Oruro

Founded on November 1, 1606 as a silver mining centre in the Urus region, Oruro is now a major city in Bolivia with a population of 235,393 (2010 census), located at 12,159 ft or 3,706 m above sea level. After the silver mines exhausted, Oruro was re-established in the late 19th century as a tin mining centre. Oruro’s La Salvadora tin mine was once the most important source of tin in the world. Gradually, this resource became less plentiful, and Oruro again witnessed decline, although its primary employer is still the mining industry.