Samaipata, Bolivia
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Samaipata
Samaypata | |
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Town | |
UTC-4 (BOT) |
Samaipata or Samaypata
Geography
Samaipata is a unesco world heritage site. It is located in the province of Florida in the Santa Cruz department of Bolivia. It is located in a region of foothills going across the middle of the country, dividing the desert landscape of the west from the jungle landscape of the east. The nearest city is Santa Cruz de La Sierra, the largest city in Bolivia.
History
The valley was originally populated by people of the
The region was later conquered by the
In the 16th century,
In 1618, Pedro de Escalante y Mendoza founded Samaipata,
People
Samaipata is quite cosmopolitan and diverse. Samaipateños from old families are descendants of
After the road that passes by the town was paved in the 1960s, many migrants from all over Bolivia (mainly from nearby
Economy
The local economy is mainly dedicated to tourism, agriculture (including its many vineyards) and crafts. Local farmers produce organic vegetables such as tomatoes, artichokes, lettuces and green beans. The region is also famous for its production of fruits such as peaches, grapes, plums, chirimoyas, guapurus, strawberries and figs. There is also a significant production of wines, singani, honey, marmalades, cold cuts,[7] herbal infusions, lavender, art pieces and artisan crafts.
Climate
Samaipata's climate is classified as a
Climate data for Samaipata, Bolivia. 18 11 S, 63 53 W. Elevation: 1,647 metres (5,404 ft) | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 21.7 (71.1) |
21.4 (70.5) |
21.2 (70.2) |
19.8 (67.6) |
18.3 (64.9) |
17.4 (63.3) |
16.7 (62.1) |
18.1 (64.6) |
19.8 (67.6) |
21.0 (69.8) |
21.5 (70.7) |
21.7 (71.1) |
19.9 (67.8) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 121.3 (4.78) |
125.7 (4.95) |
95.3 (3.75) |
48.2 (1.90) |
27.3 (1.07) |
28.6 (1.13) |
13.5 (0.53) |
35.4 (1.39) |
32.5 (1.28) |
44.5 (1.75) |
78.8 (3.10) |
117.5 (4.63) |
768.6 (30.26) |
Source: Weatherbase: Samaipata, Bolivia.[9] |
Viniculture
Samaipata has a wine culture dating back to the first Spanish settlements in the Valleys of Santa Cruz.[10] Although it had a dwindling production during the Republican Era, in recent years it has established itself as one of the most prominent wine regions in Bolivia. It is now the second wine region in terms of planted area and attracts an increasing number of ecotourists, particularly from Santa Cruz, Bolivia's largest city.
There are three established wineries in the region: Uvairenda (where the 1750 Wines are produced), Bodegas Landsua, and El Último Vargas. Located at 1.750 m.a.s.l., Samaipata has arisen as its main representative for its high-quality wines and its success in the Bolivian market.
Known for its views and pleasant weather, Samaipata proves to be a good place for viniculture. Seasonal and day/night temperature variation together with protection from the cold winds from the South, provided by the hills that surrounds the numerous valleys, Samaipata and the rest of the Valleys of Santa Cruz have become areas of increased interest for its vinicultural potential.[11]
The main varieties produced are Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Barbera, Malbec, Torrontés grapes becoming the emblematic grapes of the region. Other varieties cultivated, although in a lesser quantity, are Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.[11]
Many of the vineyards of Samaipata are within walking distance from the town center. Most vineyards provide guided tours which include a wine tasting at the end of the tour.
Gallery
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Streetscene. Traditional Spanish colonial houses face into a courtyard/garden for security reasons.
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Streetscene. A neglected and unprepossessing exterior often hides a beautiful garden within.
El Fuerte de Samaipata
Nearby is the pre-
It is believed that both Chanes and Incas were eventually defeated by the Guarani warriors, and by the time the Spaniards colonized the region, it was already dominated by Guarani tribes, and El Fuerte was already destroyed. The Spanish colonizers also built a town next to the temple, but it was later abandoned when the inhabitants moved to the base of the valley.[14] There are several interesting features including a sloping ramp, pronounced by flying saucer enthusiast Erich von Däniken in his book "Chariots of the Gods" to be a launch platform for spaceships. Some of the site is now cordoned off due to damage caused by visitors walking on the rock carvings.
Las Cuevas
Also, of interest nearby, Las Cuevas , a pleasant walk by streams and waterfalls. There are several pools and beaches. A small fee is charged for entrance. Camping is not allowed.
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Rock pools and waterfall where the locals swim.
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The beach.
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The park extends for several miles.
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Cuevas Waterfalls
See also
References
- ^ "censosbolivia.bo/comunitaria". Instituto Nacional de Estadística Bolivia (INE) 2012. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
- ^ "Se inicia la celebración del 188 aniversario de la independencia de Bolivia". Vicepresidencia del Estado Plurinational, Presidencia de la Asamblea Legislativa Plurinational. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
- ^ Teofilo Laime Ajacopa, Diccionario Bilingüe Iskay simipi yuyayk'ancha, La Paz, 2007 (Quechua-Spanish dictionary)
- ^ Diccionario Quechua - Español - Quechua, Academía Mayor de la Lengua Quechua, Gobierno Regional Cusco, Cusco 2005 (Quechua-Spanish dictionary)
- ^ Tras las Huellas de los Chané, June 1, 2003. "EL DEBER, Noticias de Bolivia y el Mundo". Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
- ^ Belleza y Misterio de los Valles Cruceños, by Julio César Gamboa R. 2003
- ^ "Samaipata, vendimia cruceña - La Razón". Retrieved 6 November 2016.
- ^ "Samaipata, Bolivia, "Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)". Archived from the original on 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2016-11-05., accessed 5 Nov 2016
- ^ accessed 5 Nov 2016
- ^ "Uncover the secret of Bolivia - Samaipata Wine Region". Vino Mundo (in French). Retrieved 2022-03-16.
- ^ a b "Region overview | Wines of Bolivia". www.winesofbolivia.com. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
- ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Fuerte de Samaipata". Retrieved 6 November 2016.
- ^ "Samaipata". Archived from the original on 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2008-12-18.
- ^ "El Fuerte . Se descubren más restos". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2008-12-18.