Man, like microorganisms, has learned to adapt and survive in the most extreme places, from the sizzling Sahara Desert to the frozen Siberian tundra. People have lived for thousands of years even in inhospitable highlands with thin air. A total of 140 million people live in the Himalayas, Andes and mountains of Ethiopia at altitudes ranging from 2,500 to 8,200 meters above sea level, many of them in rapidly growing cities. Below we will talk about seven high-mountain settlements, each of which lies at an altitude of more than 3 thousand meters above sea level. La Rinconada
The Peruvian city of La Rinconada, located in one of the remote corners of the Andes, was once a gold mining camp, but gradually grew to the size of a large city. This mountain locality with a population of more than 50 thousand people, located at an altitude of 5100 m, lays claim to the title of “the highest mountain city in the world.” Despite the fact that the economic life of the city is centered around the gold mine, the infrastructure of the settlement is in poor condition. The city has no running water or sewer system, and backward mining methods have led to serious mercury contamination in the area. Most of La Rinconada's residents are workers who migrated here in hopes of a stable income and a share in the lucrative gold business. Their work is paid according to a cunning system called “cachorreo”. For thirty days they work in the mine for free, and on the 31st day they are allowed to take from the mine as much ore as they can carry. Their wages are all they can independently extract from this ore. Despite the fact that local gold mining companies pay the miners in this strange way, people continue to flock here from all over the region. The population of La Rinconada has increased by 230% in the last ten years. 
El Alto
The city of El Alto is one of the largest and fastest growing in Bolivia. It has a population of more than 1.1 million people, is located at an altitude of 4150 m above sea level and is one of the highest mountainous settlements in the world. El Alto was once just a suburb of the city of La Paz, located on the Altiplano plateau, but in the 1950s, intensive migration from rural areas of Bolivia to the La Paz region led to the fact that within 40 years its suburb acquired the status of an independent city. The area where El Alto is located has a harsh and arid climate and was not inhabited until 1903, when railway lines were built connecting it to Lake Titicaca and the city of Arica. At the edge of the canyon in La Paz was built Train Station, depot and residential buildings for workers railway, in 1925 an airfield appeared, around which neighborhoods also gradually grew. In 1939, El Alto opened its first elementary school, and in the 1950s, rapid growth began due to the connection of El Alto to the La Paz water network (up to this point, all water in El Alto was brought from La Paz in tanks ). In 1985, the El Alto district gained administrative independence from the city of La Paz, and in 1987 it was given city status. 
Potosi
Another candidate from Bolivia, Potosi, is located at an altitude of 4090 m above sea level. It was founded in 1545 as a mining settlement. Soon the population of Potosi exceeded 240 thousand people, and it itself became a source of fabulous wealth and the largest city of its time in America and throughout the world. Potosi is located at the foot of the 4,824 m high Cerro Rico de Potosi mountain, which, according to local residents, consists almost entirely of silver ore. The mines of Cerro Rico brought world fame to the city, becoming the main source of silver for the Spanish kingdom during the Conquista. It was from Potosí that the Spanish conquerors removed most of the silver. From 1556 to 1783, 45 thousand tons of pure silver were mined in the mines of Cerro Rico, of which 9 thousand tons were received by the Spanish Monarchy. Due to such intensive mining, the height of the mountain decreased by several hundred meters. In 1672, a mint was established in Potosí to mint silver coins and reservoirs were built to supply the population with water. During the same period, 86 churches were built in the city, and the population of Potosi increased to 200 thousand people, turning it into one of the largest and richest cities in the world. After 1800, as silver supplies began to dry up and the world turned to tin mining, the city's slow economic decline began. However, silver is still mined in the mines of Cerro Rico today. Due to harsh working conditions, lack of protective equipment and constant inhalation of dust, the life expectancy of miners is very short - almost all of them suffer from silicosis and die at the age of about 40 years. 
Shigatse
Shigatse is the second largest city in the Tibet Autonomous Region, part of the People's Republic of China. Its population is 100 thousand people and it is one of the largest populated areas in Tibet. Shigatse is located in western Tibet at an altitude of 3840 m above sea level at the confluence of the Yarlung Tsangpo (aka Brahmaputra) and Nianchu rivers. The city, which lies on a plateau surrounded by high peaks, was ancient capital Tsang Province, and is currently administrative center Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region of China. 
