La Higuera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Higuera
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The Che Guevara monument
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 La Higuera
Location in Bolivia
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| Country | Bolivia |
| Department | Santa Cruz |
| Province | Vallegrande |
| Municipality | Pucará |
| Canton | La Higuera |
| Population
(2001)
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| • Total | 119 |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (BOT) |
La Higuera (which means "The Fig Tree" in Spanish) is a small village in Bolivia. It is located in the Santa Cruz area, within the Vallegrande region. The village is part of the La Higuera Canton, which belongs to the Pucará Municipality.
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About La Higuera's Location
This small village is about 150 kilometers (about 93 miles) southwest of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It is also about 15 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of Pucará. La Higuera sits high up, at an elevation of 1,950 meters (about 6,400 feet). In 2001, only 119 people lived there. Most of them are from the Guaraní group.
La Higuera's Historical Importance
La Higuera is famous because of a major historical event. On October 8, 1967, a well-known revolutionary leader named Che Guevara was captured near the village. This happened in a nearby ravine called Quebrada del Churo. His capture marked the end of his plan to start a big revolution across South America.
Che Guevara's Last Days
After his capture, Che Guevara was held in the village schoolhouse. He was killed there the very next day. His body was then taken to Vallegrande. There, it was shown to the public before being secretly buried under an airstrip.
Visiting La Higuera Today
Today, La Higuera is a popular place for tourists. Many people from all over the world visit the village. They come to see the monument dedicated to Che Guevara. They also visit the old schoolhouse, which is now a memorial.
La Higuera is a key stop on the "Ruta del Che" (Che Guevara Trail). This special trail was opened in 2004. It guides visitors through places important to Che Guevara's last days. Some visitors even pray to "Santo Ernesto" (Saint Ernesto), believing he can bring miracles.
