La Paz

Introduction

La Paz

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Originally founded with the name of La Villa de Nuestra Señora de La Paz (honoring the Catholic Virgen del Carmen), or La Paz (After the "Paz- (castellian language) " or "Peace Agreement ", was signed), which took place in October 20th 1548, after a battle amongs spaniards was settled ) 38 kilometres away from the "valley" where the actual city seats now in the small village of "Laja" nowadays a forgotten place in the middle of the high plateau. The reasons of it's original location change have to do with gold nuggets existing inside the river (Choqueyapu) this river runs today under the central areas of this city. This valley was formerly called "Chuquiago" by the older Aymaras who used to live here, many relate the name "Chuquiago Marka" to this story but the fact is that "Marka" just means "The place". La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia as well as the capital of the La Paz Department. Bearing the Government, Representatives and Congress House, it is also where most of the Political and Legal powers are kept. It is the world's highest administrative capital city of the world at an altitude of 3,600 metres (11,811 feet). It's unique topography and narrow streets make your visit an unforgettable experience, this city features about 7 viewers located in different spots, each of them give you a complete different sight wich gives you the impression of looking into another city each time. The official capital of Bolivia though, is Sucre as the nation was founded on August 6 1825 after Simon Bolivar declared this new nation his "favorite" reason why the actual country's name (Bolivar-Bolivia) Because Mcal. Antonio Jose de Sucre fought frantically for this part of South America, his name was given to the first official Capital city of this "new nation" Sucre.
Today La Paz has over 1.5 million people, not to mention the population of "El Alto de la Paz" the youngest Bolivian city recently founded in March 6th 1985 which has about a million more! This city used to be another "Neighbourhood" of La Paz city but after they overpassed half of million inhabitants it, was given a "City title" This is where the airport locates and if you arrive into La Paz, by road the first city you see.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

Events and Festivals

Weather

Owing to the high altitude, the temperature is consistently cool in La Paz. The temperature doesn't vary a great deal during the year, with an average daily maximum of roughly 18 °C and an absolute high of 27 °C in September. Average minimum temperatures vary somewhat more due to the fact that the drier and sunnier April to October period causes colder nights, just above zero (record is -3 °C), as opposed to around 6 °C from November to March. The city has a dry climate, with most rain falling from November to March. Average annual precipitation is just over 500 mm.

Getting There

By Plane

El Alto International Airport (LPD) functions as the main gateway for La Paz. Airlines flying to La Paz include LAN Peru (Lima, Iquique, Santiago de Chile), Aerosur to Cobija, Cochabamba, Cusco, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Sucre, Tarija, Buenos Aires-Ezeiza and Sao Paulo-Guarulhos and TACA Peru to Lima.
TAM (not to be confused with Brazilian TAM Airlines), Aerocon and Amaszonas have other flights to domestic destinations.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

Buses connect Bolivian cities and also Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

External Links

• Official Governmental Website