Overview:

El Alto is the second most populous city in Bolivia, located just outside of the capital La Paz. It is situated at an elevation of 4,150 m (13,615 ft) above sea level making it the highest capital city in the world. El Alto is also known by its official name, Nuestra Señora de La Paz. Founded in the late 1940s, it became an independent municipality in 1985. The city has a population of around 1 million, and is one of Latin America’s most socioeconomically diverse cities. It has one of the highest rates of inequality in the country. The city is home to a number of indigenous communities, and large scale migration has helped shape the city. However, this has often led to an increase in crime, violence, and poverty. El Alto is known for its lively markets, vibrant street life, and its unique fusion of cultures. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Bolivia
Prominent Features:

1. El Alto is the highest major city in the world, situated at an elevation of 4,150 meters. 2. El Alto is known as a multicultural, cosmopolitan city with a high indigenous population; approximately 85 percent of the inhabitants are of Aymara origin, the majority of whom are subsistence farmers. 3. El Alto is an important transportation hub, with its own international airport connecting it to other points within Bolivia, Peru, and Chile, as well as a major intercity bus terminal. 4. The city is home to a vibrant street market, the famous 16 de Julio Market, where a variety of goods can be purchased. 5. El Alto is an important political center, hosting numerous demonstrations and events, including a major student protest in 2010. 6. Several significant ski resorts are located within the city limits, including the popular Alto California ski resort. 7. El Alto is home to two notable churches, the Basilica of San Fransisco and the Iglesia de San Sebastian. 8. The city is known for its vibrant nightlife, with many nightclubs and bars playing a variety of music from traditional Aymara folk music to modern reggaeton. This national monument of Bolivia portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The city of El Alto, Bolivia, was founded in 1905 as a satellite city to nearby La Paz, Bolivia. The city was initially populated largely by Aymara people, and was largely underdeveloped until the 20th century, when the city began to experience a period of rapid growth due to an influx of people from other parts of the country. In the 1950s, El Alto emerged as a hub for trade, as the city provided access to routes to Lake Titicaca, Peru, and Argentina. A road linking El Alto to La Paz was constructed in 1984, establishing El Alto as the second most populous city in Bolivia. In the following years, El Alto's industrial sector grew rapidly. Many markets were established and agriculture, textiles, and leather production became popular in the area. In the late 1990s, El Alto was the center of the Bolivian Gas War, a period of civil unrest and social conflict caused by the privatization of Bolivia's natural gas resources. This period of unrest was largely put to an end when the All Common Nationalities Plan (planned by the government of Evo Morales) was implemented in 2006. In the 21st century, El Alto has become an important cultural, industrial, and commercial center in Bolivia. The city is home to numerous markets, shopping centers, universities, and is the hub of the Bolivian telecommunications industry. El Alto is also the largest center of Aymara culture and an important center for protests and demonstrations, and has been the site of important Bolivian political events in recent years. You must visit one of these historical places in Bolivia on your Bolivia tour

Interesting facts:

1. El Alto is the highest major city in the world, situated roughly 4,150 meters (13,615 feet) above sea level. 2. El Alto is one of the fastest growing cities in Latin America, its population having tripled since 1986, when it was declared an official city. 3. El Alto is home to many indigenous people of Aymara ethnicity, who take their culture and history from the nearby city of Tiwanaku. 4. The city is a major hub of economic activity and a gateway to the more expensive capital city of La Paz, which lies directly to the south at 3800 meters (12,467 feet) above sea level. 5. El Alto's urban sprawl is a stark portrayal of the nation’s extreme wealth and poverty gap, as it contains some of the country’s more affluent neighborhoods residing side by side with some of the most deprived. 6. El Alto is known for its vibrant nightlife, full of street vendors, restaurants and bars, and is one of the few cities in Bolivia which operates with a 24-hour economy. 7. The city is home to a number of museums, a casino, and the world’s highest football stadium, Estadio Hernando Siles – which sits 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level. Visit one of the famous monuments of Bolivia with your friends and family.