Altitude:
3709 mt/a/s/l
Population: 215.660 (city); 391.870 (department).
The city of Oruro, which is
also known as the Folk Capital of Bolivia, lies on the Altiplano
at 3 1/2 hrs from La Paz by bus. It was one of the most
important economic centres during the boom of mining in
Bolivia. There, you can visit the Santuario & Museo
de la Virgen del Socavón, Museo Casa de Patino, Museo
Antropológico, Museo Mineralógico, the stage
for climbers known as Rumi Campana.
Fiestas
Carnaval (February or March),
is the major fiesta of Oruro, and it makes the most important
and fascinating folk event in America.
Surroundings
Some
places that you can visit around Oruro are: the funerary
monuments or "chullpas" of Chusa K'éri.
In Cala Cala, 20 Km away of the city, there are ancient
rock paintings of llamas. The village of Poopo, at 50 Km
on the road to Potosí, there are ancient lithographs
and hot springs. The stone formations of Pumiri can be visited
on the circuit Oruro - Curahuara de Carangas - Sajama.
One of the most spectacular
places in me region is the Parque Nacional Sajama, on the
highway to Arica (Chile). It's at about 4 hours (by bus)
from La Paz, the same as from Oruro. The main attraction
in this park is the impressive extinguished volcano Sajama
(6520 mt). There are forests of K'eñuas at its foot,
the only one
that grow at the highest altitude on the world. On the route,
there are "chullpares"; or Aymara funerary towers
and beautiful colonial churches such as the church of Curahuara
de Carangas.
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