home of 10 different museums.
The home of the Bolivian government is located on Murillo Square and is known as "Palacio Quemado" (Burnt Palace) as it has been on fire several times. The palace has been restored many times since, but the name has remained untouched.
Principal attractions
Museums and cultural centers
- The former home of Pedro Domingo Murillo, martyr of the independence revolution of 1809, has been preserved and is now a museum. The house displays a collection of furniture, textiles, and art from colonial times.
- Museo Costumbrista: Displays ceramic dolls wearing traditional customs that show how was life in the early 19th century. Also on display are photos of old La Paz.
- Museo Nacional de Arqueología (National Museum of Archeology): Depicts a collection of artifacts of the Tiawanakuculture.
- Museo del Litoral (Museum of the Litoral Coastal Region): Displays objects from the 1879 war in which Bolivia lost its sea coast to Chile.
- Museo del Oro (Gold Museum): Depicts pre-Conquest works made of gold, silver and copper.
- Museo de Etnografía y Folklore (Ethnography and Folkolore Museum): Located in a house built during the late 18th century, it exhibits customs and art of two ethnic groups: Chipayas and Ayoreos.
- Museo del Charango (Museum of Charango): Located in Calle Linares, the museum displays an important variety of charangos. Other native instruments are displayed as well.
- Museo de Historia Natural (Natural History Museum): Exhibits on Bolivian paleontology, geology, zoology and botanical elements of interest.
- Casa Museo Marina Nuñez del Prado (Marina Nuñez del Prado House Museum): Displays Quechua and Aymara-theme sculptures by Bolivian artist Marina Nuñez del Prado.
- Museo Nacional de Arte (National Art Museum): Located in Calle Comercio, on a former palace built in 1775, displays works by Melchor Perez de Holguín and Marina Nuñez del Prado, among others.
- Mercado de Brujas (Witches' Market): Merchandise sold here includes herbs, remedies as well as other ingredients used in Aymara traditions.
- Feria de Alasitas: This fair is celebrated for two weeks each year, beginning 24 January. The central figure is a little god of abundance known as Ekeko, which means dwarf in Aymara.
- Museo San Francisco Cultural Center
Churches and cathedrals
- Metropolitan Cathedral, built in 1835 and located next to the Presidential Palace, on Murillo Square;
- San Francisco Church, founded in 1548 and rebuilt 1784.
- San Jose of the Recoleta Church, founded in 1896 and completed in 1930.
- Parroquia Señor de la Exaltación, founded in 1956.
Other attractions
- Bolivian Presidential Palace, also known as "Burned Palace".
- Parque Urbano Central (Central Urban Park)
- Valle de la Luna (Bolivia)
- El Montículo
- Mirador Laikakota
- Mirador Killi Killi
Food
Popular food from La Paz includes:
- Marraqueta
- Plato Paceño
- Salteña
- Fricasé
- Picante Mixto
- Api and Pastel
- Llaucha
- Papa Rellena
- Ranga ranga
- Chairo
- Sandwich de Chola
- Anticucho
Local festivals
- January: Achocalla Festival: Occurs during the first week of January. The city of La Paz comes together to celebrate this religious festival with traditional dances, music, and a parade. In Bolivia's harvest calendar, Achocalla marks the time when potato fields begin to bloom. People dance the traditional folklore dance known as “tarqueada” during the festival.
- 24 January: Alasitas is a yearly fair where people buy miniature gifts and praise the god of prosperity, Ekeko. The fair begins every 24 January and lasts for a month. In 2017, it has been included into the Intangible Cultural World Heritage of UNESCO.[32]
- 2 February: Virgen de Copacabana, (Villa Copacabana)
- 1 May: San José Obrero (V. Nuevo Potosí)
- 3 May: Señor de la Santa Cruz (Calvario, Tacagua, Calacoto)
- 13 May: Virgen de Fátima (Villa Fátima)
- 14 May: San Isidro, Labrador (San Isidro)
- 17 May: Señor de la Sentencia (Villa Armonía)
- May: Santísima Trinidad del Señor Jesús del Gran Poder (movible, Gran Poder) La Fiesta del Gran Poder occurs on Trinity Sunday. Therefore, it happens on different dates every year. But the festival typically occurs during late May to early June. This festival pays homage to El Señor del Gran Poder. During the festival, over 30,000 dancers take the streets of La Paz performing dances with themes that represent both Aymara folktales and Catholic traditions. The dancers wear colorful homemade costumes. The Parade lasts all day throughout the night. In 2019, it has been included into the Intangible Cultural World Heritage of UNESCO.[33]
- 13 June: San Antonio de Padua (San Antonio)
- 24 June: San Juan Bautista (Valle Hermoso, San Juan)
- 29 June: San Pedro Apóstol (San Pedro)
- 16 July: Virgen del Carmen, Patroness of Bolivia and the Armed Forces of the Nation Efemerides of La Paz
- 25 July: Apóstol Santiago (Munaypata, Pampahasi, Pasankeri, Periférica, Alto Delicias)
- 15 August: Virgen de Urqupiña (Urkupiña)
- 15 August: Virgen de la Asunción (Villa Victoria)
- 8 September: Virgen de las Nieves (V. Copacabana, M. Paredes, La Portada, Achachicala, Alto Irpavi, Cotahuma, Las Nieves)
- 8 September: Virgen de los Remedios(Miraflores)
- 14 September: Señor de la Exaltación (Obrajes, G. de Lima, Bajo Tejar, Vino Tinto)
- 24 September: Virgen de la Merced (Cota Cota)
- 7 October: Virgen del Rosario (El Rosario)
- November: Cristo Rey (Pura Pura)
- 4 December: Santa Barbara (Santa Bárbara, Llojeta)
- 8 December: Virgen de la Concepción (Kupini, Sopocachi, Achumani)
Transportation
Automobiles and
Highways
The La Paz-El Alto Highway is a toll road that connects the city of La Paz with the neighboring city of El Alto. It is the city's main highway. It allows easy access to El Alto International Airport. The highway runs 11,7 km and crosses the city of El Alto:
- Autopista La Paz-El Alto/RN-3 (La Paz-El Alto Highway) – Connects La Paz with El Alto.
