Centrality of Cochabamba

The department of Cochabamba has a central position in the country. The Andes are found to the West, with the Tropical Plains to the east, in the region of Santa Cruz. The city of Cochabamba lies in a fertile valley 25 km long and 10 km wide at 2,560 m in altitude. The region is the center of agriculture for all of Bolivia, growing maize, corn, and potatoes. The name comes from the Quechua words Khocha and Pampa meaning 'swampy plain'. It has agreeable climate all year long, most Cochabambinos boast that Cochabamba has the best climate of all of Bolivia.

Population and Urbanization Cochabamba's population is at about 1/2 million yet still growing steadily. Bolivia's pattern of urbanization is exemplified by Cochabamba's growth since the beginning of the 20th Century. Whereas in the 1950's the city's popluation was at 86,000, increasing at an annual percentage of 2.5 and being only 16.5% of the department's popluation, by 1986, the population was increasing at 4.2%. In 1986, the city's population was 31% of the department's population. From Library of Congress: Case Study on Bolivia

 

History of Cochabamba

Cochabamba was founded in 1574 by Sebastian Barba de Padilla. During the height of Potosi's silver boom, the Cochabamba Valley developed as a primary source of food for the miners of Potosi due to its agriculturally rich land. The valley was known as the "Breadbasket of Bolivia" and produced maize and wheat. In the early 18th Century when Potosi declined in importance, so did Cochabamba. Bolivia entered an economic crisis. In the mid 19th Century, when the economy stabilised, the city resumed its position as the nation's granary. Today Cochabamba still has rich fields and grows food which is exported to other parts of the country. See Economy.