Editing La Paz

{{Short description|Capital of Bolivia}}
{{About|the city which is the [[Bolivia]]n seat of government|the future capital city in [[Equatorial Guinea]] of a similar name|Ciudad de la Paz |other uses}}
{{Redirect|Nuestra Señora de La Paz|the sector of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic|Nuestra Señora de la Paz}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| settlement_type          = [[Executive (government)|Seat of Government]]
| name                     = La Paz
| official_name            = Nuestra Señora de La Paz
| motto                    = {{lang|es|Los discordes en concordia, en paz y amor se juntaron y pueblo de paz fundaron para perpetua memoria.}} ("The dissenters in harmony gathered together in peace and love, and a town of peace they founded, for perpetual memory.")<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bolivia.com/turismo/ciudades/la_paz/historia.htm |title=Bolivia.com – Turismo : La Paz |access-date=1 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204224417/http://www.bolivia.com/turismo/ciudades/la_paz/historia.htm |archive-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| image_skyline            = {{multiple image
 |border        = infobox
 |total_width   = 280
 |perrow        = 1/2/2/1
 |caption_align = center
 |image1        = La Paz Skyline.jpg
 |caption1      = View toward [[Mount Illimani]] from [[El Alto]] 
 |image2        = Noon, Plaza Murillo, La Paz, Bolivia (14689720998).jpg
 |caption2      = [[Plaza Murillo]]
 |image3        = Basilica de San Francisco La Paz (cropped).jpg
 |caption3      = [[Basilica of San Francisco, La Paz|Basilica of San Francisco]]
 |image4        = Linea_Roja_de_Mi_Teleferico,_La_Paz.jpg
 |caption4      = [[Mi Teleférico]]
 |image5        = La Paz - Bolivia OP1.jpg
 |caption5      = [[Miraflores, La Paz|Miraflores]]
 }}
| image_flag               = Bandera de La Paz.svg
| pushpin_map              = Bolivia#South America
| pushpin_relief           = 1
| image_seal               = Escudo de La Paz.svg
| pushpin_mapsize          = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = [[Bolivia]]
| subdivision_type1        = [[Departments of Bolivia|Department]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[La Paz Department (Bolivia)|La Paz]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[Provinces of Bolivia|Province]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Pedro Domingo Murillo Province|Pedro Domingo Murillo]]
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = {{nowrap|Ivan Arias}}
| established_title1       = Founded
| established_date1        = {{longitem|style=line-height:1.4em; |20 October 1548 by [[Alonso de Mendoza]]}}
| established_title2       = Independence
| established_date2        = 16 July 1809
| established_title3       = 
| established_date3        = 
| established_title4       = [[El Alto]] incorporated
| established_date4        = 20th century
| area_magnitude           = 
| unit_pref                = <!--use "Imperial", if Imperial (metric) is desired-->
| area_total_km2           = 472
| area_total_sq_mi         = 
| area_land_km2            = 
| area_land_sq_mi          = 
| area_water_km2           = 
| area_water_sq_mi         = 
| area_water_percent       = 
| area_urban_km2           = 3240
| area_urban_sq_mi         = 
| area_metro_km2           = 
| area_metro_sq_mi         = 
| population_as_of         = [[2024 Bolivian census|2024 census]]
| population_urban         = 
| population_metro         = 2187223
| population_density_km2   = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 4,820.6
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_total         = 755,732
| demographics_type1       = [[GDP|GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values)]]
| demographics1_footnotes  = 
| demographics1_title1     = Year
| demographics1_info1      = 2023
| demographics1_title2     = Total (Metro)
| demographics1_info2      = $14.6&nbsp;billion<ref name="TelluBase">{{cite web |url=https://tellusant.com/repo/tb/tellubase_factsheet_bol.pdf |publisher=Tellusant |title=TelluBase—BoliviaFact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series) |access-date=2024-01-11}}</ref>
| demographics1_title3     = Per capita
| demographics1_info3      = $8,400
| timezone                 = [[Bolivia Time|BOT]]
| utc_offset               = −04:00
| coordinates              = {{Coord|16|29|45|S|68|08|00|W|region:BO-L_type:city(816,000)|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m              = 3,640
| elevation_ft             = 11,942
| blank_name               = [[Human Development Index|HDI]]&nbsp;{{small|(2016)}}
| blank_info               = {{Nowrap|0.827 ({{color|#090|Very High}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bo.undp.org/content/bolivia/es/home/presscenter/articles/2016/03/28/para-leer-y-ver-el-informe-sobre-desarrollo-humano.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403135635/http://www.bo.undp.org/content/bolivia/es/home/presscenter/articles/2016/03/28/para-leer-y-ver-el-informe-sobre-desarrollo-humano.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 April 2016 |title=Informe Nacional sobre Desarrollo Humano Bolivia 2016}}</ref>}}
| postal_code_type         = Postal code
| postal_code              = 0201-0220
| area_code                = 2
| iso_code                 = BO-L
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.lapaz.bo/}}
}}

'''La Paz''', officially '''Nuestra Señora de La Paz''' ([[Aymara language|Aymara:]] '''Chuqi Yapu''' {{IPA|ay|ˈtʃoqɛ ˈjapʊ}}), is the seat of government of the [[Bolivia|Plurinational State of Bolivia]]. With 755,732 residents as of 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |title=La Paz (Municipality, Bolivia) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/bolivia/admin/la_paz/020101__la_paz/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> La Paz is the [[List of Bolivian cities by population|third-most populous city in Bolivia]]. Its metropolitan area, which is formed by La Paz, [[El Alto]], [[Achocalla Municipality|Achocalla]], [[Viacha Municipality|Viacha]], and [[Mecapaca Municipality|Mecapaca]] makes up the second most populous urban area in Bolivia, with a population of 2.2&nbsp;million, after [[Santa Cruz de la Sierra]] with a population of 2.3&nbsp;million.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Bolivia: Proyecciones de Población según Departamento y Municipio, 2012–2020. |url=https://www.ine.gob.bo/index.php/censos-y-proyecciones-de-poblacion-sociales/ |website=INE Bolivia |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia (Bolivia's National Institute of Statistics). |trans-title=Bolivia: Population Projections by Department and Municipality 2012–2020. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606191939/https://www.ine.gob.bo/index.php/censos-y-proyecciones-de-poblacion-sociales/ |archive-date=6 June 2020 |access-date=29 May 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> It is also the capital of the [[La Paz Department, Bolivia|La Paz Department]].

The city, in west-central Bolivia {{cvt|68|km|0}} southeast of [[Lake Titicaca]], is set in a canyon created by the [[Choqueyapu River]]. It is in a bowl-like depression, part of the Amazon basin, surrounded by the high mountains of the [[Altiplano]]. Overlooking the city is the triple-peaked [[Illimani]]. Its peaks are always snow-covered and can be seen from many parts of the city. At an elevation of roughly {{cvt|3650|m|0}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]], La Paz is the [[List of capital cities by altitude|highest capital city in the world]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destination/bolivia |title=Bolivia Facts |website=travel.nationalgeographic.com |publisher=National Geographic |access-date=14 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822190134/http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/bolivia-facts/ |archive-date=22 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.amusingplanet.com/2012/07/the-incredible-mountain-city-of-la-paz.html |title=The Incredible Mountain City of La Paz, Bolivia |website=amusingplanet.com |publisher=Amusing Planet |access-date=14 August 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010162136/http://www.amusingplanet.com/2012/07/the-incredible-mountain-city-of-la-paz.html |archive-date=10 October 2016}}</ref> Due to its altitude, La Paz has an unusual [[Oceanic climate|subtropical highland climate]], with rainy summers and dry winters.

