Villa Imperial De Potosi Stock Photo

Potosi known as Villa Imperial de Potosì­ in the colonial period, is the capital city and a municipality of the Department of Potosì­ in Bolivia. It is one of the highest cities in the world at a nominal 4,090 metres 13,420 ft. For centuries, it was the location of the Spanish colonial silver mint. Potosà lies at the foot of the Cerro de Potosà - sometimes referred to as the Cerro Rico `rich mountain` - a mountain popularly conceived of as being `made of` silver ore that dominates the city. The Cerro Rico is the reason for Potosi­`s historical importance since it was the major supply of silver for the Spanish Empire until Guanajuato in Mexico surpassed it in the 18th century.