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Located at nearly 12,000 feet, Oruro is built on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Real in the Altiplano. It is 120 miles southeast of La Paz, and is a major railway center. The current population, mostly Indian, is approximately 200,000, making it the fourth largest city in Bolivia. Nearby is Lake Poopo, a large saline lake similar to the Great Salt Lake. Mining is another connection between the two cities. In 1545, the Spanish discovered the Cerro Rico Mountain to be an almost solid mass of ore. An abundance of silver made Oruro a booming town during those colonial times; it then fell into a decline as the mines were closed. Later, mining for tin, copper and tungsten became important and a 20,000 ton silver smelter was built nearby. Mining is again on the decline, and new industries and the city is seeking new employment opportunities. Oruro is known as the folklore capital of Bolivia because of its famous eight-day carnival, "La Diablada." Part of this celebration is a huge parade of dancers dressed in elaborate costumes and masks, representing the story of the battle between good and evil. Oruro is rich in the variety of cultures within its borders. The Sister City relationship between Oruro and Salt Lake City began in 1976. |
