Turco Municipality facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Turco Municipality Turku
Municipality
Darwin's rhea (Rhea pennata garleppi) photographed at the Tika Uta ranch, Turco Municipality
Turco Municipality Location in Bolivia
Country	Bolivia
Department	Oruro Department
Province	Sajama Province
Cantons	4
Created	February 15, 1957
Seat	Turco
Area
• Total	1,534 sq mi (3,973 km2)
Elevation	12,660 ft (3,860 m)
Population  (2001)
• Total	4,160
• Ethnicities	Aymara

Main square of Turco

Turco Municipality is a special area in Bolivia. It's like a local government district. It was created on February 15, 1957. The main town, or "seat," is called Turco. This town is about 154 kilometers (96 miles) west of Oruro. It sits very high up, at 3,860 meters (about 12,664 feet) above sea level! The whole municipality covers a large area of 3,973 square kilometers (1,534 square miles).

Turco Municipality shares its borders with several other areas. To the north, it has the Curahuara de Carangas Municipality and San Pedro de Totora Province. To the south, you'll find the Litoral and Sabaya Provinces. To the west, it borders Chile, and to the east, it's next to the Carangas Province.

Exploring Turco's Geography

This region has many important rivers. Some of the main ones are Sajama, Cosapa, Lauca, K'uwiri, and Qullpa Jawira. The Qullpa Jawira river is also known as the Turco River.

Mountains and Volcanoes

In the west of the municipality, you'll find parts of the Bolivian Western Mountain Range. This range includes volcanoes and mountains like Uqi Uqini. There's also the volcanic group called Kimsa Chata. This group has three mountains: Umurata, Acotango, and Capurata. These mountains form a natural border between Turco Municipality and Chile.

Here are some other mountains in the area:

How Turco Municipality is Divided

The municipality is split into four main areas called cantons. It also has nine smaller community groups known as ayllus.

Here's a look at the cantons and their populations from 2001:

Plants and Animals of Turco

Polylepis tarapacana near Sajama volcano

Tunilla soehrensii

Part of the Cosapa Canton is inside the Sajama National Park. This park was created to protect special plants and animals. It helps save rare trees like the queñua species Polylepis tarapacana. It also protects animals like the Andean hairy armadillo and Darwin's rhea. Other animals found here include the vicuña, taruca, Andean mountain cat, and cougar (also called puma). All these animals live in the Turco Municipality.

Important Plants and Their Uses

The region has many different native plants. These plants are useful for both the people and the animals living there.

Here are some of the most important plant species:

The People of Turco

Most people in Turco Municipality are from the Aymara group, known as Carangas. Many of them speak two languages. According to a 2001 census, the main languages spoken are Spanish (by 3,544 people) and Aymara (by 3,259 people).

Getting Around: Transport

Route 4 (Ruta 4) near Tambo Quemado with Sajama volcano in the background

A major road that connects Oruro to Chile passes through Turco Municipality. This road leads to Tambo Quemado. Tambo Quemado is located in the Chachacomani Canton, in the northwestern part of the municipality. It's right on the border between Chile and Bolivia.

Turco's Climate

The weather in Turco varies throughout the year. It can get quite cold, especially at night, due to its high elevation.

See also

In Spanish: Turco (Bolivia) para niños