BOLIVIA | Monday, 4 February 2008 | Views [311]
The main plaza in central Potosi. Potosi was founded in 1545 after the discovery of ore deposits in the surrounding mountains. It quickly became the undisputed ´richest city in the world´ with the profits from numerous silver mines fueling the city´s rapid expansion. The generated wealth helped to underwrite the Spanish economy for over 2 centuries. The mines were so dangerous that over 8 Million people died in those 2 centuries - many of them african slaves brought over by the Spanish to work in the mines.
Most of the ore has now been mined out and town is merely a faded reflection of its former self. However, Potosi still has the claim to fame of being the ´World´s highest city´ at 4060m (13,400ft).
