Sucre

Sucre is a city in Bolivia.

It sits high in the hills. This makes the air feel cool all year.

The city has many names. It was once called Charcas. People also call it Chuquisaca.

Many houses are painted white.

This gives it a pretty look.

Sucre is a place for learning. It has a very old school. People come from far away to study there.

It is also a place for laws. The high court sits in the city. Sucre is a very special place.

Sucre is a special city in Bolivia.

It sits in the south-central part of the country. The city is high in the Andes mountains. It sits at 2,798 meters above sea level. This high spot makes the weather cool all year.

Many people call it "La Ciudad Blanca." This means "The White City." This is because many old houses are painted white.

Sucre has many names from its long history. It was once an Inca town called Chuquisaca. Later, it was called La Plata. Today, the city is named after a leader named Antonio José de Sucre.

Sucre is also a place for laws. The Supreme Court of Bolivia is located here. It is one of two main centers for the government.

Sucre is a very important city in Bolivia.

It sits in the south-central part of the country. The city is located in the Chuquisaca Department. It is the sixth largest city in Bolivia. Sucre is very high up in the mountains. It sits at 2,798 meters above sea level. This makes it the second-highest capital city in the world.

The high altitude creates a subtropical highland climate. This means the weather stays cool all year. You might see summer thunderstorms during the rainy season.

The city has many different names from its long history. Long ago, it was an Inca town called Chuquisaca. This name might mean "a heap of precious metal." Later, the Spanish called it La Plata. Today, the city is named after Antonio José de Sucre. He was a famous revolutionary leader. Many people also call it "La Ciudad Blanca." This means "The White City." This nickname comes from the white paint on the many old houses.

Sucre has a very deep history that goes back many years. Before the Spanish arrived, the Inca people lived there. The Spanish founded the city on November 30, 1538. They called it Ciudad de la Plata de la Nueva Toledo. In 1559, the Spanish King Philip II made it a center of power. It was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru for a long time. The city was even the first capital of Bolivia.

It was a major center for the silver trade.

The city is a very special place for learning and law.

It is home to the St. Francis Xavier University. This is one of the oldest universities in the new world. Sucre is also a center for the government. It is the seat of the Supreme Court of Justice. Even though the government moved to La Paz in 1898, Sucre is still the constitutional capital. It is one of two main government centers in the country.

Visitors love to see the beautiful old buildings in Sucre.

The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means the buildings are protected because they are so important. The streets are laid out in a neat grid. You can see many old churches and convents. Some people wear traditional religious clothes in the streets. The city is also known for its culture and dances. It is a place where history and modern life live together.

Sucre is the de jure capital of Bolivia.

This means it is the official capital according to the nation's constitution. It also serves as the capital of the Chuquisaca Department. Sucre is the sixth most populous city in the country. It sits in the south-central region of Bolivia.

The city is located at an elevation of 2,798 meters. This makes it the second-highest capital city in the world. Only Quito is higher. This high altitude creates a subtropical highland climate. The weather remains cool throughout the year. You might experience summer thunderstorms during the rainy season.

The geography of Sucre is quite unique. It sits at the head of valleys. This area is part of the inter-Andean valleys. These valleys lie between the high Andean plateau and the low Gran Chaco plains. The city is located in the Oropeza Province. It rests at the foot of the Sica Sica and Churuquella hills. These hills are actually ancient extinct volcanoes.

The location marks a boundary between two major water systems. One side is the Amazon basin. This includes the Chico and Grande rivers. The other side is the La Plata River basin. This includes the Cachimayu and Pilcomayu rivers. The city is divided into eight districts. Five of these are urban districts. The other three are rural districts.

Sucre has a very long and complex history. Before Spanish colonization, it was an Inca town. The name for this town was Chuquisaca. The name likely comes from Quechua words. The word "chuqi" means precious metal or silver. The word "shaqa" can mean a heap or an abundance. Together, the name might mean a heap of precious metal. The Inca ruler Topa Inka Yupanqui conquered the area. He imposed the Quechua language on the local Aymara people. The Spanish founded the city on November 30, 1538. Pedro Anzures, the Marqués de Campo Redondo, led this foundation. He named it Ciudad de la Plata de la Nueva Toledo.

During the colonial era, Sucre was a major center of power. In 1559, King Philip II established the Audiencia de Charcas. This was a judicial and administrative body. It had authority over much of the surrounding region. This included parts of modern Paraguay, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Sucre was a vital part of the Viceroyalty of Peru. Later, it became part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata in 1776. The city was a center for the silver trade. Wealthy families often lived here to enjoy the temperate climate. The city's architecture reflects Andalusian culture. The streets follow a neat grid pattern. Many large houses, convents, and churches define the landscape.

The city played a key role in Bolivian independence. On May 25, 1809, the independence movement began. This happened when a bell was rung at the Basilica of Saint Francisco. The bell was rung so hard it almost broke. It is still kept as a precious relic today. Sucre was the provisional capital of Upper Peru in 1826. Later, it became the first capital of the new nation of Bolivia. In 1839, President José Miguel de Velasco renamed the city. He named it after Antonio José de Sucre. He was a great marshal of the Battle of Ayacucho.

Eventually, the seat of government moved to La Paz in 1898. This happened after the silver industry in Potosí declined.

Today, Sucre remains a major center for law and education. It is one of two main governmental centers in Bolivia. While La Paz is the seat of government, Sucre is the seat of the judiciary. The Supreme Court of Justice is located here. The city is also a famous place for learning. It is home to the St. Francis Xavier University of Chuquisaca. This is one of the oldest universities in the New World.

The city is also known as "La Ciudad Blanca." This means "The White City." This nickname comes from the white paint on many colonial buildings.

Sucre is recognized globally for its historic beauty. In 1991, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is because its historic center is very well preserved. The architecture is similar to cities like Cuzco and Quito.

The city is also a place of vibrant culture. One famous dance is the cueca. The city helped spread this dance to other areas. The local population is predominantly of Quechua background. There are also Aymara communities. This mix of history and culture makes Sucre a very important part of South America.