Pampagrande facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids
Pampagrande
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 Pampagrande
Location in Bolivia
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| Country | Bolivia | ||
| Elevation | 2,000 m (7,000 ft) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-4 (BOT) | ||
Pampagrande (also called Pampa Grande) is a small community in Bolivia. It is located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. This town sits in the foothills of the Andes mountains, about 2000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level. Pampagrande is built along a river that shares its name.
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Life in Pampagrande Today
Pampagrande is a quiet place. Many of its streets are made of earth, not pavement. Until recently, the town did not have modern services like running water, telephones, or electricity. There are only a few shops and one small eating place in the town.
Farmers in the area grow crops like maize (corn) and watermelons. They can only do this where the land and weather allow. On the edge of town, there is a beautiful stone bridge with a single arch that crosses the Rio Pampagrande.
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Only the streets around the Plaza are paved.
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Pampagrande is not a wealthy part of Bolivia.
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When it rains the streets become a sea of mud.
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Few people here can afford a car or a truck.
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A wedding party arrives at the plaza Pampagrande.
The Surrounding Landscape
The land around Pampagrande is called "Medium Altitude Semi-desert." This means it is quite dry and often looks like a desert.
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The arid landscape is dominated by giant cactus and thorny scrub.
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It is very hard to make a living from the land here.
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Still, for some, there is no other choice. Farmers near Pampagrande.
The dry landscape is covered with giant cactus plants and thorny bushes. It is very challenging for people to grow food and make a living from this land.
Hermano Andres Langer: A Community Helper
A locally famous person in Pampagrande is Hermano (Brother) Andres Langer. He is a Dominican friar who came from East Germany. He has lived in Pampagrande for thirty years.
During his time there, Brother Andres has worked hard to improve the lives of the people in his parish. He helped the town get the bridge, piped water, electricity, and telephone services.
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Hermano Andres, a long-time resident of Pampagrande, talks with one of his parishioners.
Brother Langer is also an expert in local animals. He knows a lot about ornithology (birds), including the rare red-fronted macaw. He is also an expert in herpetology (reptiles). A species of snake, Clelia langeri, is named after him. This snake is found only in the Santa Cruz Department.
Brother Andres often takes time to show visitors around his parish. He also runs the only place to stay in town, a simple bunkhouse next to the church. There is only one simple "eating house" in town, not far from the center. You can travel to Pampagrande from Santa Cruz by shared taxis, known as "trufis," or by coaches. These run several times each day.
See also
In Spanish: Pampagrande para niños