La Paz was founded on 20 October 1548, by the Spanish [[conquistador]] Captain [[Alonso de Mendoza]], at the site of the [[Inca Empire|Inca]] settlement of [[Laja, Bolivia|Laja]] as a connecting point between the commercial routes that led from [[Potosí]] and [[Oruro, Bolivia|Oruro]] to [[Lima]]; the full name of the city was originally ''Nuestra Señora de La Paz'' (meaning ''[[Our Lady of Peace]]'') in commemoration of the restoration of peace following the [[Rebellion|insurrection]] of [[Gonzalo Pizarro]] and fellow conquistadors against the first [[viceroy]] of [[Peru]]. The city was later moved to its present location in the valley of Chuquiago Marka.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/La-Paz-Bolivia |title=La Paz: National Administrative Capital of Bolivia |website=britannica.com |publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=14 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924104154/https://www.britannica.com/place/La-Paz-Bolivia |archive-date=24 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> La Paz was under Spanish colonial rule as part of the [[Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata]], before Bolivia gained independence. Since its founding, the city was the site of numerous revolts. In 1781, the [[indigenous people|indigenous]] leader and independence activist [[Túpac Katari]] laid siege to the city for a total of six months, but was finally defeated. On 16 July 1809, the Bolivian patriot [[Pedro Domingo Murillo]] ignited a revolution for independence, marking the beginning of the [[Spanish American wars of independence|Spanish American Wars of Independence]], which gained the freedom of South American states in 1821.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.boliviabella.com/history-of-la-paz.html |title=The History of La Paz, Bolivia |website=boliviabella.com |publisher=Bolivia Bella |access-date=14 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901214920/http://www.boliviabella.com/history-of-la-paz.html |archive-date=1 September 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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 [[Judiciary|judicial power]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Sucre |title=Sucre: National Constitutional Capital, Bolivia |website=britannica.com |publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=14 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810203405/https://www.britannica.com/place/Sucre |archive-date=10 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The city hosts all the [[List of diplomatic missions in Bolivia|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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.economiabolivia.net/2013/07/24/la-importancia-economica-de-la-paz/ |title=La importancia económica de La Paz |website=economiabolivia.net |publisher=Economía Bolivia |language=es |trans-title=The economic importance of La Paz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825232356/http://www.economiabolivia.net/2013/07/24/la-importancia-economica-de-la-paz/ |archive-date=25 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

La Paz is also an important cultural center of [[South America]], as it hosts several landmarks dating from colonial times, such as the [[San Francisco Church (La Paz)|San Francisco Church]], the [[Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz|Metropolitan Cathedral]], the [[Plaza Murillo]] and Jaén Street. La Paz is also situated at the confluence of archaeological regions of the [[Tiwanaku]] and [[Inca Empire]]. The city is renowned for its markets, particularly the [[The Witches' Market|Witches' Market]], and for its nightlife.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0530_030530_witchdoctors.html |title=The Witches' Market in La Paz, Spells are Hot Sellers |date=30 May 2003 |website=news.nationalgeographic.com |publisher=National Geographic |access-date=14 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505205200/https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0530_030530_witchdoctors.html |archive-date=5 May 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/nightlife-cities/ |title=Top 10 Nightlife Cities |website=travel.nationalgeographic.com |date=22 January 2015 |publisher=National Geographic |access-date=14 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812134753/http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/nightlife-cities/ |archive-date=12 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Its topography offers views of the city and the surrounding mountains of the [[Cordillera Real (Bolivia)|Cordillera Real]] from numerous natural [[Overlook|viewing points]]. La Paz is home to the largest [[Gondola lift|urban cable car network]] in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2015/08/a-bolivian-subway-in-the-sky/400121/ |title=A Bolivian Subway in the Sky |date=11 August 2015 |website=theatlantic.com |publisher=The Atlantic |access-date=14 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624030737/https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2015/08/a-bolivian-subway-in-the-sky/400121/ |archive-date=24 June 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Name and toponyms ==

[[File:Calle Jaén, La Paz.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Calle Jaén in the historic center of La Paz, contains well-preserved [[Spanish Colonial architecture|Spanish Colonial]] buildings.]]

The Spanish conquistadors founded the city in 1548 with the name ''Nuestra Señora de La Paz'' (meaning ''[[Blessed Virgin Mary|Our Lady]] of [[Peace]]''). The name commemorated the restoration of peace following the insurrection of [[Gonzalo Pizarro]] and fellow conquistadors four years earlier against [[Blasco Núñez Vela]], the first [[viceroy]] of [[Peru]].<ref name="Crespo-1" />

In 1825, after the decisive victory of the [[republicanism|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;<ref>[http://www.katari.org/diccionario/diccionario.php?listletter=aymara&display=12 www.katari.org] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501173911/https://www.katari.org/diccionario/diccionario.php?listletter=aymara&display=12 |date=1 May 2021 }} (Aymara – Spanish) ''Marka'': ''Pueblo'', ''ciudad''.</ref> ''Chuqi Yapu'' means 'gold farm', probably due to the exploitation of gold nuggets in the small rivers of the place;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Acta de fundacion de La Paz, Bolivia |url=https://jorgemachicado.blogspot.com/2009/05/aflp_21.html |access-date=20 August 2021 |website=APUNTES JURIDICOS™ |archive-date=20 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820182159/https://jorgemachicado.blogspot.com/2009/05/aflp_21.html |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 June 2013 |title=CHUQUIAGO MARKA,Y LA EXPANSIÓN DE TIWANAKU |url=http://www.laprensa.com.bo/diario/actualidad/la-paz/20131006/chuquiago-markay-la-expansion-de-tiwanaku_51079_83058.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221162349/http://www.laprensa.com.bo/diario/actualidad/la-paz/20131006/chuquiago-markay-la-expansion-de-tiwanaku_51079_83058.html |archive-date=21 December 2014 |access-date=20 August 2021 |website=La Prensa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ariñez |first=Rubén |date=20 October 2017 |title=Evo sugiere cambiar el nombre de La Paz por Chuquiago Marka |work=La Razón |url=http://www.la-razon.com/ciudades/Evo-plantea-cambio-nombre-La_Paz-Chuquiago-Marka-aniversario-469_0_2804719510.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124195030/http://www.la-razon.com/ciudades/Evo-plantea-cambio-nombre-La_Paz-Chuquiago-Marka-aniversario-469_0_2804719510.html |access-date=20 August 2021 |archive-date=24 January 2020}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of La Paz}}
[[File:Bolivia, La Paz; Illimani in background LCCN2016821765 (cropped).tif|left|thumb|View of La Paz between 1909 and 1920]]
This area had been the site of an Inca city on a major trading route.

