Still important for its mining industry today (yielding 60,000 tons of silver a year), Potosi is known for its dangerous past where it is thought 8 million slaves have died.
 
"Potosi the highest city in the world at 13,000' was founded in 1545 after a mountain of almost solid silver and tin ore was discovered nearby. It was from here that most of the silver from the new world once came. Now the mines are all but worked out and the city, once very important, with many beautiful churches and public buildings was looking very neglected. I stayed 3 days finding pleanty to paint and sketch; although at the high altitude, it was hard work walking up the steep narrow streets, and I could feel the temperature dropping as the sun went down behind the mountain, from about 75° to below freezing within an hour." - MH