City (pop., 2001: 516,683), central Bolivia.
Founded as Villa de Oropeza in 1574, it received city status in 1786 and was renamed Cochabamba (Khocha Pampa), a name in the Quecha language that means "plain full of small lakes." A favourable climate and attractive setting have helped make it Bolivia's third largest city. It is the chief distribution point for eastern Bolivia. It is the site of the Major University of San Simón (1826), a cathedral, and a government palace.