Although the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] [[conquistador]]s entered the area in 1535, they did not found La Paz until 1548. Originally it was to be at the site of the [[Native American (Americas)|Native American]] settlement, [[Laja, Bolivia|Laja]]. The town site was moved a few days later to its present location in the valley of Chuquiago, which is more clement.<ref name="Crespo-1">{{Cite book |author=Crespo, Alberto (Alberto Crespo Rodas) |title=450 Anos De La Fundación De La Paz |publisher=Canelas |year=1998 |location=Cochabamba, Bolivia |author-link=:es:Alberto Crespo Rodas}}</ref>

Control over the former [[Inca]] lands had been entrusted to [[Pedro de la Gasca]] by the Spanish king (and Holy Roman Emperor) [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Charles V]]. Gasca commanded [[Alonso de Mendoza]] to found a new city commemorating the end of the civil wars in Peru; the city of La Paz was founded on 20 October 1548, by Alonzo de Mendoza, with Juan de Vargas appointed as its first mayor.<ref name="Crespo-2">{{Cite book |author=Crespo, Alberto (Alberto Crespo Rodas) |author-link=:es:Alberto Crespo Rodas |year=1980 |title=Alonzo de Mendoza: Fundador de La Paz |location=La Paz, Bolivia |publisher=Biblioteca Popular Boliviana de Última Hora}}</ref>

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.{{cn|date=September 2024}} 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.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

[[Spain]] controlled La Paz with a firm grip and the Spanish king had the last word in all matters political, but consultation was extended, taking months or longer by sea. Indigenous and other unrest was repeated around the turn of the nineteenth century.{{cn|date=September 2024}} In 1781, for a total of six months, a group of [[Aymara people]] laid siege to La Paz. Under the leadership of [[Tupac Katari]], they destroyed churches and government property. Thirty years later Indians conducted a two-month siege against La Paz. This incident was the setting for the origin of the legend of the [[Ekeko]]. In 1809, the struggle for independence from the Spanish rule brought uprisings against the royalist forces.{{cn|date=September 2024}} On 16 July 1809, [[Pedro Domingo Murillo]] said that the Bolivian revolution was igniting a lamp that nobody would be able to turn off. This uprising formally marked the beginning of the liberation of South America from Spain. The first open rebellions against the Spanish Crown took place in La Paz and the city of Sucre simultaneously.{{cn|date=September 2024}} This event is known as the Primer Grito Libertario de América and brought about the [[Bolivian War of Independence]].
[[File:La Paz in 1987.jpg|left|thumb|[[Plaza Murillo|Plaza Murrillo]], the city's main square, seen in 1987.]]
Pedro Domingo Murillo was hanged at the Plaza de los Españoles several months later, on 29 January 1810.{{cn|date=September 2024}} 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 ''[[de facto]]'' seat of the national government, with Sucre remaining the nominal historical as well as judiciary capital. This change reflected the shift of the Bolivian economy away from the largely exhausted [[silver]] [[mining|mines]] of [[Potosí]] to the exploitation of [[tin]] near [[Oruro, Bolivia|Oruro]], and resulting shifts in the distribution of economic and political power among various national [[elite]]s.<ref>"[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553809/La_Paz.html La Paz]," Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2008. [https://web.archive.org/web/20091029041432/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553809/La_Paz.html Archived] 31 October 2009.</ref>

The [[Racial segregation|segregation]] of [[Chola boliviana|Cholitas]] (women of [[Andean]] indigenous background) continued until the 1980s. They were not allowed to enter certain public places and were banned from cinemas and some restaurants, with more emphasis in Bolivian eastern cities like [[Santa Cruz De La Sierra]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2015/04/10/eps/1428661748_198900.html |title=La rebelión de las cholas |first=Liliana |last=Colanzi |newspaper=El País |date=18 April 2015 |via=elpais.com |access-date=19 February 2023 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219231132/https://elpais.com/elpais/2015/04/10/eps/1428661748_198900.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:La Paz a Illimani - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|La Paz is characterized by its mountainous geography, the snow-capped [[Illimani]] dominates the city's skyline]]
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 (Bolivia) | Cordillera Real]] range, which includes such notable mountains as [[Illimani]] (guardian of La Paz), [[Mururata]], [[Huayna Potosi]], [[Chacaltaya]], [[Kunturiri (Los Andes)|Kunturiri]], [[Llamp'u]], [[Chachakumani]], [[Chearoco]], and [[Ancohuma]]. 

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 [[1994 Bolivia earthquake|earthquake in July 1994]] rated at 8.2 struck {{convert|200|mi|0|abbr=out}} 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 [[2002 La Paz floods|flooding]] causing serious damage and over 50 deaths.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Enever |first1=Andrew |title=Fifty dead in shock Bolivian flood |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1833002.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=21 February 2002 |access-date=30 November 2021 |archive-date=4 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004201046/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1833002.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Climate ===
[[File:Centro de La Paz, Bolivia.jpg|thumb|Due to its geographical location and altitude, La Paz has an unusual climate with rainy summers, dry winters and little temperature seasonality]]
{{climate chart
| La Paz (Laikakota Park)
|7.4|18.5|125.5
|7.3|18.7|81.0
|7.2|18.9|67.5
|6.3|19.2|27.1
|4.6|19.1|8.9
|3.3|17.8|7.9
|2.8|17.4|5.3
|3.7|18.4|12.1
|4.8|19.0|24.5
|6.2|19.8|37.8
|7.0|20.4|43.9
|7.5|20.0|82.3
|float=right
|clear=none
|units=metric
}}
At more than {{convert|4000|m|ft|sp=us}} above sea level, higher parts of La Paz have a [[Oceanic climate#Subpolar oceanic and cold subtropical highland varieties (Cfc, Cwc)|subalpine subtropical highland climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cwc''), bordering on a [[Polar climate|tundra climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''ET''). At this altitude, night-time temperatures range from cold to very cold. [[Snow flurry|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 {{convert|3600|m|0|abbr=off|sp=us}}, and in the ''Zona Sur'' (Southern Zone), at {{cvt|3250|m|0}} above sea level are warmer and are classified as [[Oceanic climate|subtropical highland climates]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cwb'').<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web |title=Climate: La Paz (altitude: 3610&nbsp;m) – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table |url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/764108/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105061638/http://en.climate-data.org/location/764108/ |archive-date=5 January 2014 |access-date=5 January 2014 |publisher=Climate-Data.org}}</ref> Heavy precipitation typically occurs throughout summer, and often causes destructive [[Mudflow|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 {{cvt|114|mm|in|1}}, and the driest is July with {{cvt|8|mm|in|1}}.

