Cochabamba Department

The department of Cochabamba is one of the nine departments into which Bolivia is divided. Its capital and most populated city is the homonymous Cochabamba. It is the third department in economic importance in Bolivia. It is located in the center of the country and its territory covers part of the Elbow of the Andes, the inter-Andean valleys and the tropical plains. It has 1 758 143 inhabitants (ine 2012), it is the third most populous department behind the department of La Paz and the department of Santa Cruz and with 31.6 inhab /km², is the most densely populated department. It was created by decree on January 23, 1826.

According to official data from the National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia, in 2016 the economy of the entire Department of Cochabamba (Gross Domestic Product) reached 5,265 million dollars, which represents 15.46% of the economy Total for Bolivia (34,053 million). Regarding per capita income (GDP per capita), the department closed 2016 with an average of $2,749 per inhabitant.

History

Foundation

In 1571, the Viceroy of Peru, Francisco de Toledo, gave the green light to the project of the landowner Gerónimo de Osorio to found a villa on the site. He had to buy his land from Ruiz de Orellana, giving others to him and other landowners, who refused to move from his farms. He founded Villa de Oropesa on those lands on August 15 of that year, at the foot of San Sebastián Hill. The name was decided by Osorio to honor his sponsor, since the Viceroy had the noble title of Count of Oropesa, the town where he was born. Gerónimo de Osorio, founder of the new Villa de Oropesa, was its first Corregidor and mayor, residing there until his death in 1573.

Second Foundation

For reasons that are still not satisfactorily explained by historians, the year after the death of the founder, another appeared to re-found the town. Sebastián Barba de Padilla, who apparently had already been an official during the Osorio government, asked the Viceroy to give him permission to re-found Villa de Oropesa. It is not known with what arguments he convinced Toledo, but he allowed it, and so on January 1, 1574 the second foundation was made, in the current Plaza 14 de Septiembre.

Geography

It is the only one of the nine departments of Bolivia that does not have an international border because it is in the center of the country. It limits to the north with the department of Beni, to the east with the department of Santa Cruz, to the southeast with the department of Chuquisaca, to the south with the department of Potosí, to the southwest with the department of Oruro and to the west with the department of La Paz.

Its capital is part of the circuit of the three main Bolivian cities: La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Relief

A large part of the territory is mountainous and is crossed by the Cordillera de Cochabamba, which is part of the eastern branch of the Cordillera del Tunari with a general northwest-southeast direction. This mountain range is a group of mountains among which Cerro Tunari, Arkupunku, Cocapata, Mazo Cruz, Yanaqaqa, Totora stand out. In the central part of the department is the so-called Valle Alto, where there are numerous towns. Going down from the Andes is the region of the Yungas, which are deep and narrow valleys that are located between the high mountain peaks and the foothills of the sub-Andean mountain range.

Hydrography

The entire hydrographic network belongs to the Amazon basin. The rivers in the southern part of the mountain range, through the Caine and Mizque rivers, flow into the Mamoré river, through the Río Grande which, after bordering the Department of Chuquisaca, enters and makes a wide detour through the department from Santa Cruz, to its confluence in the Mamoré River, at the point of the tripartite limit between the departments of Beni, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. The rivers on the northern front of the mountain range are the Corani, Chapare and Chimoré, which flow into the Mamoré River. The Ayopaya, Cotacajes, Misicuni, and Altamachi rivers flow into the Beni River.

There are also different lagoons in the department, including the Alalay, La Angostura, and Corani lagoons; and the natural lagoons of the municipality of Vacas: Parququcha, Asiruqucha, Junt'utuyu, Pilaqucha, Qullpaqucha and Yanatama.

Demographics

The population of the department of Cochabamba as of 2012 is 1,758,143 inhabitants, making it the third largest department in terms of population in Bolivia.

