Quillacollo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Quillacollo
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City & Municipality
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 Quillacollo
Location in Bolivia
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| Country |  Bolivia |
| Department | Cochabamba Department |
| Province | Quillacollo Province |
| Municipality | Quillacollo Municipality |
| Canton | Quillacollo Canton |
| Foundation | September 14, 1593 by Joan Zeñudo, José de Uribe, Cristóbal de Arévalo, Francisco de la Moya & Juan de Soliz |
| Incorporated (municipality) | 14 September 1905 |
| Area | |
| • City & Municipality | 566 km2 (219 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2,425 m (7,956 ft) |
| Population
(2012 Census)
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| • Urban | 117,859 |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (BOT) |
Quillacollo is a lively city in Bolivia. It is the capital of Quillacollo Province in the Cochabamba Department. The city was officially started as a municipality on September 14, 1905. This happened during the time when Ismail Montes was president.
Population and Growth
Quillacollo is located about 13 kilometers (8 miles) west of Cochabamba City. In 2001, the city had a population of 74,980 people. By 2010, the population grew very quickly to about 142,724 people. This makes Quillacollo one of the fastest-growing cities in Bolivia. Only El Alto in La Paz is growing faster.
Quillacollo is part of the larger Cochabamba urban area. It is connected to Cochabamba City by a busy road called Avenida Blanco Galindo. Quillacollo is known as a market town. It has a lot of farms nearby. It also has some important industries and a local court.
Festivals and Traditions
One of the biggest events in Quillacollo is the Virgen de Urqupiña festival. It happens every year on August 15. This festival is called the "Festival of National Integration." It includes many different activities:
- A large show of traditional dances and music.
- A main Mass, often attended by the Bolivian president.
- A huge pilgrimage where people show their Catholic faith.
During the festival, people pray to the Virgin of Urqupiña. They ask for money, good health, and luck. People also honor pachamama (mother earth) by offering alcohol and food. They bury or spill it on the ground.
A special tradition during this festival is taking rocks from a hill near the Virgin's church. People take a rock home and must bring it back the next year. This is a way to ask the Virgin to "lend" them something, like health or money.
Hundreds of thousands of people, including tourists, come to the Urqupiña festival every year. It is one of the largest religious events in South America. The main days are August 14 to 16, but celebrations last throughout August. This festival has also spread to other parts of the world, like Argentina and Spain.
Life in the City
The buildings in Quillacollo mix old and new styles. You can see modern houses and buildings next to older ones.
The city has many different kinds of food. There are lots of restaurants to try. Quillacollo is also a good place to find electronic items at lower prices than in Cochabamba.
Tourism is a big part of Quillacollo's economy. The city has many hotels and hostels for visitors. There are also many flea markets and street vendors, especially during festivals. Sunday is a very busy market day in Quillacollo.
Images for kids
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A general view of Quillacollo city.
See also
In Spanish: Quillacollo para niños
