Potosí
The department of Potosi is located southwest of the Republic of Bolivia, bordered on
the north with the departments of Oruro and Cochabamba, on the south with the
Republic of Argentina, on the east by the departments of Chuquisaca and Tarija and
west by the Republic of Chile . It covers an area of 118,218 Km2. and a population of
709.013 inhabitants.
Its capital, the city of Potosi (4067 m) on the slopes of Cerro Rico or “Sumaj Orcko” that
such wealth has provided the Spanish crown. By 1650, it was the world's most populous
city with 200,000 inhabitants, population that surpassed those in London, Paris and
Madrid. Potosi was compared with them because of their importance as urban centers.
The city was born and developed thanks to mining. But the silver veins that made it
legendary are almost exhausted, and mining activity is currently directed towards other
farms. Potosi is one of the largest producers of tin and silver.
There are currently reaching mining projects in the southern part of the country, as is the
case of San Bartolome and San Cristobal. It is important to highlight, that in the Salar de
Uyuni, the largest concentrations of lithium in the world are found. Lithium is the
principal material to make batteries for cell phones, computers, ipods, clocks and a wide
range of electronic items.
As part of the Andean high plateau region produces different varieties of potato, quinoa,
corn and other products for local consumption. Its valleys are producers of fruits and
vegetables. There is a nascent industry that is devoted mainly to food and bev erage
area.
Sightseeing
The city itself is a museum and walking by its streets, you may still feel a colonial
atmosphere that keeps former glories. After this city appeared the phrase "worth a
Potosi" to describe something really worthwhile. You must visit the Mint, the Cathedral,
and a varied number of temples of great beauty. A tour of Cerro Rico complete this visit
to the past.
A few hours from the capital, is the world famous Salar de Uyuni, a striking white desert
of pure salt, covering approximately 12,000 km2. It is a smug expression of nature, full
of lovely scenery to the visitor, who for hours not find more than the white of the salt
and the blue of a cloudless sky. Groups and individuals of all nationalities visit it just to
experience the ecstasy of being in a unique place, full of energy almost religious. It is a
natural attraction unmatched by its beauty and rich geological events such as hot
springs, geysers and volcanic fumaroles besides the colored lagoons.
On the outskirts of Potosi you can also visit the artificial lakes, built around 1575 by order of
Viceroy Toledo and technician of great interest for their time representing excellent
works of hydraulic engineering.
Other natural attractions include hot springs Tarapaya, Miraflores, Don Diego and
Chaqui.
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