La Paz was founded in 1548 with the name Nuestra Señora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace). This name commemorated the restoration of peace following the civil war which started with Gonzalo Pizarro’s (Spanish conquistador) insurrection two years earlier. The city became the administrative capital in 1898, and is the seat of the Government (Sucre remains the nominal capital; the High Court of Justice also resides there). La Paz is also the highest capital in the world, situated at 3,600 m (11,800 ft) above sea level. At least that’s what the touristic brochures tell you. In fact, it is situated at three different altitude levels between (approximately) 2,800 (9,200 ft) and 4,000 metres (13,100 ft). At 4,000 m are the city of El Alto, the international airport and the poor neighbourhoods. At 3,600 m you
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