Population evolution of the Department of Cochabamba.
Source: INE

Urban areas

The most populated municipalities of Cochabamba are concentrated in the great Metropolitan Area of Cochabamba formed by: Cochabamba, Sacaba, Quillacollo, Vinto, Tiquipaya, Colcapirhua, Sipe Sipe. Other important urban localities are: Villa Tunari, Ivirgarzama, Shinahota, Chimoré, Punata, Puerto Villarroel and Entre Ríos.

Political division

The department is divided into 16 provinces which are in turn divided into 47 municipalities

Economy

This department is agricultural par excellence, for this reason it was called "Bolivia's Granary". Its most important products are corn, wheat, barley, oats, flax, potatoes, vegetables, oca, papalisa, fruits. It also has the following minerals: lead, silver, antimony, gold, diamonds, rubies, etc. In the Chapare we find the only deposits of asbestos in the republic, it has a large amount of forests of fine wood, cascarilla gum. The Camiri to Cochabamba oil pipeline concludes in this department and the Gualberto Villarroel refinery is located. It has canned food trade factories such as DILLMAN, PIL, TAQUIÑA brewery, MANACO shoe factories, cement, tires, fabrics, soaps and cosmetics in general. Also now the city of Cochabamba is known as the Silicon Valley of Bolivia, with a strong presence of large software development companies, Cochabamba has the largest number of software development companies in Bolivia.

Economy size of the Cochabamba Department (PIB) Average watering per inhabitant (PIB per Capita)
Year	GDP (in dollars)	GDPper Capita (in dollars)	Growth Departmental GDP
1988	US$ 851 million	US$ 756
1989	US$ 850 million	US$ 739	+ 1.96 %
1990	US$ 861 million	US$ 730	+ 2.65 %
1991	US$ 967 million	US$ 802	+ 3.03 %
1992	US$ 1 026 million	US$ 832	+ 1.70 %
1993	US$ 1 056 million	US$ 837	+ 5.08 %
1994	US$ 1 099 million	US$ 851	+ 6.44 %
1995	US$ 1 216 million	US$ 921	+ 6.86 %
1996	US$ 1 321 million	US$ 977	+ 4.98 %
1997	US$ 1 419 million	US$ 1 025	+ 4.73 %
1998	US$ 1 532 million	US$ 1 081	+ 4.58 %
1999	US$ 1 541 million	US$ 1 063	+ 1.70 %
2000	US$ 1 569 million	US$ 1 058	+ 2.40 %
2001	US$ 1 493 million	US$ 989	+ 0.17 %
2002	US$ 1 423 million	US$ 926	+ 0.47 %
2003	US$ 1 406 million	US$ 899	- 0.82 %
2004	US$ 1 526 million	US$ 959	+ 5.60 %
2005	US$ 1 613 million	US$ 997	+ 1.47 %
2006	US$ 1 850 million	$124	+ 4.27 %
2007	US$ 2 099 million	US$ 1 256	+ 3.82 %
2008	US$ 2 568 million	US$ 1 512	+ 3.52 %
2009	US$ 2 660 million	US$ 1 541	+ 2.83 %
2010	US$ 2 951 million	US$ 1 683	+ 4.49 %
2011	US$ 3 440 million	US$ 1 932	+ 4.19 %
2012	US$ 3 875 million	US$ 2 144	+ 3.80 %
2013	US$ 4 359 million	US$ 2 377	+ 5.47 %
2014	US$ 4 718 million	US$ 2 536	+ 4.96 %
2015	US$ 4 994 million	US$ 2 645	+ 6.05 %
2016	US$ 5 287 million	US$ 2 760	+ 5.54 %
2017	$596 million	US$ 2 879	+ 2.25 %
2018	US$ 6 037 million	US$ 3 062	+ 5.98 %
2019
Note: In red, the years of decrease of GDP 0 % Down. In green, the years of Regular growth of GDP 0 % and 4.50 %. In blue, the years of Good growth GDP 4.50 % up. Source: National Statistical Institute of Bolivia INE(2019)

