TARIJA

city, southern Bolivia, situated at 6,122 feet (1,866 m) above sea level in the Ro Grande de Tarija (Guadalquivir) Valley. Founded in 1574 by the conquistador Luis de Fuentes as San Bernardo de la Frontera de Tarija, it is one of Bolivia's oldest settlements. The inhabitants are well known for their outdoor religious processions. Although the city is accessible by air and road, transport of the products of the rich surrounding agricultural region (which include corn , vegetables, wheat, potatoes, grapes, and other crops) is difficult, and production is only for local consumption. The city is the seat of the Juan Misael Saracho Bolivian University (founded in 1946). Pop. (1989 est.) 66,900.