Chiquitos Province

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitosa
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party Flag of Bolivia Bolivia
Type Cultural
Criteria iv, v
Identification #529
Regionb Latin America and the Caribbean

Inscription History

Formal Inscription: 1990
14th Session

a Name as officially inscribed on the WH List
b As classified officially by UNESCO

Chiquitos is a region of rain savannas in the eastern Bolivia. The name Chiquitos means "little ones" in Spanish. It was chosen by the Spanish Conquistadores, when they found the small doors of the Indian huts in the region. Around 20 ethnic groups live in the Chiquitos region. A notable feature are the 18th century Jesuit and Franciscan settlements scattered throughout the region. They were utopian villages based on the teaching of the catechism and religious related activities such as baroque music, handicrafts, and agriculture. Six churches still remain in the zone and were selected in 1990 as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.