What are the major cities of Bolivia? When we talk about the main cities of a country we’re usually referring to the cities with the largest populations or the cities that are most important for other reasons. It could be because they are capital cities, or very well-known cities, or simply the most visited cities in a specific country.

Bolivia has 9 states (which we call departments) and each has a capital city. Therefore, as each is the major city of its state in terms of importance, we’ll tell you about our 9 state capitals first.

In terms of population, there are other major cities of Bolivia that are larger than some of our state capitals. Therefore, we’ll list fun facts about the 10 largest cities in Bolivia.

Bolivia's Major Cities for Tourism

There are cities that, regardless of their size, are the most “known” around the world. You'll find information here on the major cities of Bolivia that are most recognized or visited by foreigners.

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National Population of Bolivia

Here we're classifying the major cities of Bolivia by population. Today (2010) Bolivia has a population of 10, 426,154 inhabitants according to INE statistics. It has 5,201,974 male and 5,224,180 female inhabitants.

Bolivia’s population from 1950 projected through 2050

Source of all population statistics:
INE, National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia

The Nine Capital Cities of Bolivia

The major cities of Bolivia in terms of being capital cities: Bolivia is divided into 9 states which we call departments. This is the population of each department in 2010. These are population projections. The last national census took place in 2001.

Only one of these cities is the capital of Bolivia. Do you know which?

The department of La Paz has 2,839,946 inhabitants.
The capital city of La Paz is La Paz. It has 840,209 people.

See the population of every municipality in the department of La Paz

La Paz: population projected through 2030 by area and gender

The department of Santa Cruz has 2,785,762 inhabitants.
The capital city of Santa Cruz is Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It has 1,841,282 people.

New!! Santa Cruz was named the world's 14th fastest growing city

See the population of every municipality in the department of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz: population projected through 2030 by area and gender

The department of Cochabamba has 1,861,924 inhabitants.
The capital city of Cochabamba is Cochabamba. It has 618,384 people

See the population of every municipality in the department of Cochabamba

Cochabamba: population projected through 2030 by area and gender

The department of Potosí has 788,406 inhabitants.
The capital city of Potosí is Potosí. It has 167,439 people.

See the population of every municipality in the department of Potosí

Potosi: population projected through 2030 by area and gender

The department of Chuquisaca has 650,570 inhabitants.
The capital city of Chuquisaca is Sucre. It has 306,754 people.
Sucre is also the capital city of Bolivia.

See the population of every municipality in the department of Chuquisaca

Chuquisaca: population projected through 2030 by area and gender

The department of Tarija has 522,339 inhabitants.
The capital city of Tarija is Tarija. It has 211,018 people.

See the population of every municipality in the department of Tarija

Tarija: population projected through 2030 by area and gender

The department of Oruro has 450,814 inhabitants.
The capital city of Oruro is Oruro. It has 232,265 people.

See the population of every municipality in the department of Oruro

Oruro: population projected through 2030 by area and gender

The department of Pando has 81,160 inhabitants.
The capital city of Pando is Cobija. It has 43,323 people.

See the population of every municipality in the department of Pando

Pando: population projected through 2030 by area and gender

The department of Beni has 445,234 inhabitants.
The capital city of Beni is Trinidad. It has 97,625 people.

See the population of every municipality in the department of Beni

Beni: population projected through 2030 by area and gender

The 10 Largest Cities in Bolivia

1 Santa Cruz de la Sierra – Department of Santa Cruz
This is the largest city in Bolivia, and also the fastest growing city of Bolivia
1,841,282 inhabitants

2 El Alto – Department of La Paz
Once a suburb of La Paz, it became an autonomous city in the 1980’s
960,767 inhabitants

3 La Paz – Department of La Paz
Seat of two of Bolivia’s branches of government, and called our defacto capital
840,209 inhabitants

4 Cochabamba – Department of Cochabamba
This city is considered to have the best climate in the country
618,384 inhabitants

5 Sucre – Department of Chuquisaca
Sucre is the capital city of Bolivia, and seat of the judicial branch of government
306,754 inhabitants

6 Oruro – Department of Oruro
Known as the folklore capital of Bolivia, for its famous Carnaval de Oruro
232,265 inhabitants

7 Tarija – Department of Tarija
Known for having some of the highest vineyards in the world
211,018 inhabitants

8 Potosí – Department of Potosí
In 1574 it was the largest city in the world with 120,000 inhabitants
167,439 inhabitants

9 Sacaba – Department of Cochabamba
Located in the Chapare, it is Bolivia’s coca growing capital
179,847 inhabitants

10 Montero – Department of Santa Cruz
Has experienced rapid growth. Known for its Expo Norte agricultural fair
98,539 inhabitants