About Potosi
Bolivia's mining city, Potosi, is located in the south of the country, at the skirts of Cerro Rico Mountain. The city is 4 thousand meters above sea level. This value is the highest of the sea-level elevations of cities with a population of more than 100 thousand people. Potosi, with its colonial history that marked its past, was the world's largest silver supplier during the 300 years of Spanish colonialism. The silver mines, which the city had, were the largest source of income of the colonial administration during the Spanish colonial period. Potosi was one of the richest and largest cities in the world in the 17th century thanks to its silver mines. Today, the silver resources of Potosi are running out. However, it seems like zinc, lead and tin have replaced silver.
Cerro Rico, meaning Rich Hill in the local language, is 4,800 meters high and continues to develop Potosi in terms of mineral and economic income, though not as much as silver. Cerro Rico is a national figure and monument to be placed on the country flag. Also, its name is in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The presence of the city goes back to the Inca period. However, the official establishment of the city was realized by the Spanish in 1546. While the discovery of the Cerro Ricco mines is explained by legends, it is known that mining that turned into slavery at that time has cost millions of lives, from the year 1545 to the end of the colonial period, 1845.
The situation is not so different nowadays; it is striking that the miners working in the Potosi mines are not as rich as the city they live in. The structures that draw attention as an expression of the mineral wealth of the past are San Lorenzo Church, the Potosi Katedrali and the Santa Teresa Monastery. The mint, where the mined silver was turned into coins and bullion, is now serving as a museum. The Mint Museum (Casa de la Moneda) is the city's most striking tourist attraction. In addition, mining tours are also attracting considerable attention. The Potosi climate exhibits features similar to those of the subtropical highland climate. The summers are cool with an average of 20 degrees Celsius; the winters are cold with an average of -4 degrees Celsius. Captain Nicolas Rojas Airport is 8.5 kilometers away from town.