Hulyaka
Juliaca is the capital of the province of San Roman, located in the Puno region in southeastern Peru. This The largest city region with a population of more than 225 thousand people (as of 2007), located at an altitude of 3825 m above sea level on the Altiplano plateau and being largest center trade and commerce and transport hub of the Puno region. In addition, the city of Juliaca is closely connected with southern cities Peru, such as Arequipa, Puno, Tacna, Cusco, Ilo and the Bolivian Republic. 
Oruro
In the beginning, the city of Oruro, founded on November 1, 1606, was the center of silver mining in the Bolivian Urus region. Today Oruro is one of largest cities Bolivia with a population of more than 235 thousand people (according to the 2010 census). It is located at an altitude of 3706 m above sea level. At the end of the 19th century, after silver deposits were depleted, Oruro's mining operations switched to tin mining. For a time, the La Salvadora mine in Oruro was the world's largest source of tin. Gradually, this resource also began to dry up, and Oruro again entered a time of decline. However, the city's main employer is still the mining industry. 
Lhasa
Located in the center of the Tibetan plateau in a small valley surrounded by five-thousand-meter Himalayan mountains, Lhasa lies at an altitude of 3600 m above sea level. The Kyi-chu River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through the southern part of the city. The length of Kyi-chu, whose name is translated from Tibetan as “cheerful blue waves,” is 315 km; it flows down from the snow-capped peaks and passes of the Nyenchen Tangla ridge and flows into the Brahmaputra in the Chushu region, creating landscapes of unearthly beauty along its way. Lhasa is the second most populous city on the Tibetan plateau: more than 550 thousand people live there. The city is replete with Buddhist sites of great cultural and historical significance, mainly located in the Chengguang area. Among them are the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple and palace complex Norbulingka. 
Thanks for the translation Ksenia Churmateeva
26.03.2009
Have you ever been in the mountains, where when you take a deep breath you feel like there is not enough oxygen? It is amazing that the more we travel, the more we learn how man has managed to adapt to a wide variety of conditions. natural conditions, including towering mountains rising more than two miles above sea level.
In mountain settlements and cities, oxygen is a real value, but people have learned not only to survive, but also to thrive at such great heights. Here are some of these settlements that attract the attention of tourists with their beauty and splendor.
La Rinconada, Peru 5100 meters
Many people complain of dizziness from heights when they come to Denver, Colorado, which is only 5,000 feet above sea level, so what can happen to a person at 17,000 feet? The fact is that the Peruvian town of La Rinconada (named "the highest residential community of 2003" by National Geographic magazine) is located in the Andes at an altitude of about 6,000 feet, which is the limit for the human body.
The population of the mountain city is only 30,000 people, however, people not only survive in the lack of oxygen, but also mine gold. The city was founded on an abandoned mine, where most of the residents work. Many come here only for a short period of time, and, returning to a more familiar and pleasant climate, they never cease to wonder how one can spend their whole life so high in the mountains.
Namche Bazaar, Nepal 5000 meters
The city was originally built as a trading zone where herders raising yak herds high in the mountains could exchange the butter and cheese produced from the milk of these animals for agricultural products grown in the lower regions of Nepal. Today, Namche Bazaar serves as the main transit point for people planning to climb further to the Everest camp. This is the last refuge of civilization before high mountain peace. The city is located at the intersection of many tourist routes, he is still in charge shopping center Khumbu region.
There are hotels in the city that have special rooms that help people adapt to the rarefied mountain air.
El Alto, Bolivia 4150 meters
Although La Paz is hailed as the highest capital in the world, one of its suburban areas is much higher than La Paz itself. Named from the Spanish El Alto - "the height" - this town of 650,000 people was founded during the construction of the railway connecting La Paz and Lake Titicaca. Besides what it represents highest point Bolivia, here is the famous La Paz airport.
Potosi, Bolivia 4090 meters
Although the El Alto suburb of La Paz is actually 200 feet above Potosi, Potosi is often called the city with the highest altitude in the world. Like Leadville, Potosi was once a developed city, supported by silver mines, the city was considered one of the most big cities American continents.
The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its involvement in the Silver Rush played an important role in the center's identification. Potosi appears in Cervantes' novel Don Quixote as a synonym for incredible wealth. The Sierra Potosi Mountain, which towers above the city center, is sometimes called the Mountain of Wealth in memory of the silver that was once mined from its depths.
Lhasa, Tibet 3650 meters
The capital of Tibet, Lhasa, population 250,000, is located high in the Himalayas, in the center of the Tibetan plateau, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the home of the Dalai Lama, the city of Lhasa has served as a haven for many wanderers and travelers who braved the lack of air to climb here to admire the charming Buddhist temples and enjoy the view of the majestic mountains. If you think you can make it to the top, you'll find the Potala Palace, stunning with its painted frescoes and home to Buddhist monks. The Dalai Lama lived here before he was forced to flee in 1959.
