La Paz
La Paz, officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz, is the seat of government of Bolivia and the capital of the Department of La Paz.
La Paz is the seat of government of Bolivia and the administrative capital of the Department of La Paz. It is widely recognized as the world’s highest national capital, situated in a canyon at about 3,650 m above sea level.
What it is
Officially Nuestra Señora de La Paz, the city serves as Bolivia’s political centre, housing the executive, legislative, and electoral branches. While Sucre remains the constitutional capital, La Paz has been the seat of national government since 1898.
Key details
La Paz is located in western Bolivia, about 68 km southeast of Lake Titicaca, in a canyon carved by the Choqueyapu River and surrounded by the Altiplano. Its elevation averages 3,650 m, with higher areas reaching about 4,150 m. The city had an estimated population of 755,732 in 2024.
Why it matters
La Paz is notable for its extreme altitude, which shapes its urban landscape and daily life. As Bolivia’s administrative hub, it plays a central role in the country’s governance and is often cited as the highest national capital in the world.
In short
- La Paz is Bolivia’s seat of government, not the constitutional capital (that’s Sucre).
- It sits at about 3,650 m elevation, making it the world’s highest national capital.
- The city is in a canyon in western Bolivia, near Lake Titicaca.
- Population was 755,732 in 2024.
Quick questions
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Sources
- Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_PazSupports: Official name, location in western Bolivia, elevation, and political role as seat of government and capital of the Department of La Paz.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_PazSupports: Population estimate, location relative to Lake Titicaca, and geographic setting in a canyon formed by the Choqueyapu River.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/La-Paz-BoliviaSupports: La Paz as Bolivia’s administrative capital and highest national capital, plus its elevation range and constitutional capital distinction with Sucre.
- Gobierno Autónomo Municipal de La Paz — https://sitservicios.lapaz.bo/sit/catastro/atlas/jurisdiccion-municipal.htmlSupports: Municipal coordinates, territorial extent, and the fact that the city is the seat of the national government.
- INEGI — https://www.inegi.org.mx/contenidos/app/mexicocifras/datos_geograficos/03/03003.pdfSupports: Not used for the Bolivia article; result is for La Paz, Baja California Sur, and was excluded from factual claims.