Chiquitos

Chuiquitos is a region of rain savannas in the eastern Bolivia. The name Chiquitos means little in Spanish. It was chosen by the Spanish Conquistadores, when they found the small doors of the Indian huts in the region. Around 20 ethnic groups live in the Chuiquitos region. A a notable feature are the 18th century Jesuit and Franciscan settlements scattered throughout the region. They were utopian villages based on the teaching of cathecism and religious related activities such as baroque music, handicrafts, and agriculture. Six churches still remain in the zone and were selected in 1991 as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.