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. |