Located in the north east area of the country, the capital city of Colombia, known as La Paz, covers about 133,985 square kilometers. It is bordered by Pando on the north, by Beni and Cochabamba on the east, by Oruno on the south and by Chile and Peru on the west.

Bolivia's government has its headquarters in Nuestra Señora de La Paz city, which is also the capital city of La Paz department. According to the 2001 census, about one million and five hundred people live here.

The city stands 3650 masl and together with El Alto (4100 masl) make the biggest urban area of Bolivia.

Lying at the bottom of a steep canyon and ringed by mounts and high mountains, La Paz is located between the Andean plateau and low valleys.

The altitude of the city ranges from 4000 to 2200 masl. Hence, it has an irregular shape and sharply inclined streets and less steep canyons can be found within the urban area itself.

The south area of the city is located at a lower altitude and has a similar landscaped although mountains are not so high.

In the Andes mountain range, on the west area, the Mount Illimani rises above the city to 6465 meters. With its three snow-covered peaks, fully visible from the city, this mount has been an icon ever since its foundation.

Through Reservas.net it is possible to make reservations by phone or on-line for accommodation in Hotels, Apartments, Bed & Breakfast, Apart-Hotels or Resorts located in different spots of the city.

In order to experience an enjoyable and pleasant stay near your area of interest a hotel downtown La Paz or in different areas of the city, can be booked.

Not only is La Paz department headquarters of the national government, but also it has a wide range of attractions and beautiful landscapes. Moreover, visitors are offered excellent services here.

Going on an excursion to La Paz can be a hugely enjoyable experience since there are so many interesting places to visit. One striking example of this is the Moon Valley, located ten kilometers away from the city center. Also, the famous Titicaca Lake, Copacabana city and the Tiahuanaco ruins.

One of this city's most noticeable features is the fact that wealth and poverty meet at this place. High-rise buildings and five-star hotels hide poverty-stricken street vendors.

Moreover, La Paz has its own main square, where the San Francisco Church stands, one of the most representative examples of the mixed architecture in America. This square and its surroundings is the main tourist attraction and meeting place for the "paceños"

See Sightseens & Tours in La Paz...

La Paz has a mountain climate. While winters are dry and cold with occasional snowfalls, summers are mild and rainfalls are very frequent. The annual average temperature is 16ºC. During August, moderate winds blow here and in summer temperature reaches 25ºC.

The annual average rainfall is 600 mm, and it takes place mainly from December to March.

Owing to the location of the city, people here settle in places where there is more oxygen and temperatures are milder. Thus, unlike most parts of the world, the highest places are the poorest ones.

The city of La Paz or Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace) was founded by Spanish settlers led by Alonso de Mendoza on the 20th October 1548.

This city was first located in the small locality of Laja but some time later it was moved to site of Chuquiago, an ancient Aymara village. This term came from Chukiyawu, which meant "Golden farm" in Aymara language.

According to historians, the city's name commemorates the day when peace was established in Peru, after the civil war broke out when Gonzalo Pizarro launched an insurrection against Blasco Núñez Vela, the first Peruvian Viceroy.

In 1825 the patriots defeated the Spanish army in the Ayacucho battle. Hence, the name of the city was changed to "La Paz de Ayacucho".

Both cities, La Paz and Sucre, played a major role in the independence of Bolivia. Finally, on the 16th July 1809 Pedro Domingo Murillo with other countrymen formally proclaimed independence with the document named the Junta Tuitiva.

By 1898 La Paz becomes Bolivia's administrative capital and the seat of the government as a result of the war that broke out between the south and north areas, between Liberals and Conservatives.