Departments of Bolivia according to the size of their economy GDP (gross domestic product) in 2018
Position	Department	Gross Domestic Product	Comparable country in GDP
1.o	Santa Cruz	US$ 11 811 million	GuineaGuinea
2.	La Paz	US$ 11 319 million	MoldovaMoldova
3.o	Cochabamba	US$ 6 037 million	EritreaEritrea
4.o	Tarija	US$ 3 204 million	SurinameSuriname
5.o	Potosí	US$ 2 627 million	BhutanBhutan
6.o	Oruro	US$ 2 071 million	Central African RepublicCentral African Republic
7.	Chuquisaca	US$ 2 030 million	Cape VerdeCape Verde
8.	Beni	US$ 1 104 million	GrenadaGrenada
9.	Pando	US$ 373 million	MicronesiaMicronesia
Total	BoliviaBolivia	US$ 40 581 million	TunisiaTunisia
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bolivia INE(2019)
Departments of Bolivia for average inhabitant wealth (gross domestic product per cup) in 2018
Position	Department	GDP per Capita	Comparable country per capita GDP
1.o	Tarija	US$ 5 689	IraqIraq
2.	La Paz	US$ 3 926	El SalvadorEl Salvador
3.o	Oruro	US$ 3 849	IndonesiaIndonesia
4.o	Santa Cruz	US$ 3 663	Cape VerdeCape Verde
Average	BoliviaBolivia	US$ 3 589	BoliviaBolivia
5.o	Chuquisaca	US$ 3 243	MoroccoMorocco
6.o	Cochabamba	US$ 3 062	PhilippinesPhilippines
7.	Potosí	US$ 2 961	Ukraine Ukraine
8.	Pando	US$ 2 593	EgyptEgypt
9.	Beni	US$ 2 359	HondurasHonduras
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bolivia INE(2019)

Tourism

Tunari Park

The Tunari National Park is located in the center of the department and north of the city of Cochabamba. The area protects a sector of the Tunari mountain range, one of its greatest attractions being the peak of the same name, which has an altitude of 5020 m.

Isiboro-Securé Park

The Isiboro-Securé National Park is located northwest of the department of Cochabamba and south of the department of Beni. The area protects biological diversity -with more than 600 birds-, the headwaters of hydrographic basins and the indigenous populations of TIPNIS.

Villa Tunari in the Chapare.

Carrasco Park

The Carrasco National Park is located east of the city of Cochabamba and borders the Amboró National Park in the department of Santa Cruz. The area protects the biological diversity and in particular of the high Andean biome and the Yungas, being one of its greatest attractions the visit to the habitat of the guácharos birds and walks through the humid and misty forests.

The Chapare

The Chapare province is a tropical zone, located north of the department of Cochabamba. Rivers, birds and vegetation are part of the beautiful landscape of this province with a tropical climate.

Partial view of the Corani Lagoon.

Rural and cultural tourism

Arani

The town of Arani is located 50 km from Cochabamba, known for its agricultural production, known for “Arani bread” and high-quality native textiles. From August 23 to 25, it celebrates the Feast of the Virgen La Bella which, according to legend, appeared engraved on a stone on the banks of the river. From the temple of San Bartolomé (1735-1739), sanctuary of La Bella, the procession completes 14 stations going up to the calvary where the chapel of La Bella is located, where the miniatures (cars, houses, bills, etc.) are rubbed against the altar to guarantee its prosperity during the year. Leaving, the parishioners go in search of a "house" to buy it from La Bella; These are lots with stone walls and roofs with eucalyptus branches, which are "bought" for La Bella for a few pesos as a sign of devotion.

Punata

Punata: Ring fair.

Located 45 km from the city of Cochabamba, the City of Punata preserves remains of a colonial style in its architecture. Around the Main Square are the public entities, housed in old mansions that belonged to wealthy landowners. It has a beautiful temple, the San Juan Bautista church, built in 1770.

Punata: Temple of Saint John the Baptist.