Apataderos, Venezuela 3505 meters
Apataderos is the highest city in Venezuela (11,000 feet above sea level) and lies at the intersection of three major river valleys in the Andes. Tourism here is quite well developed, because the center of Apartaderos is built up with various restaurants, hotels and shops - all of which began their existence after the construction of the Trans-Andean Highway, which serves as a road to the once inaccessible mountain. Agriculture and raising livestock remain the main occupations of the majority of the population, which has continued its lineage for several centuries.
Cusco, Peru, 3310 meters
This magnificent city located in the Peruvian Andes, next to the Sacred Valley. Cusco was once the capital of the Incan civilization; today the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Tourists traveling to Lost City Incas to Machu Picchu will most likely not miss Cusco, since the city is located very close to the ruins. The city is home to about 350,000 people, where ancient ruins and Spanish-style houses built during the colonial period coexist in the shadow of the mountain range.
Villa Milis, Costa Rica 3100 meters
Although most people think of Costa Rica, they think of beaches and monsoon forests, but the country is also famous for its highlands and volcanoes. The name Villa Milis is a small village located next to the Sierra de le Muerte (Mountain of the Dead) near the Panamanian border. Surprisingly, despite its proximity to the equator, temperatures here can drop significantly below zero.
Villa Milis is located on the Talamanca mountain range, which was once a volcanic island that rose to such a height due to the shift of lithospheric plates. These lands are famous for their unique fauna.
Leadville, Colorado 3094 meters
The once booming mining town, located in the Rocky Mountains on the upper reaches of the Arkansas River, is geographically higher than all other incorporated cities in the United States, thereby occupying a place on the list of high altitude cities and metropolises in the world. The city once flourished due to the silver mines located nearby and was the second largest city in Colorado after Denver.
Although the days of the silver rush are long gone, Leadville is home to about 3,000 people. The city has retained its historical atmosphere, this is especially felt in the center, where it was once located a large number of saloons full of grimy miners. Today, a visit to these saloons will allow visitors to the city to travel back to the Wild West about a hundred years ago.
Hushe village, Pakistan 3050 meters
The village of Khushe is the highest inhabited point of Pakistan, it is located in the Khushe Valley in the shadow of some of the highest and beautiful mountains world (including K2, the second highest mountain in the world). Numerous tourists depart from the village to see this region of the Himalayas.
Quito, Ecuador 2850 meters
Quito ranks second in altitude above sea level among the world's capitals (after La Paz). The city is located on the eastern slopes active volcano Pichincha, part of the Andes mountain range. Despite the fact that Quito is located just below other small villages and towns located in the Andes and Himalayas, the capital of Ecuador is unique in that its population approaches 2 million people.
The inhabitants of this city are taller than everyone else and look down on everything. And all because they live in a settlement that is located in the mountains and is the highest in the world. TravelAsk will tell you about it today.
Peruvian record holder
The highest mountain city on the planet is called La Rinconada, it is located in. The city is located in the Andes at an altitude of 5100 meters above sea level, very close to the border with Bolivia.
Just imagine, there are climbers who dream of conquering Elbrus (its height is 5,642 meters). This requires special equipment and clothing. And in La Rinconada people live for years at almost the same altitude. In ordinary houses. With ordinary bedrooms. They eat regular food.
Doctors say that this height is the limit for the human body. And the living conditions themselves here are far from fabulous: during the day the temperature rises just above zero, at night it’s frosty, add to this the lack of oxygen that is typical for such places.
Despite this, the city is growing steadily: in the 21st century, its population increased by 235%! So what makes people live at such extremes?
Golden fever
It's all about the depths of this earth. This area is rich in gold ore, and one of the largest mines is located here. So people are in no hurry to leave their homes in search of better conditions life. Residents work in difficult conditions.
The following wages are applicable at the mine: you need to work for free for a whole month, and on the last day of the month you take as much ore as you can carry on your own.
How do the people of the highest city live?
There is only one narrow mountain road leading to La Rinconada. The ecology here is unfavorable: garbage from here, apparently, has not been removed for years.
The city also has a poorly developed sewerage and wastewater system. There is also a high mercury content in this area.
But, of course, the city itself is beautiful.
And how can a city located in the mountains be ugly? Even our Russian language is fascinating, despite its terrible state.
