Potosí: The Silver City That Changed The World

Potosí, the historic silver city in Bolivia, stands as a testament to the profound global impact of its silver mining during colonial times. The study highlights how Potosí's vast silver deposits, exploited extensively from the 16th century onward, became the backbone of the Spanish Empire's economy and reshaped global trade dynamics. The research underscores the city's role in facilitating the transatlantic slave trade, as African labor was brought to sustain the grueling mining operations. Additionally, it explores Potosí's architectural and urban development, which reflects the convergence of European, Indigenous, and African influences, creating a unique cultural and historical landscape. The study employs archival research and historical analysis to trace the city's economic significance, its societal transformations, and its enduring legacy as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Francaviglia, R. (2020). Potosí: The Silver City That Changed The World. Terrae Incognitae, 52(3), 318–319. https://doi.org/10.1080/00822884.2020.1847911