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 [[Mudflow|mudslides]]. The wettest month is January with a monthly average of {{cvt|100-140|mm|in|1}} of precipitation, and the driest months are June and July with around {{cvt|5|mm|in|1}} 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.la-paz.climatemps.com/index.php |title=La Paz Climate La Paz Temperatures La Paz Weather Averages |access-date=12 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616071238/http://www.la-paz.climatemps.com/index.php |archive-date=16 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location=[[El Alto]], Bolivia ([[El Alto International Airport]]), elevation {{convert|4058|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1942–present)
|collapsed=
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|Jan record high C = 25.4
|Feb record high C = 22.8
|Mar record high C = 25.1
|Apr record high C = 22.9
|May record high C = 24.0
|Jun record high C = 20.0
|Jul record high C = 23.0
|Aug record high C = 21.0
|Sep record high C = 23.0
|Oct record high C = 23.0
|Nov record high C = 24.2
|Dec record high C = 22.0
|year record high C = 25.4
|Jan high C = 14.7
|Feb high C = 14.7
|Mar high C = 14.6
|Apr high C = 15.1
|May high C = 15.1
|Jun high C = 14.6
|Jul high C = 14.5
|Aug high C = 15.3
|Sep high C = 15.7
|Oct high C = 16.3
|Nov high C = 17.3
|Dec high C = 15.8
|year high C = 
|Jan mean C = 9.5
|Feb mean C = 9.5
|Mar mean C = 9.0
|Apr mean C = 8.2
|May mean C = 6.5
|Jun mean C = 5.3
|Jul mean C = 5.1
|Aug mean C = 6.0
|Sep mean C = 7.5
|Oct mean C = 8.9
|Nov mean C = 10.0
|Dec mean C = 9.9
| year mean C = 
|Jan low C = 4.3
|Feb low C = 4.3
|Mar low C = 3.4
|Apr low C = 1.2
|May low C = -2.1
|Jun low C = −4.0
|Jul low C = −4.3
|Aug low C = −3.3
|Sep low C = -0.8
|Oct low C = 1.5
|Nov low C = 2.6
|Dec low C = 3.9
|year low C = 
|Jan record low C = -3.3
|Feb record low C = -3.3
|Mar record low C = −2.7
|Apr record low C = −4.7
|May record low C = −10.3
|Jun record low C = −12.4
|Jul record low C = −11.9
|Aug record low C = −10.0
|Sep record low C = −10.0
|Oct record low C = −5.4
|Nov record low C = −5.0
|Dec record low C = −2.8
|year record low C = -12.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 133.7
|Feb precipitation mm = 104.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 71.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 31.7
|May precipitation mm = 14.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 5.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 7.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 15.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 35.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 38.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 50.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 94.9
|year precipitation mm = 602.5
|Jan humidity = 66
|Feb humidity = 72
|Mar humidity = 67
|Apr humidity = 59
|May humidity = 48
|Jun humidity = 42
|Jul humidity = 43
|Aug humidity = 42
|Sep humidity = 48
|Oct humidity = 49
|Nov humidity = 51
|Dec humidity = 60
|year humidity = 54
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 20.7
|Feb precipitation days = 15.8
|Mar precipitation days = 14.2
|Apr precipitation days = 9.8
|May precipitation days = 3.6
|Jun precipitation days = 2.8
|Jul precipitation days = 2.8
|Aug precipitation days = 5.1
|Sep precipitation days = 8.2
|Oct precipitation days = 10.4
|Nov precipitation days = 11.5
|Dec precipitation days = 15.5
|year precipitation days = 120.3
|Jan snow days = 0.07
|Feb snow days = 0.0
|Mar snow days = 0.0
|Apr snow days = 0.03
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.03
|Jul snow days = 0.13
|Aug snow days = 0.67
|Sep snow days = 0.37
|Oct snow days = 0.17
|Nov snow days = 0.17
|Dec snow days = 0.03
|year snow days = 1.67
|Jan sun = 179.8
|Feb sun = 155.4
|Mar sun = 148.8
|Apr sun = 165.0
|May sun = 229.4
|Jun sun = 240.0
|Jul sun = 235.6
|Aug sun = 226.3
|Sep sun = 192.0
|Oct sun = 179.8
|Nov sun = 171.0
|Dec sun = 180.0
|year sun = 
|Jand sun = 5.8
|Febd sun = 5.5
|Mard sun = 4.8
|Aprd sun = 5.5
|Mayd sun = 7.4
|Jund sun = 8.0
|Juld sun = 7.6
|Augd sun = 7.3
|Sepd sun = 6.4
|Octd sun = 5.8
|Novd sun = 5.7
|Decd sun = 6.0
|yeard sun = 6.3
|source 1 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (precipitation 1961–1990, humidity 1951–1981),<ref name="DWD">{{cite web |url=http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_852010_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von La Paz – El Alto (Int. Flugh.) / Bolivien |work=Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |language=de |access-date=24 January 2016 |archive-date=24 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224173416/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_852010_kt.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Meteostat<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://meteostat.net/en/station/85201
|title= La Paz / Alto Climate : Temperature 1991-2020
|publisher=Meteostat
|access-date=18 December 2024}}</ref>
|source 2 = Meteo Climat (extremes)<ref name="meteoclimat">{{cite web |url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=75 |title=Station La Paz |publisher=Meteo Climat |language=fr |access-date=11 June 2016 |archive-date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329045129/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=75 |url-status=live }}</ref> Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología de Bolivia (snowy days 1981–2010)<ref name="SENAMHI">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921144951/http://senamhi.gob.bo/index.php/sismet |archive-date=21 September 2019 |url=http://senamhi.gob.bo/index.php/sismet |title=Base de datos Sistema Meteorológico–SISMET |publisher=Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología de Bolivia |language=es |access-date=22 September 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = La Paz (Laikakota Park), elevation {{convert|3650|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1945–present)
|collapsed = 
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 26.5
|Feb record high C = 25.5
|Mar record high C = 26.0
|Apr record high C = 25.0
|May record high C = 25.0
|Jun record high C = 23.8
|Jul record high C = 23.1
|Aug record high C = 24.3
|Sep record high C = 26.6
|Oct record high C = 26.5
|Nov record high C = 27.1
|Dec record high C = 27.2
|year record high C = 27.2
|Jan high C = 18.5
|Feb high C = 18.7
|Mar high C = 18.9
|Apr high C = 19.2
|May high C = 19.1
|Jun high C = 17.8
|Jul high C = 17.4
|Aug high C = 18.4
|Sep high C = 19.0
|Oct high C = 19.8
|Nov high C = 20.4
|Dec high C = 20.0
|year high C = 18.9
|Jan mean C = 12.9
|Feb mean C = 13.0
|Mar mean C = 13.0
|Apr mean C = 12.7
|May mean C = 11.8
|Jun mean C = 10.5
|Jul mean C = 10.1
|Aug mean C = 11.0
|Sep mean C = 11.9
|Oct mean C = 13.0
|Nov mean C = 13.7
|Dec mean C = 13.7
|year mean C =12.3
|Jan low C = 7.4
|Feb low C = 7.3
|Mar low C = 7.2
|Apr low C = 6.3
|May low C = 4.6
|Jun low C = 3.3
|Jul low C = 2.8
|Aug low C = 3.7
|Sep low C = 4.8
|Oct low C = 6.2
|Nov low C = 7.0
|Dec low C = 7.5
|year low C = 5.7
|Jan record low C = 1.5
|Feb record low C = 2.0
|Mar record low C = 1.1
|Apr record low C = 0.6
|May record low C = -2.0
|Jun record low C = -6.0
|Jul record low C = -2.8
|Aug record low C = -5.0
|Sep record low C = -0.8
|Oct record low C = 0.0
|Nov record low C = 0.5
|Dec record low C = 1.0
|year record low C = -6.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 125.5
|Feb precipitation mm = 81.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 67.5
|Apr precipitation mm = 27.1
|May precipitation mm = 8.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 7.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 5.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 12.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 24.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 37.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 43.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 82.3
|year precipitation mm = 523.8
|Jan precipitation days = 21.3
|Feb precipitation days = 17.0
|Mar precipitation days = 15.4
|Apr precipitation days = 8.6
|May precipitation days = 3.5
|Jun precipitation days = 2.2
|Jul precipitation days = 2.1
|Aug precipitation days = 3.9
|Sep precipitation days = 6.7
|Oct precipitation days = 10.7
|Nov precipitation days = 11.4
|Dec precipitation days = 16.1
|year precipitation days = 119.0
|Jan humidity = 72.0
|Feb humidity = 72.2
|Mar humidity = 70.5
|Apr humidity = 66.2
|May humidity = 54.8
|Jun humidity = 48.3
|Jul humidity = 50.4
|Aug humidity = 52.0
|Sep humidity = 58.1
|Oct humidity = 56.5
|Nov humidity = 58.8
|Dec humidity = 64.3
|year humidity = 60.0
<!-- based on the data taken from Insolacion Total (Hrs/sol).-->
|Jan sun = 145.4
|Feb sun = 158.4
|Mar sun = 167.9
|Apr sun = 187.6
|May sun = 245.7
|Jun sun = 238.3
|Jul sun = 240.9
|Aug sun = 250.1
|Sep sun = 232.0
|Oct sun = 215.5
|Nov sun = 181.5
|Dec sun = 171.2
|year sun =
<!-- based on the data taken from Insolacion Media (Hrs/sol).-->
|Jand sun = 5.0
|Febd sun = 5.9
|Mard sun = 5.9
|Aprd sun = 6.6
|Mayd sun = 8.2
|Jund sun = 8.2
|Juld sun = 8.8
|Augd sun = 8.5
|Sepd sun = 8.2
|Octd sun = 7.4
|Novd sun = 6.8
|Decd sun = 6.0
|yeard sun =
|source 1 = Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología de Bolivia<ref name="SENAMHI" />
|date = July 2019
}}

