This is a map of the city and the Zona Sur - the road leading to the Southeast from La Paz.

In the early days of La Paz, the elite occupied houses adjacent to the CBD, but by the mid-1950's they began the gradual drift along the emerging Spine southeast of the CBD. Their move was sparked by the agrarian land reforms and the increase in shantytowns around the city. Prior to their permanent move to the lower valleys, many wealthy residents had summer houses on land they owned outside the city, so when the lower classes began to take over the city, the elite took up permanent residence on their recreation land.

The lower valley was attractive for its allowance for grand, spacious residences and to escape the view of the sprawling poverty of El Alto. It also has a noticeably warmer climate.

The expansion of the commercial core led to the development of a classic spine. The spine is a natural occurrence, spreading the shops, restaurants, and sources of entertainment and commerce gradually closer to the people who support it - the wealthy. The spine acts as an extension of downtown. La Paz is the probably the only major city that does not have a mall, but don't worry, it will probably get one soon. And the mall would most definately be located in the Zona Sur, near the wealthy people.

An Upper Class House in the Zona Sur

The houses in the Zona Sur are primarily "California-style stucco homes with tiled roofs"(Weil 171). These houses all have large, high cement or stone walls around them, that also enclose a backyard and possibly a garden. There is a limit of 4 stories on all buildings constructed in this area.

The Zona Sur area also boasts the highest golf course in the world, called Mallasilla's Golf Course. This is evidence of the wealthy elite culture that has taken up the lower valley suburbs Southeast of the city.