Santa Cruz Department

Santa Cruz
Departamento de Santa Cruz (Spanish)
View of the Guapay River
Motto: 
Siempre libres cruceños seamos. (Free Cruceños may we always be)
Anthem: Himno a Santa Cruz
Location within Bolivia
Country Bolivia
CapitalSanta Cruz de la Sierra
Provinces15
Established as department by law23 July 1826
Government
 • GovernorLuis Fernando Camacho (Creemos)
 • Lieutenant governorMario Aguilera (Creemos)
 • SenatorsCenta Rek (Creemos)
Henry Montero (Creemos)
Isidoro Quispe (MAS)
Soledad Flores (MAS)
Area
 • Total
370,621 km2 (143,098 sq mi)
 • Rank1st in Bolivia
 33.74% of Bolivia
Population
 (2024 census)
 • Total
3,122,605
 • Rank1st in Bolivia
 • Density8.42533/km2 (21.8215/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-4 (BOT)
Area code+(591) 3
Official languageSpanish, Guaraní
ISO 3166-2BO-S
GDP (2023)in constant Dollar of 2015
 - TotalUS$ 15.5 billion
Int$ 36.3 billion (PPP)
 - Per capitaUS$ 4,200
Int$ 9,900 (PPP)
HDI (2019)0.777
high · 1st of 9
Websitewww.santacruz.gob.bo
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Santa Cruz (Spanish pronunciation: [ˌsanta ˈkɾus]) is the largest of the nine constituent departments of Bolivia, occupying about one-third (33.74%) of the country's territory. With an area of 370,621 km2 (143,098 sq mi), it is slightly smaller than Japan or the US state of Montana. It is located in the eastern part of the country, sharing borders in the north and east with Brazil and with Paraguay in the south.

In the 2024 census, it had an estimated population of 3.1 million, making it the most populated department. Its capital city is Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The department is one of the wealthiest departments in Bolivia, with huge reserves of natural gas. Besides, it has experienced the highest increase of economic growth during the last 50 years in Bolivia and South America.