The slopes here are very steep and difficult to access.
Who's in second and third place?
Another of the highest mountainous settlements is the settlement of Wenquan, which is located in China in the Qinghai province. The altitude of this village is 4,870 meters above sea level.
In third place is the town of Colquechaca in the region (). It is located at an altitude of 4,692 meters. Just over 1,700 people live here.
The highest city in the world May 15th, 2017
The maximum altitude I was at was probably about 2200 meters. They say that at high altitude it is still difficult for the human body. Up to an altitude of 3500 - 4000 meters, the body itself compensates for the lack of oxygen entering the lungs by increasing breathing speed and increasing the volume of inhaled air. Further climb, to fully compensate for the negative impact, requires the use of medicines and oxygen equipment.
But it turns out that high in the Peruvian Andes there is an old gold mining camp, which over the years has grown to the status of a city. More than 30,000 people live here at an altitude of 5,000 kilometers, and the settlement itself is the highest city in the world.
Photo 2. 
La Rinconada (altitude 5100 meters) is perched so high that the weather conditions here resemble West Coast Greenland, despite being located only 14 degrees from the equator. Summers in the city are humid, and winters are dry, with piercing frosts around the clock. The average annual temperature in La Rinconada is only 1.2 °C.
Photo 3. 
In reality, La Rinconada resembles a mining settlement more than a city. There are no roads, no plumbing and no sewage system. The buildings are made of ordinary tin sheets without any insulation. All the men work in the mines, while the women sell goods, engage in prostitution, or search for gold in the rocks. Miners extract gold using mercury, a second substance that is mined in abundance here. The land, air, water, and snow in La Rinconada are heavily contaminated with toxic waste. Thus, it is not only the highest, but also one of the darkest cities in the world.
Photo 4. 
Unlike other mining towns, La Rinconada is not owned by any mining company. Almost all the mines operating here are unofficial, or in other words, illegal. There is no administration and no laws. Nothing is ever invested in the city, the economy is unregulated, and most of the gold mined goes straight to the black market.
Photo 5. 
Mining company Corporacion Ananea does not pay wages to its workers. Instead, they work under the archaic "cachorreo" labor system. According to the rules, men work for thirty days without pay, and on the thirty-first day they are allowed to take as much ore as their weary shoulders can carry.
Photo 6. 
The reserves of gold in local rocks have long been exhausted, but thousands of people are still trying to catch their luck by the tail and working in hellish conditions because of one single day. This gold is then sold to the black market at a meager price. Despite this unconventional payment system, miners continue to flock to the region. Since 2001, the population of La Rinconada has more than doubled.
Photo 7. 
Photo 8. 
Photo 9. 
Photo 10. 
Photo 11. 
Photo 12. 
Photo 13. 
Photo 14. 
Photo 15. 
sources
Altitude (the so-called absolute height) is the height of a point on the Earth’s surface above sea level. This characteristic helps to accurately determine the position of the object relative to the general geodetic mark. The highest altitude capitals of the world are located on different continents, in areas of different terrain, but the magnitude of the altitude of the city center allows us to objectively rank them.
Quito (Ecuador) - 2850 m above sea level
The primacy of the Ecuadorian capital is sometimes challenged by the actual (but not constitutional) capital of Bolivia, La Paz, a city located on absolute altitude 3640 m. Formally, San Francisco de Quito is the highest official capital in the world.
The center of the Ecuadorian capital is not only the most mountainous, but also one of the most valuable in an architectural and historical sense. Together with Polish Krakow, it was first declared a site in 1978 cultural heritage of global significance. The UNESCO Commission assessed the good preservation of the buildings, which have undergone minor changes since the founding of the city in 1556.
Today, Quito is home to 2.67 million people on an area of 372 km2 - it is the second largest city in the country, the real political, cultural and economic center of Ecuador. It plays a serious role in the life of the entire continent - the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations is located in the vicinity of Quito.
Sucre (Bolivia) - 2810 m
Official (constitutional) main city Bolivia is also rightfully included in the highest capitals of the world. Although only the Supreme Court remains of the main government bodies in Sucre, it is one of the most important cities in the country. The sixth largest city in terms of population (about 300 thousand), it is the center of the Chuquisaca department.
Founded in 1538 as Ciudad de la Plata de la Nueva Toledo (City of Silver New Toledo), Sucre has a turbulent historical past and has changed its name several times. It received its current name in 1839 in honor of the Bolivian revolutionary leader Antonio José de Sucre, who became the country's first president.
