COCHABAMBA: “LOYAL AND VALIANT CITY “

Brilla el sol de Septiembre radiante,
Reflejando la gloria inmortal
Del gran pueblo que firme y constante
Fue el primero en la lucha marcial…



September 14th is a historic date due to the insurgent tarateño Esteban Arce, who is known as the organizer of the Cochabambina revolution. Arce, organized an army of patriots to march from the province of Cliza towards the city of Cochabamba on the 14 of September, 1810, sparking the fight for independence.

The name Cochabamba , is derived from quechua “kjcocha pampas ” and means muddy plain. The city conserves its colonial semblance and traditions inherited from their indigenous ancestors. The urban center is surrounded by fertile and productive fields which cultivate a wide variety of foods. There are approximately 1.524.724 inhabitants.

Cochabamba is also considered the Gastronomical capital of Bolivia , due to the great variety of delicious meals that a visitor to the area can sample. One can savour the famous Chicharrón (fried pork) accompanied by “chicha” known as the nectar of the Valley.

The city was founded the 15 of August of 1,571 by the Capitán Jerónimo de Osorio and was originally named “ Real Villa of Oropeza ”, by orders of the Virrey Francisco de Toledo as idea was to create a center of agricultural production to provide food to the mining cities of the region.