South America - Part 3

The city of Potosí is our next stop, home of the famous Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain). It is estimated that half of the silver currently in circulation across the world originated from Cerro Rico. Most of this is dug out of the mountain in the 16th and 17th centuries when it fuelled the Spanish government wars and expansion. In the early 17th century Potosi had a population of almost 200,000, making it one of the largest cities in the world at that time. Tens of thousands were working in horrendous conditions in the mines every day, and hundreds of thousands died in the mines over the centuries. The truely valuable seams had been exhausted by the 18th century, but mining has continued to this day - and the conditions are still very harsh. The global impact of the wealth that was extracted from Cerro Rico is difficult to grasp. Fun fact (among many) - the symbol for Potosi silver was a P, S and I over lapped - which morphed into the current $ sign. We did a tough tour of the mine (hands and knee stuff at 4,200m above sea level), visited the mint and enjoyed the streets and buildings of the once wealthy city.Read more