The legal capital of the South American country of Bolivia is Sucre. It is the site of the country's supreme court. The country's executive and legislative functions, however, are carried out in La Paz. Sucre is one of the oldest cities in South America and retains its historic charm. It lies in a fertile valley crossed by the Río Cachimayo at 9,153 feet (2,790 meters) above sea level.

Places of interest

Most of the buildings in Sucre are painted white as they were in the days of the Spanish Empire. The museum in the Casa de la Libertad (main plaza) exhibits Bolivia's Declaration of Independence, signed in 1825. The University of San Francisco Xavier in Sucre was founded in 1624. It is one of the oldest universities in South America. Many colonial churches survive, including a 17th-century cathedral.

Economy

Sucre became an important commercial and agricultural center following the establishment of certain key transportation links. These were a railroad to Potosí, a pipeline to the petroleum fields of Camiri, a road to Cochabamba, and secondary roads to nearby valleys. The city's industries include oil refining and the production of cement.

History

Sucre was founded in 1539 by the conquistador Pedro de Anzúrez on the site of a Charcas Indian village. The Spanish colonial name for the city was La Plata. It was also called Charcas and Chuquisaca. The name Chuquisaca was the Indians' name for the site, and it probably means “the headquarters of the Charcas.”

In 1559 Sucre became the capital of Charcas audiencia, or the judicial and military territory of Upper Peru. Much later, in 1825, it became the capital of Bolivia and was renamed in honor of Antonio José de Sucre. In 1898 an effort to move the capital to La Paz resulted in a civil war. The outcome was a compromise: Sucre remained the capital in name and law as well as the seat of the supreme court, but the executive branch and legislature moved to La Paz. Population (2000 estimate), 192,238.