# Punata

> city

**Wikidata**: [Q1026219](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1026219)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punata)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/punata

## Summary

Punata is a city located in Bolivia, specifically within the Punata Municipality, and serves as the capital of the Punata Province. Founded on February 15, 1781, it sits at an elevation of 2,730 meters above sea level in the America/Cochabamba timezone. The city had a population of 14,742 as of 2001 and is characterized by its use of both Spanish and Southern Quechua languages.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** Punata
- **Country:** Bolivia
- **Classification:** City (large human settlement)
- **Founded:** February 15, 1781
- **Population:** 14,742 (recorded in 2001)
- **Elevation:** 2,730 meters above sea level
- **Coordinates:** Latitude -17.546944444444, Longitude -65.836666666667
- **Timezone:** America/Cochabamba
- **Capital Of:** Punata Province
- **Located In:** Punata Municipality
- **Demonym:** Punateña
- **Languages Used:** Spanish, Southern Quechua
- **Postal Code:** 03-1401-0100-1001
- **Wikipedia Languages:** Available in 21 language editions including Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, and others
- **Wikidata Description:** City

## FAQs

**What is the geographical location of Punata?**
Punata is situated in Bolivia within the Punata Municipality at coordinates -17.546944444444 latitude and -65.836666666667 longitude. It sits at an elevation of 2,730 meters above sea level and operates in the America/Cochabamba timezone.

**What is the population and demographic information for Punata?**
The city recorded a population of 14,742 in 2001. Residents of Punata are referred to as Punateña, and the city uses both Spanish and Southern Quechua as its languages.

**What is Punata's administrative and political status?**
Punata serves as the capital of Punata Province and is located within the Punata Municipality. It is administratively distinct from the Punata Municipality itself. The city was officially founded on February 15, 1781.

**Where can I find official documentation and references for Punata?**
Punata is cataloged in multiple international databases and library systems, including VIAF (ID: 126839077), Library of Congress Authority ID (n97045818), National Library of Israel J9U ID (987007542612905171), GeoNames ID (3907080), and OpenStreetMap (Node ID: 794381207).

## Why It Matters

Punata holds significance as the administrative capital of Punata Province in Bolivia, making it a center of regional governance and civic activity. Its founding in 1781 places it among the historically established cities in the region, with over two centuries of documented existence. The city's bilingual character—using both Spanish and Southern Quechua—reflects the cultural diversity and indigenous heritage of the Cochabamba region. As a provincial capital, Punata serves as a hub for surrounding communities, providing essential administrative, economic, and social services. Its elevation at 2,730 meters positions it within the high-altitude Andean region, influencing its climate, agriculture, and way of life. The city's presence in 21 different Wikipedia language editions indicates its international recognition and the global availability of information about this Bolivian provincial center.

## Notable For

- **Provincial Capital Status:** Serves as the administrative center of Punata Province
- **High-Altitude Location:** Positioned at 2,730 meters above sea level in the Andean region
- **Historical Foundation:** Established in 1781, representing over 240 years of documented history
- **Bilingual Heritage:** Recognized for using both Spanish and Southern Quechua languages
- **International Documentation:** Cataloged in major global library and geographic systems including VIAF, Library of Congress, GeoNames, and OpenStreetMap
- **Multi-Language Wikipedia Presence:** Documented in 21 different language editions of Wikipedia
- **Distinct Administrative Identity:** Officially differentiated from Punata Municipality as a separate entity

## Body

### Geography and Location

Punata is positioned at precise coordinates of -17.546944444444 latitude and -65.836666666667 longitude in central Bolivia. The city's elevation of 2,730 meters above sea level places it firmly within the high-altitude Andean geographical zone. It operates within the America/Cochabamba timezone, aligning it with the broader Cochabamba Department region. The city's location within the Punata Municipality provides it with local administrative context, while its role as capital of Punata Province extends its influence over a larger regional area.

### Historical Background

The city of Punata was officially founded on February 15, 1781, establishing it as a long-standing settlement in Bolivian history. This founding date places its establishment during the Spanish colonial period, before Bolivia's independence. The city has maintained its significance over more than two centuries, evolving from its colonial origins to its current status as a provincial capital.

### Demographics and Language

According to census data from 2001, Punata had a population of 14,742 inhabitants. The city's residents are known by the demonym "Punateña," providing a distinct civic identity. Linguistically, Punata is characterized by its bilingual environment, with both Spanish and Southern Quechua recognized as languages used within the city. This dual-language character reflects the indigenous Quechua cultural influence that persists alongside Spanish colonial heritage in the region.

### Administrative Structure

Punata holds the official designation as the capital of Punata Province, making it the primary administrative center for provincial government functions. It is located within the Punata Municipality but maintains a distinct identity separate from the municipality itself. This distinction is formally recognized in administrative records, ensuring clear delineation between the city as an entity and the broader municipal jurisdiction. The city's postal code is 03-1401-0100-1001, which follows Bolivia's postal coding system.

### Cultural and Civic Symbols

The city is represented by several official symbols and landmarks. The Plaza 18 de Mayo serves as a central civic space, with an image documenting this location available through Wikimedia Commons. Punata has both an official flag and coat of arms, each with dedicated image files in the Wikimedia Commons repository (Bandera_de_Punata.JPG and Punata.jpg respectively). These symbols represent the city's official identity and civic pride. The commons category for Punata provides additional visual documentation of the city.

### International Recognition and Documentation

Punata is extensively cataloged in international reference systems and databases:

- **VIAF ID:** 126839077 (Virtual International Authority File)
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n97045818 (referenced as of March 6, 2019)
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID:** 987007542612905171
- **GeoNames ID:** 3907080
- **Freebase ID:** /m/08nbfv (published October 28, 2013)
- **GNS Unique Feature ID:** -698505 (Geographic Names Server)
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID:** 794381207
- **Who's On First ID:** 421204575
- **SNARC ID:** (6427) 1995 FY
- **Yale LUX ID:** place/26a681ac-2df3-49e5-8fb2-71b1a595b91d
- **Facebook Location ID:** 112370432108639

### Digital Presence and Global Accessibility

Punata maintains a significant digital footprint with sitelink presence across 21 different language editions of Wikipedia. These include Arabic (ar), Egyptian Arabic (arz), Cebuano (ceb), Wikimedia Commons (commons), Danish (da), German (de), English (en), Esperanto (eo), Spanish (es), Persian (fa), French (fr), Interlingua (ia), Georgian (ka), Dutch (nl), Norwegian (no), Polish (pl), Portuguese (pt), Quechua (qu), Swedish (sv), Waray (war), and Chinese (zh). This multilingual presence ensures that information about Punata is accessible to a global audience across diverse linguistic communities. The city's Wikipedia title is simply "Punata," and its Wikidata description classifies it as a city.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File