The Southern District, one of La Paz's most affluent and commercial neighborhoods, is relatively separated from the rest of the city, including the
Air
International carriers serving El Alto International Airport include Avianca and LATAM Airlines, which offer direct flights from La Paz to cities such as Bogotá, Lima, and Santiago. However, most international traffic, including flights to Europe, operated out of Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra which is at a much lower altitude and is capable of handling larger aircraft.
Additionally, the airport supplies travelers with oxygen for those who suffer from altitude sickness.
Bus
La Paz Bus Station, originally a bus and train station, was built by the French architect
Departures to smaller cities and towns within the department use informal stations located in Villa Fátima (departures to Los Yungas,
Cable car system
A system of urban transit
Line | Length | Travel time | Stations | opened |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red Line | 2.4 km | 10 min | 3 | May 2014 |
Yellow Line | 3.9 km | 13.5 min | 4 | September 2014 |
Green Line | 3.7 km | 16.6 min | 4 | December 2014 |
Blue Line | 4.7 km | 17 min | 5 | March 2017 |
Orange Line | 2.6 km | 10 min | 4 | September 2017 |
White Line | 2.9 km | 13.1 min | 4 | March 2018 |
Sky Blue Line | 2.6 km | 11.8 min | 4 | July 2018 |
Purple Line | 4.3 km | 16.2 min | 3 | September 2018 |
Communications and media
- The postal service is run by ECOBOL (National Company) which has its headquarters in La Paz. There are other companies offering courier and transport logistics courier nationally and internationally.
- The private telecommunications company 'cell phone, data and voice services. The telephone cooperative Cotel is responsible for managing much of their phones and now offers Internet services and cable television among others.
- Area Code: 2
- Country Code: 591
- The main daily newspapers in circulation are: Página Siete, La Razon, El Diario, La Prensa, Jornada and El Alteño. Other papers of local importance are: Extra and Gente. There are also several other publications and weekly magazines.
- There are 18 television channels with offices in La Paz. Channel 7 is state property. The main ones are: Universidad Mayor de San Andres. Two local companies offer cable television service as Multivisionand Cotel TV.
Water supply
The
International relations
La Paz is part of the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities[39] from 12 October 1982.
La Paz is also a member of Merco Ciudades, a group of 180 cities within Mercosur,[40] since 1999.
Twin towns – sister cities
Notable people
- Luis Arce (1963), politician
- Alcides Arguedas (1879–1946), writer and philosopher
- Yolanda Bedregal (1916–1999), poet and novelist, known as Yolanda de Bolivia
- Armin Franulic (1943–2021, rally driver
- Rodolfo Illanes (1958–2016), lawyer and politician
- Carlos Mesa (born 1953), former president of Bolivia
- Víctor Montoya (born 1958), writer
- Daniel Nuñez del Prado (1840–1891), Secretary of State, freedom fighter and doctor
- Wilfred von Oven (1912–2008), press officer at the Reich Propaganda Ministry, Journalist
- Verona Pooth born, Feldbusch (born 1968), German presenter and businesswoman
- Andrés de Santa Cruz (1792–1865), President of Peru and Bolivia
- Luis Adolfo Siles Salinas(1925–2005), lawyer, politician and former President of Bolivia
- Gualberto Vega (d. 1980 at La Paz), Bolivian trade unionist
- Alberto Villalpando (born 1940), composer
- Emilio Villanueva (1882–1970), architect
Image gallery
-
Plaza Murillo with Government and Legislative Palaces in the background
-
Titicaca Lakenear La Paz with the Andes in the background
-
Calle Jaén.
-
Buildings in La Paz
-
La Paz at night
See also
References
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- ^ "Informe Nacional sobre Desarrollo Humano Bolivia 2016". Archived from the original on 3 April 2016.
- ^ "La Paz (Municipality, Bolivia) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Bolivia: Proyecciones de Población según Departamento y Municipio, 2012–2020" [Bolivia: Population Projections by Department and Municipality 2012–2020.]. INE Bolivia. Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia (Bolivia's National Institute of Statistics). Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
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- ^ "CHUQUIAGO MARKA,Y LA EXPANSIÓN DE TIWANAKU". La Prensa. 10 June 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
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- ^ Crespo, Alberto (Alberto Crespo Rodas) [in Spanish] (1980). Alonzo de Mendoza: Fundador de La Paz. La Paz, Bolivia: Biblioteca Popular Boliviana de Última Hora.
- ^ "La Paz," Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2008. Archived 31 October 2009.
- ^ Colanzi, Liliana (18 April 2015). "La rebelión de las cholas". El País. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023 – via elpais.com.
- ^ Enever, Andrew (21 February 2002). "Fifty dead in shock Bolivian flood". BBC News. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
- ^ "Climate: La Paz (altitude: 3610 m) – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table". Climate-Data.org. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ^ "La Paz Climate La Paz Temperatures La Paz Weather Averages". Archived from the original on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ "Klimatafel von La Paz – El Alto (Int. Flugh.) / Bolivien" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Base de datos Sistema Meteorológico–SISMET" (in Spanish). Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología de Bolivia. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
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External links
- Municipality of La Paz Archived 21 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- Bolivia Weekly