In Santa Cruz, the capital of the easternmost region of Bolivia (the one that borders with Paraguay and Brazil for instance), Sunday held a referendum whose goal was to demand greater autonomy for the region by the central government. In this case, instances autonomistiche are amplified by the contrast between the central government of progressive trends, supported mainly by populations investigation, and the local government in the region, where a conservative majority prevails, supported by cruceños or the descendants of Spanish colonists.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Holy Cross Mountain, has about half a million inhabitants, up to 60 years was little more than a village, with many roads are not paved where it was not difficult to see go carts drawn by oxen that dirigevano towards fields . The agricultural vocation remained, but in most modern forms, similar to those of more developed western city. Alongside these activities, is also developing the tourism sector, thanks to the tropical climate and proximity to beautiful nature, still intact, as the Noel Kempff National Park where, in addition to the spectacular waterfalls of the river Pauserna, to be kept one of the most tropical forests extended and less beaten South America.
The tour starts from the helmet viejo, the ring inner city (a sort of Old Town), where the Plaza 24 de Septiembre, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo over the house of culture Raul Otero Reich, where among other Things can admire objects of local handicrafts. Outside the case viejo can visit the museum Arqueologico where they are preserved specimens of indigenous culture as the chiriguanos and chiquitanos. To relax, not get to park Noel Kempff, you can make walks to the Parque Arenal, the most famous of Santa Cruz, or along the Rio Pirai, perhaps stopping in one of its cabañas to taste the local dishes outdoors .
The news on the referendum held Sunday on La Repubblica, Peacereporter and Euronews.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra the excellent site Bolivia.it.
The photo is of Dr. Nex who posted on flickr a beautiful set of photographs of the park.