In the Punata province, among other things, you can see the putucus, peasant houses that present atypical characteristics in the valley, it is possible to find them in a good state of conservation in the Laguna Carmen sector. San Benito, the Capital of the Durazno, has an elegant plaza. Villa Rivero (Muela), 9 km from Punata, a populated center well known for the craftsmanship of beautiful fabrics; Near its square are the houses of former President Gualberto Villarroel, enabled as a museum, and that of the well-known writer Jesús Lara; and on the K'illi K'illi hill is the chapel of the Virgin of Surumi that was built around 1940. On Cerro Tuti (for adventure tourism) there is a local road that starts from Paracaya, Cruce de Point, to the north. The journey is made up the hill and from the top of the hill you go down to Melga (Sacaba), enjoying various landscapes along the way.

Tarata

Tarata: Chorizo Fair.

A beautiful colonial-style town and birthplace of great Bolivian heroes like Esteban Arze, it also has a pleasant climate. The population of Tarata also has beautiful landscapes, old bridges and colonial houses.

Tarata: Convent of San José and Sanctuary of San Severino.

Cows

View of the population of Vacas.

In the town of Vacas, which is located 85 km from the city of Cochabamba, you can visit its parish church built towards the end of the century XVIII, where the image of Santa Bárbara is venerated, which according to tradition appeared in the form of a shepherdess, whose feast is celebrated on December 4. Within the Municipality of Vacas there are also important attractions for tourism, such as its lagoons (Parququcha, Asiruqucha, Junt'utuyu, Pilaqucha, Qullpaqucha and Yanatama), where you can fish and appreciate the wild ducks of the Andes; the historic premises of the "Escuela Indigenal de Vacas", today occupied by the Higher School of Teacher Training "Ismael Montes"; You can also appreciate the Turu Wayq'u waterfalls, and the ancient plant Puya raimondii, commonly known as the chukiqayara. In addition, the "Silverside and Tourism Fair" which is held annually on the second Sunday of April.

Adventure tourism

Inkachaka

Semitropical zone with waterfalls, streams and exuberant vegetation. Located 80 km from the city of Cochabamba, the place is suitable for sport fishing. In the area there are also the Inca archaeological ruins of Incachaca.

Morochata

You can visit the hot springs of Santa Rosa and Independencia. In the place there are lagoons, ideal for trout fishing and observing Canadian geese, wild ducks, partridges, condors, flamingos and vizcachas.

Gastronomy

Called the capital of gastronomy, dishes to taste are chicharrón, pique macho, sillp'anchu and k'allu. As well as the quesillo from Cochabamba, the huminta, the papa wayk'u, the trancapecho, and many more dishes.

Anniversaries

• 4 January: Creation of the Punata Province.
• January 14: Anniversary of the last Cochabambin revolution (1825).
• 23 January: Creation of the Department of Cochabamba (1826).
• January 26: Creation of Mizque Province.
• January 26: Creation of the Tapacarí Province.
• April 30: Anniversary of Sipe Sipe.
• May 18: Anniversary of Punata.
• May 24: Anniversary of the Battle of Qiwiñal (1812).
• 25 May: Anniversary of the execution of the indigenous leader Martin Uchu (1781).
• May 27: Anniversary of the Battle of the Coronilla (1812), "Mother's Day".
• June 24: Creation of the province of José Carrasco.
• June 29: Anniversary of Sacaba.
• 8 July: Creation of the Campero Province (1899)
• 6 August: Anniversary of National Independence (1825).
• September 12: Creation of the Quillacollo Province.
• 14 September: Departamental Ephemerians who homage to the revolution of 1810.
• 14 September: Anniversary of Villa 14 of September (Chapare).
• September 24: Creation of the Germán Jordan Province.
• October 15: Creation of the Tiraque Province.
• 14 November: Anniversary of Tarata.
• November 24: Creation of the Arani Province.
• November 24: Creation of the Esteban Arze Province.
• December 4th: Anniversary of Vacas.
• 2 February: Virgin of the Candelaria (Aiquile, Totora).
• August 15: Virgin of Urqupiña (Quillacollo).
• September 24: Lord of the Miracles (Punata).
• November: Virgin of the Amparo (Sacaba, third Sunday).
• 4 December: Santa Barbara (Vacas).