Tarija

Tarija (tärē'hä), city (1992 pop. 90,113), alt. 6,421 ft (1,957 m), capital of Tarija dept., S Bolivia. It was founded in 1574. Tarija lies in a fertile valley in the eastern watershed of the Andes near the oil fields of the Chaco. Lack of communications has retarded commercial growth, but the rich soil and moderate climate have made Tarija famous for vineyards and orchards that grow olives, pears, peaches, and apples. It has a university.