Cochabamba is a city in Central Bolivia, located in the Cochabamba valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Bolivian State of Cochabamba and is the third largest city in Bolivia with a metropolitan population of more than 800,000 people. The name derives from a compound of the Quechua words "qhocha" (Swamp) and "Pampa" (plain). Residents of the city and surrounding areas are commonly referred to as "Cochabambinos." Cochabamba is known throughout South America as the "City of Eternal Spring" and "The Garden City" due to its warm tempteratures year round and abundant well kept parks.
History: The Cochabamba Valley was initially controlled by the ancient Tiwanaku Empire and later colonized by the Inca Empire for its fertile productive soils. The Inca Emperor Huayna Capac designated Cochabamba as the Empire's grainery. The Incas forced the native indigenous groups, mainly Aymara, to relocate while at the same time throught their resettlement policy of mitma, loyal Quechua speaking Incas were brought into Cochabamba. many of the original indigenous were also sent eastward to battle the Guarani at the Empire's frontier. The Incas constructed 2,500 silos to store corn that would later be distributed throughout the Empire.
The first Spanish inhabitant of the Valley was Garci Ruiz d e Orellana in 1542. He purchased the majority of the land from local tribal chiefs Achata and Consavana through a title registered in 1552 at the Imperial City of Potosi. The price paid was 130 pesos. His residence known as the House of Mayorazgo still stands in the Cala Cala neighborhood of the city.
Villa de Oropesa (as Cochabamba was first called) was founded on 2 August 1571 by order of Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa. It was to be an agricultural producation center to provide food for the mining towns of the relatively nearby Altiplano region, particularly the city of Potosi which became one of the largest and richest cities in the world during the 17th century - funding the vast wealth that ultimately made Spain a world power at the time. With the silver mining industry in Potosi at its height, Cochabamba thrived during its first centuries of existence. The city entered a period of decline during the 18th century as mining began to wane.
The 1793 census shows that the city had a population of 22,305 persons. there were 12,980 mestizos, 6,368 Spaniards, 1,182 indigenous natives, 1,600 mulattos and 175 African slaves.
In 1786, King Charles III of Spain renamed the city to the 'loyal and valient' Villa of Cochabamba. This was done to commend the city's pivotal role in suppressing the indigenous rebellions of 1781 in Oruro by sending armend forces to Oruro to quell the uprisings.
Since the late 19th century it has again been generally successful as an agricultural center for Bolivia. In 2000, Cochabamba was wracked with large-scale protests over the privatisation of the city's water supply.
In January 2007 a clash between middle class citizens of the north of the city and poorer rural campesinos lead to the death of 2 and over 130 injured. The northerners wanted the campesinos to vacate the central plaza, where days earlier the campesinos had set the departmental seat of government building on fire and were blockading roads coming into and out of the city. The campesinos wanted to force the resignation of the elected Prefect of Cochabamba, Manfred Reyes Villa.
Climate: Cochabamba lies in a fertile valley at 2,558 meters (8,600 ft) above sea level. It's whether is mild and pleasant with warm sunny days and cool nights. The climate is dry. During their winter season (our summer) temperatures can very from daytime highs in the 80's to nightime lows in the 40's. Their winter season is also a part of their dry season so no rain is expected.
Languages: The most widely spoken languages in Cochabamba are Spanish (Castellano as locals call it) and Quechua (a Native Indian Dialect).