== Districts and neighborhoods ==

{|style="margin:1em auto;"
|colspan="8" style="background:lightseagreen;text-align:center;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;color:white;"| La Paz's districts </tr>
|rowspan="20" style="background:whitesmoke;text-align:center;"|
|- style="text-align:center;background:#b0c4de;font-weight:bold;"
|style="width:4.0em;"| # || '''District''' || '''Population''' || '''Area''' ([[Square kilometre|km<sup>2</sup>]]) || '''Type''' || '''Map'''

|-
|1 || Mallasa || 5,082 || 32,68 || Urbano || [[File:MACRODISTRITO 1.png|20px]] </tr>
|2 || Zona Sur || 127,228 || 64,15 || Urbano || [[File:MACRODISTRITO 2.png|20px]] </tr>
|3 || San Antonio || 115,659 || 22,59 || Urbano || [[File:MACRODISTRITO 3.png|20px]] </tr>
|4 || Periférica || 159,123 ||26,05 || Urbano || [[File:MACRODISTRITO 4.png|20px]] </tr>
|5 || Max Paredes || 164,566 || 13,31 || Urbano || [[File:MACRODISTRITO 5.png|20px]] </tr>
|6 || Centro || 64,272 || 5,22 || Urbano || [[File:MACRODISTRITO 6.png|30px]] </tr>
|7 || Cotahuma || 153,655 || 16,10 || Urbano || [[File:MACRODISTRITO 7.png|20px]] </tr>
|23 || Zongo || || || Rural || [[File:MACRODISTRITO 23.png|30px]] </tr>
|22 || Hampaturi || || || Rural || [[File:MACRODISTRITO 22.png|30px]] </tr>
|}

{|class="wikitable centered"
!colspan=5 style="background:LightSeaGreen; color:white; font-size:120%"| La Paz's neighborhoods
|-
|- style="text-align:center;"
!#!! District !!Map !! Neighborhoods !! Main streets
|-
|1
|Mallasa
|[[File:MACRODISTRITO 1.png|90px]]
| Amor de Dios • Mallasa • Muela del Diablo • Mallasilla • Jupapina
| Carretera principal Rio abajo
|-
|2
|Zona Sur
|[[File:MACRODISTRITO 2.png|80px]]
| Obrajes • Bella Vista • Bolonia • Irpavi • [[Calacoto]] • Cota Cota • Achumani • Ovejuyo • Koani • La Florida • Seguencoma • San Miguel
| Avenida Ballivián
|-
|3
|San Antonio
|[[File:MACRODISTRITO 3.png|80px]]
| San Antonio • Villa Copacabana • Pampahasi • Valle Hermoso • Kupini • Villa Armonía • Callapa, •San Isidro
| Avenida cd del niño
|-
|4
|Periférica
|[[File:MACRODISTRITO 4.png|50px]]
| Achachicala • Chuquiaguillo • Villa Fátima • Vino Tinto •5 Dedos • Santiago de Lacaya • Rosasani
| Avenida Grl Juan Jose Torres
|-
|5
|[[Max Paredes]]
|[[File:MACRODISTRITO 5.png|50px]]
| Munaypata • La Portada • El Tejar • Gran Poder • Obispo Indaburu • Chamoco Chico • Munaypata • Pura Pura • Ciudadela Ferroviaria
| Avenida Naciones Unidas
|-
|6
|Zona Centro
|[[File:MACRODISTRITO 6.png|80px]]
|Casco Urbano Central • San Jorge • Miraflores • Barrio Gráfico • San Sebastián • Santa Bárbara • Parque Urbano Central
| Avenida Arce • Avenida 16 de Julio
|-
|7
|Cotahuma
|[[File:MACRODISTRITO 7.png|70px]]
| Sopocachi • Alto Sopocachi • Pasankeri • Tembladerani • Alpacoma • Belén • Tacagua • San Pedro • Bajo Llojeta
| Avenida Buenos Aires
|}

=== Main neighborhoods and zones ===
; San Jorge: [[File:Vista del barrio de Sopocachi.jpg|thumb|Buildings in [[Sopocachi]], in the district of Cotahuma]]Located in the district known as Cotahuma and near [[Sopocachi]], is one of the main residential and diplomatic areas of the city. San Jorge was one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of La Paz and the financial center of the metropolis, housing international firms like [[Deloitte]], [[Bank of America]], [[Ernst & Young]], [[BBVA]] and the famous [[The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company|Ritz Hotel]]. It is now home of some of Bolivia's tallest building known as Torre Girasoles, Torres del Poeta, and the only [[intelligent building]] of the country, known as Torre Azul. The neighborhood is also populated with expensive offices, renowned restaurants, museums and bookstores. Its Avenida Arce, one of the main streets of the city, is the highest-priced street in the country and the one with the most upscale boutiques in Bolivia. San Jorge is home to the embassies of the [[United States]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Brazil]], [[Japan]], [[Germany]] and [[Spain]]. The offices of the [[World Bank]], the [[Inter-American Development Bank]], the [[CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean]], the [[Goethe Institut]], the [[Alliance Française]] and the [[Dante Alighieri Society]] are also located in this modern neighborhood.

; [[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 prison]] is here.

[[File:Peatones en el Paseo del Prado.jpg|thumb|The Paseo del Prado, one of the main throughfares in the city]]
; 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 : [[File:Calacoto La Paz, Bolivia.jpg|thumb|Zona Sur, the southern district is largely the most affluent neighborhood in La Paz.]]In the 5th district; has less height than the rest of La Paz (3,200 to 2,800 meters). It is referenced as the "Macrodistrito Sur" which has 3 districts with an area of 47.8 km2. The population density reached 3,084 inhabitants per squared km. in 2016. Obrajes, Bolognia, Koani, Achumani, San Miguel, Cota Cota, Irpavi, Següencoma, Ovejuyo, Chasquipampa, La Florida and [[Calacoto]] are some neighborhoods that make it up. This city district is the area of greatest expansion and growth, both population and the construction sector in La Paz.<ref>{{cite news |title=Macrodistrito Sur |url=http://sitservicios.lapaz.bo/cartillas/descargas/CARTILLA_SUR.pdf |website=Macrodistrito Sur - GAMLP |date=2016 |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601203402/http://sitservicios.lapaz.bo/cartillas/descargas/CARTILLA_SUR.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> This area houses some of the most affluent and exclusive neighborhoods of the city. It has been benefited from steady economic growth and is now the second commercial and financial center of the city, housing international firms like [[Moody's]], [[Citibank]], [[Aon Corporation]], [[Huawei]], [[Millicom]] International Cellular, [[Nissan Motor Corporation]], [[Samsung Electronics]], [[Pan American Silver Corporation]], a [[Sumitomo Corporation]] branch, [[Ernst & Young]], and the "MegaCenter", La Paz's biggest shopping mall.

