Cochabamba - History

In 1542 a group of Spanish colonizers settled in the Kjocha-Pampa valley. Ten years later, on August 2nd, 1571, by orders of viceroy Toledo the new city was founded under the name of Villa de Oropeza in honour of the viceroy whose title was Count of Oropeza. Three years later, on January 1st, 1574 the nominal foundation was made by Sebastián Barba de Padilla under orders of viceroy Toledo too. The new city was established along the shores of the Rocha river. From the early days of its existence, the valley showed hints of its natural wealth. At the height of Potosí's silver boom, thanks to its wheat and corn production as well as its cattle abundance, the valley became the source of food for the miners in Potosí as well as for other nearby regions. When Potosí's boom declined in the early 18th century, so did the demand for Cochabamba's products. By the mid-19th century, however, the economic crisis faded away and the city gained back its position as the nation's granary. Currently, Cochabamba is a progressive and economically active city.

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