Sucre

Sucre, city (1992 pop. 131,769), S central Bolivia, constitutional capital of Bolivia and capital of Chuquisaca dept. Since 1898, La Paz has been the administrative capital of Bolivia. Sucre was founded in 1538 and called La Plata; the city was also called Chuquisaca and Charcas. It was given its present name in 1839 in honor of the revolutionary leader Antonio José de Sucre. The city lies in a mountain valley on the eastern slope of the Andes at an altitude of c.8,500 ft (2,590 m). The climate is moderate. Sucre is a major agricultural center and supplies the mining communities of the barren altiplano. It also has an oil refinery and a cement plant. The city is the seat of the archbishopric, the supreme court, and the national university, San Francisco Xavier, which was founded c.1625 and specializes in law. The revolt against Spanish rule began in Sucre in 1809.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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