{{Further|Quilima}}

== Cityscape ==
{{wide image|La Paz Panoramic View from Killi Killi Lookout.jpg|1100px|align-cap=center|[[Panorama]] of La Paz at sunset, from the "Killi Killi" lookout.}}

== Colonial architecture ==
{{Unreferencedsect|date=September 2024}}
[[File:Mon 066 SAS.jpg|left|thumb|Palace of Justice in central La Paz.]]
[[File:TeatroMunicipalAlvertoSaveedraPerez.JPG|thumb|Municipal Theatre of La Paz.]]

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 ==
{{multiple image
| align       = right
| total_width = 400
| image1      = Banco Central de Bolivia, La Paz.jpg
| alt1        = 
| caption1    = The [[Central Bank of Bolivia]]
| image2      = Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas Públicas.jpg
| alt2        = 
| caption2    = The [[Ministry of Economy and Public Finance (Bolivia)|Ministry of Economy and Public Finance]] Building
| footer      = 
| direction   = 
| image3      = Edificio de la Bolsa Boliviana de Valores en La Paz, Bolivia.jpg
| caption3    = Headquarters of the [[Bolivian Stock Exchange]]
}}
{{Unreferencedsect|date=September 2024}}
The economy of La Paz has improved greatly in recent years,{{when|date=February 2019}} 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."
{{Further|The Federation of Private Entrepreneurs of La Paz}}

== Sports ==
[[File:Hernando Siles Stadium - La Paz.jpg|thumb|The [[Estadio Hernando Siles|Hernando Siles Stadium]]]]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]]
* [[Club Always Ready|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 [[Bolivia national football team|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:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
| font-size:100%" style="color:white; text-align:center; background:#37c8ab;"|'''Foundation'''
| colspan="3" font-size:100%" style="color:white; text-align:center; background:#37c8ab;"|'''University'''
| font-size:100%" style="color:white; text-align:center; background:#37c8ab;"|'''World Ranking 2012 (CSIC Webometrics)'''<ref name="mundial">{{cite web |url=http://www.webometrics.info/es/Latin_America_es/Bolivia |title=Bolivia: Ranking Mundial |access-date=7 May 2013 |author=IBCE |date=15 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420192025/http://www.webometrics.info/es/Latin_America_es/Bolivia |archive-date=20 April 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| font-size:100%" style="color:white; text-align:center; background:#37c8ab;"|'''Latin American Ranking 2012 (CSIC Webometrics)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.webometrics.info/es/Latin_America_es |title=Bolivia: Ranking Latinoamerica |access-date=7 May 2013 |author=CSIC |date=15 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407032140/http://www.webometrics.info/es/Latin_America_es |archive-date=7 April 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>'''
| font-size:100%" style="color:white; text-align:center; background:#37c8ab;"|'''Academic Production(Ranking Scimago Lab)'''
| font-size:100%" style="color:white; text-align:center; background:#37c8ab;"|'''National Ranking'''<ref name="mundial" />
| font-size:100%" style="color:white; text-align:center; background:#37c8ab;"|'''Logo'''
| font-size:100%" style="color:white; text-align:center; background:#37c8ab;"|'''Web'''
|-
| 1830-10-25 || [[Universidad Mayor de San Andrés]] || UMSA || Estatal || 2266 || 182 || – || 2 || || [http://www.umsa.bo/ UMSA]
|-
| 1994-03-21 || [[Universidad Católica Boliviana]] San Pablo || UCB || Privada || 3449 || 308 || – || 3 || || [http://www.ucb.edu.bo/ UCB]
|-
| – || Universidad Central de Bolivia || UNICEN || Privada || 4919 || 489 || – || 5 || || [http://www.unicen.edu.bo/ UNICEN]
|-
| – || Universidad Privada del Valle || UPV || Privada || 7686 || 757 || – || 8 || || [http://www.univalle.edu/ UPV]
|-
| – || UP Boliviana || UPB || Privada || 8206 || 822 || – || 9 || || [http://www.upb.edu/ Universidad Privada Boliviana]
|-
| 1950 || Escuela Militar de Ingeniería || EMI || Estatal || 10670 || 1103 || – || 13 || || [http://www.emi.edu.bo/ EMI]
|-
| – || Universidad Salesiana de Bolivia || || Privada || 11280 || 1174 || – || 16 || || [http://www.usalesiana.edu.bo/ Salesiana]
|-
| – || Universidad Nur Bolivia || || Privada || 12461 || 1333 || – || 18 || || [http://www.nur.edu/ NUR]
|-
| – || Universidad Loyola || || Privada || 13398 || 1499 || – || 20 || || [http://www.loyola.edu.bo/ Loyola]
|-
| – || Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar Bolivia || UASB || Estatal || 13418 || 1506 || – || 21 || || [http://www.uasb.edu.bo/ UASB]
|}

== Tourism ==
[[File:Monolitos Miraflores La Paz Bolivia.jpg|thumb|[[Tiwanaku]] Square in front of the football stadium]]
[[File:05-Mercado de las Brujas (La Paz)-6.jpg|thumb|The [[The Witches' Market|Witches' Market]] in the city center, a popular spot for tourists]]
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 ====
[[File:Calle Linares, La Paz.jpg|thumb|Local shops along Linares Street, a popular tourist spot in the city center]]
* 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 [[Tiawanaku]] culture.
* Museo del Litoral (''Museum of the Litoral Coastal Region''): Displays objects from the 1879 war in which Bolivia lost [[Litoral Department|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.[[File:Palacio Quemado (Palacio de Gobierno) y Catedral Metropolitana de La Paz, Bolivia.jpg|thumb|The [[Palacio Quemado]] next to the [[Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz|Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace]]]]
* 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 people|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 ====
[[File:Basilica de San Francisco La Paz.jpg|thumb|The [[Basilica of San Francisco, La Paz|Basilica of San Francisco]], built in 1743]]
* [[Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz|Metropolitan Cathedral]], built in 1835 and located next to the Presidential Palace, on Murillo Square;
* [[Basilica of San Francisco, La Paz, Bolivia|San Francisco Church]], founded in 1548 and rebuilt 1784.
* [[Iglesia La Recolecta (La Paz)|San Jose of the Recoleta Church]], founded in 1896 and completed in 1930.
* [[Parroquia Señor de la Exaltación]], founded in 1956.

==== Other attractions ====
* [[Palacio Quemado|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 ==
[[File:Plato paceño tradicional.jpg|thumb|Traditional ''plato paceño'' consisting of lima beans, potatoes, white corn and fried cheese.]]
Popular food from La Paz includes:
* [[Marraqueta]]
* Plato Paceño
* [[Salteña]]
* [[Fricasé]]
* Picante Mixto
* Api and Pastel
* Llaucha
* Papa Rellena
* Ranga ranga
* [[Chairo (stew) | Chairo]]
* Sandwich de Chola
* [[Anticucho]]
* [[Silpancho]]

== Local festivals ==
[[File:04-Feria de las Alasitas (La Paz)-1.jpg|thumb|The [[Alasitas]] yearly fair, where people buy miniature gifts and pray to the God of prosperity, [[Ekeko]]]]

* 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/01182 |title=Ritual journeys in La Paz during Alasita |date=2017 |access-date=December 3, 2023 |publisher=UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage |language=en}}</ref>
* 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-festival-of-the-santisima-trinidad-del-senor-jesus-del-gran-poder-in-the-city-of-la-paz-01389 |title=The festival of the Santísima Trinidad del Señor Jesús del Gran Poder in the city of La Paz |date=2019 |access-date=December 3, 2023 |publisher=UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage |language=en |archive-date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329014320/https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-festival-of-the-santisima-trinidad-del-senor-jesus-del-gran-poder-in-the-city-of-la-paz-01389 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 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 ==
[[File:Basílica menor de San Francisco, La Paz 18.jpg|thumb|[[Rush hour]] traffic on Mariscal Santa Cruz Avenue in the city center]]
Automobiles and [[public transportation]] are the main means to get into the city. In March 2012, more than 1.5&nbsp;million vehicles were registered.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.laprensa.com.bo/diario/actualidad/economia/20121003/1176812-vehiculos-circulan-en-bolivia_35034_56039.html |title=Public Transport in La Paz |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 October 2012 |publisher=La Prensa |access-date=6 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016065206/http://www.laprensa.com.bo/diario/actualidad/economia/20121003/1176812-vehiculos-circulan-en-bolivia_35034_56039.html |archive-date=16 October 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Heavy traffic is common in the city center and [[Traffic congestion|traffic jams]] occur on peak hours.

=== 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&nbsp;km and crosses the city of El Alto:
[[File:Autopista La Paz-El Alto.jpg|thumb|The main toll of the La Paz - El Alto highway connects both neighboring cities]]
* [[File:DISCO BOLIVIA RUTA 3.png|20px|left]] Autopista La Paz-El Alto/RN-3 (La Paz-El Alto Highway) – Connects La Paz with El Alto.
* [[File:A-1.svg|25px|left]] Autovía La Paz Oruro/A-1 (La Paz-Oruro Highway) – Connects La Paz with the cities of [[Oruro, Bolivia|Oruro]], [[Patacamaya]] and [[Caracollo]]. It then connects with Ruta Nacional 1/RN-1 (National Highway 1) heading south to the cities of [[Potosí]], [[Camargo, Chuquisaca|Camargo]], [[Tarija]].

The Southern District, one of La Paz's most affluent and commercial neighborhoods, is relatively separated from the rest of the city, including the [[Central Business District|CBD]]. The Avenida Costanera and Avenida Kantutani (Costanera and Kantutani Avenues) connect the southern district with the rest of the metropolitan area.

=== Air ===
[[File:El Alto International Airport, New Terminal.jpeg|thumb|[[El Alto International Airport]]]]
[[El Alto International Airport]] (IATA code: LPB) is La Paz's national and international airport and a principal [[airline hub|hub]] for [[Línea Aérea Amaszonas]] and [[TAM – Transporte Aéreo Militar|Transporte Aéreo Militar]]. It also serves as a focus city for [[Boliviana de Aviación]], Bolivia's [[flag-carrier]] and largest airline. The airport is located in the city of [[El Alto]] and is ({{convert|8|mi|abbr=out|disp=output only}}) south-west of La Paz's city center. At an elevation of {{convert|4061|m|0|abbr=off|sp=us}}, it is the highest international airport and fifth highest commercial airport in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oneyearoff.net/countries-visited/south-america/bolivia/report/article/the-highest-international-airport-in-the-world/ |title=The Highest International Airport In The World |work=Grand Escapades |date=26 October 2007 |access-date=7 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213123938/http://www.oneyearoff.net/countries-visited/south-america/bolivia/report/article/the-highest-international-airport-in-the-world/ |archive-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The runway has a length of {{convert|4000|m|mi|1|sp=us}}. It is one of Bolivia's three main international gateways, along with [[Jorge Wilstermann International Airport]] and [[Viru Viru International Airport]].

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 ===
[[File:Terminal de Buses de La Paz.jpg|thumb|The La Paz Bus Station]]
La Paz Bus Station, originally a bus and train station, was built by the French architect [[Gustave Eiffel]]. It is the main gateway for inter-city buses with several daily departures to all the main Bolivian cities, and routes to [[Chile]] and [[Peru]]. The city is connected by road with the city of [[Oruro, Bolivia|Oruro]] from where there are routes to Sucre, [[Potosí]] and the south of the country. Another highway branches off before Oruro to reach [[Cochabamba]] and [[Santa Cruz de la Sierra|Santa Cruz]]. Roads to the west go to [[Copacabana, Bolivia|Copacabana]] and [[Tiwanaku]], near [[Lake Titicaca]], and continue to [[Cuzco]], Peru via the border town of [[Desaguadero (Bolivia)|Desaguadero]]. There are also roads north to get to [[Yungas]] crossing the [[Andes Mountains]].

Departures to smaller cities and towns within the department use informal stations located in Villa Fátima (departures to Los Yungas, [[Department of Beni|Beni]] and [[Department of Pando|Pando]]), Upper San Pedro (for [[Apolo (La Paz)|Apolo]]) and near the General Cemetery (for Copacabana, Lake Titicaca, or via Tiwanaku to Desaguadero on the Peruvian border).

=== Cable car system ===

{{Main|Mi Teleférico}}
[[File:14-Teleférico-La-Paz-nX-2.jpg|thumb|The [[Mi Teleférico]] transit network is the largest aerial cable car urban transit system in the world.]]
A system of urban transit [[Gondola lift|aerial cable cars]] called Mi Teleférico ("My Cable Car") was opened in 2014. Eight lines are in operation, and three more lines are in the planning stage. The initial three lines were built by the [[Austria]]n company [[Doppelmayr Garaventa Group|Doppelmayr]]. The first two lines (Red and Yellow) connected La Paz with [[El Alto]]. All stations have both a [[Spanish language|Spanish]] name and an [[Aymara language|Aymara]] name.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Cable car system La Paz
! Line !! Length !! Travel time !! Stations !! opened
|-
| bgcolor="#FF0000" style="color:white;" | Red Line || 2.4&nbsp;km || 10 min || 3 || May 2014
|-
| bgcolor="#FFFF00" style="color:black;"| Yellow Line || 3.9&nbsp;km || 13.5 min || 4 || September 2014
|-
| bgcolor="#00AA00" style="color:black;"| Green Line || 3.7&nbsp;km || 16.6 min || 4 || December 2014
|-
| bgcolor="#243D98" style="color:white;"| Blue Line || 4.7&nbsp;km || 17 min || 5 || March 2017
|-
| bgcolor="#F79F1C" style="color:black;"| Orange Line || 2.6&nbsp;km || 10 min || 4 || September 2017
|-
| bgcolor="#FFFFFF" style="color:black;"| White Line || 2.9&nbsp;km || 13.1 min || 4 || March 2018
|-
| bgcolor="#00AEEE" style="color:black;"| Sky Blue Line || 2.6&nbsp;km || 11.8 min || 4 || July 2018
|-
| bgcolor="#6A3F8E" style="color:white;"| Purple Line || 4.3&nbsp;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'' '[[Entel Bolivia|Entel]]''' is located in the city and provides telephony, Internet, [[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: [[Unitel Bolivia|Unitel]], ATB Bolivia, Red Uno, [[Bolivision]], Red PAT. Channel 13 is managed by the [[Universidad Mayor de San Andres]]. Two local companies offer cable television service as [[MASTV|Multivision]] and Cotel TV.

== Water supply ==
[[File:La Paz from Above.jpg|thumb|La Paz gets its main water supply from nearby lakes fed by the glaciers of the Andes Mountains]]
The [[water supply]] of La Paz is threatened by the impact of [[climate change]] through the melting of glaciers. The city receives its drinking water from three water systems: El Alto, Achachicala and Pampahasi. La Paz shares the first and largest of these systems with its sister city [[El Alto, La Paz|El Alto]]. All three systems are fed by glaciers and rivers in the [[Cordillera Real (Bolivia)|Cordillera]] mountain range. 20–28% of its water is fed by glaciers, the remainder coming from rainfall and snowmelt. The glaciers recede as a result of climate change, initially increasing water availability during the dry season, but ultimately threatening a substantial decrease in dry season run-off when they completely disappear. A small glacier, the [[Chacaltaya]] near El Alto, already disappeared in 2008. The El Alto system receives its water from the Tuni Dam and two water channels. These channels divert water that flows from the Zongo Glacier on the slopes of [[Huayna Potosi]] and from [[Kunturiri (La Paz)|Condoriri]] North of El Alto.<ref name="SEI" /> The 2.9&nbsp;km long Zongo glacier retreats at a rate of about 18 meters per year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zongo Glacier retreat |url=https://glacierchange.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/zongo-glacier-retreat/ |access-date=10 March 2015 |date=13 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223055718/https://glacierchange.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/zongo-glacier-retreat/ |archive-date=23 December 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Tuni and Condoriri glaciers have lost 39% of their area between 1983 and 2006. According to a study by the [[Stockholm Environment Institute]] (SEI), the El Alto system is the least resilient against the impact of climate change among the three systems. The study says that reducing water distribution losses is the most effective short-term strategy to deal with [[water scarcity]].<ref name=SEI>{{cite web |author1=Nick Buxton |author2=Maria Escobar |author3=David Pureky |author4=Nilo Lima |title=Water scarcity, climate change and Bolivia: Planning for climate uncertainties |url=https://glacierchange.wordpress.com/ |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) |access-date=10 March 2015 |date=2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326084159/https://glacierchange.wordpress.com/ |archive-date=26 March 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Shukman |first=David |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8394324.stm |title=Glacier threat to Bolivia capital |work=BBC News |date=4 December 2009 |access-date=31 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091210051724/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8394324.stm |archive-date=10 December 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> New water sources further to the North in the Cordillera include the Khara Kota and Taypicacha, but they are expensive to develop and their water supply is also affected by glacier melt.

== International relations ==
La Paz is part of the [[Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.munimadrid.es/UnidadWeb/Contenidos/EspecialInformativo/RelacInternac/RRII/HermanamientosyAcuerdos/Files/hermanamiento_UCCI.pdf |title=Declaración de Hermanamiento múltiple y solidario de todas las Capitales de Iberoamérica (12-10-82) |access-date=31 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510114810/http://www.munimadrid.es/UnidadWeb/Contenidos/EspecialInformativo/RelacInternac/RRII/HermanamientosyAcuerdos/Files/hermanamiento_UCCI.pdf |archive-date=10 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> from 12 October 1982.

La Paz is also a member of Merco Ciudades, a group of 180 cities within [[Mercosur]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Mercociudades |url=http://www.mercociudades.org/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=8 |title=Mercocities: member cities |publisher=Mercociudades.org |access-date=31 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522102008/http://www.mercociudades.org/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=8 |archive-date=22 May 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> since 1999.

=== Twin towns – sister cities ===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in South America}}
La Paz is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Hermanamientos |url=https://www.lapaz.bo/hermanamientos-amc/ |website=lapaz.bo |publisher=La Paz |language=es |access-date=2021-12-14 |archive-date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214125824/https://www.lapaz.bo/hermanamientos-amc/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* {{flagicon|PRY}} [[Asunción]], Paraguay
* {{flagicon|COL}} [[Bogotá]], Colombia
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Bonn]], Germany
* {{flagicon|URY}} [[Municipality of Canelones|Canelones]], Uruguay
* {{flagicon|CUB}} [[Havana]], Cuba
* {{flagicon|VEN}} [[Libertador Bolivarian Municipality|Libertador (Caracas)]], Venezuela
* {{flagicon|URY}} [[Montevideo]], Uruguay
* {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Moscow]], Russia
* {{flagicon|ECU}} [[Quito]], Ecuador
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil
* {{flagicon|BRA}} [[São Paulo]], Brazil<ref>{{cite web |title=Cidades-Irmãs de São Paulo |url=https://www.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cidade/secretarias/relacoes_internacionais/assuntos_internacionais/index.php?p=146728 |website=prefeitura.sp.gov.br |publisher=São Paulo |language=pt |access-date=2021-12-14 |archive-date=1 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601012319/https://www.prefeitura.sp.gov.br/cidade/secretarias/relacoes_internacionais/assuntos_internacionais/index.php?p=146728 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|TWN}} [[Taipei]], Taiwan<ref>{{cite web |title=International Sister Cities |url=https://www.tcc.gov.tw/en/cp.aspx?n=13702 |website=tcc.gov.tw |publisher=Taipei City Council |access-date=2021-12-14 |archive-date=21 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621183320/https://www.tcc.gov.tw/en/cp.aspx?n=13702 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Zaragoza]], Spain
<!--rest – outdated, other cooperation than twinning or domestic cooperation-->
{{div col end}}

== Notable people ==
[[File:DanielNunezdelPrado1.JPG|thumb|170px|Daniel Nuñez del Prado 1865]]
* [[Luis Arce]] (born 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 ==
<gallery>
File:LaPaz Plaza Pedro Di Murillo 10.2004.jpg|[[Plaza Murillo]] with Government and Legislative Palaces in the background
File:Lake Titicaca on the Andes from Bolivia.jpg|[[Titicaca Lake]] near La Paz with the Andes in the background
File:La Paz-Calle Jaen.jpg|Calle Jaén.
File:La Paz - Bolivia.png|Buildings in La Paz
File:La Paz, Bolivia.png|La Paz at night
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[1008 La Paz]]
* [[Paceña]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|La Paz.ogg|date=16 April 2005}}
* [http://www.lapaz.bo/ Municipality of La Paz] ({{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221225637/http://www.lapaz.bo/ |date=21 February 2011 }})
* [http://www.boliviaweekly.com/ ''Bolivia Weekly'']{{Dead link|date=February 2025}}

{{List of South American capitals}}
{{La Paz Department}}
{{Sister bar|auto=y|La Paz (Bolivia)}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:La Paz| ]]
[[Category:1548 establishments in South America]]
[[Category:1548 establishments in the Spanish Empire]]
[[Category:Capitals in South America]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1548]]
[[Category:Populated places in La Paz Department (Bolivia)]]