Like all highland towns, Sucre is located in a very picturesque place. Together with well-preserved architectural monuments, this makes it especially attractive to tourists from all over the world.
Thimphu (Bhutan) - 2648 m
The capital, located between India and China, is located significantly higher than Kathmandu (Nepal) - the capital of another state, lost among highest mountains planets - the Himalayas. Half of the entire territory of the country (384,000 km 2) is located above 3000 m, a fifth of it is covered with eternal snow and glaciers.
Thimphu has been the capital of the kingdom since 1952, when the monastery, built in the 13th century, housed the main legislative and executive bodies of Bhutan. Today it houses the residence of the current official head of state, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, and a religious leader called Je Khempo. The capital city of the kingdom has about 100,000 inhabitants.
Bogota (Colombia) - 2625 m
Bogota is truly one of the largest cities included in the highest capitals of the world and one of the continental leaders South America by area and population. In 2015, about 8.5 million people lived here with a constant increase in the number of new arrivals.
The city is located on a plain that is part of the huge Altiplano plateau located among the Cordilleras. This area is considered earthquake-prone. Although Bogota is located almost at zero latitude, on the equator, due to its high altitude there is no heat. A special natural zone has formed in the surrounding area, a type of savanna favorable for agriculture.
The Colombian capital was founded in 1536 by the famous Spanish conquistador Jimenez de Quesada. It was the center of the liberation movement and experienced many internal conflicts. Today Bogota is a powerful economic and cultural center of the country and the entire continent, with high potential. Harmonious development infrastructure is a major challenge facing all the world's major capitals. Until recently, the list of city problems was headed by high crime, but thanks to the decisive actions of the authorities, it has lost its severity.
The city is characterized by a division into several districts, characteristic of all of South America, differing in the socio-economic status of the population. Residents of wealthy neighborhoods pay additional taxes to support those living in slums.
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) - 2355 m
The city, whose name from the Amhara language translates as “new flower,” plays an important role as the capital of the African Union. The population has a growth rate of about 4% per year and is about 3.5 million people.
The Ethiopian capital is located at the foot of Mount Entoto, from an elevation of 2326 m in the area international airport Bole and up to an altitude of more than 3000 m in the northern part. The combination of highlands and equatorial zone makes the climate comfortable compared to the lowland regions of Africa.
Addis Ababa was founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II on the site chosen by his wife Taitu. She was attracted by sources mineral water, beating at the foot of the mountain. Today the city is turning into the resort capital of Africa, where hotels, shopping and entertainment centers high level.
Asmara (Eritrea) - 2325 m
Two highland countries located on a single highland - Ethiopia and Eritrea - have long formed a single federation. When the Ethiopian authorities proposed to make Eritrea one of their provinces in 1961, the struggle for its independence began.
In 1993, a new state appeared on the African continent, and Asmara was added to the list of the highest capitals in the world. The city's population is 650,000 inhabitants.
Eritrea was formed from territories that were Italian colonies in Africa. The current appearance of the country's capital was largely formed in the 30s of the 20th century, when Mussolini wanted to make Asmara a stronghold of the future. Asmara was called “little Rome,” and Italian names and traditions are still preserved in the city.
Sana'a (Yemen) - 2250 m
The city, with a population of about 2 million people, is one of the oldest cities in the world. According to legend, it was founded by Shem. The city has preserved real pearls of Arab architecture with a thousand-year history. In 1986, the city was declared by the UN. Safety historical monuments is under threat due to the location of Sana'a in a place of great strategic importance for the entire region. The city often became the scene of armed conflicts of various scales.
What makes these places attractive for settlement is their rare desert climate. The city's high location makes it more temperate than many places in the Arabian Peninsula. Both excessive cold and oppressive heat are rare here.
Mexico City (Mexico) - 2240 m
The Valley of Mexico, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes reaching heights of 5000 m, is located on a high plateau that is part of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt. On the site of the current agglomeration there was a huge Lake Texcoco. In its central part, on the island, in 1325 the Aztecs founded the city of Tenochtitlan, today's Mexico City.
Built on the site of what was once a lake, the giant metropolis inherited the resulting problems: a lack of drainage for water flowing from the mountains, and loose soil that did not provide a reliable foundation for buildings. Combating water and air pollution, preventing land subsidence, and counteracting seismic activity have always been important areas of activity for Mexico City city authorities.
There is no human settlement in the world of this scale, located at such an altitude. About 8.9 million people live on an area of 1485 km2. If we talk about Greater Mexico City, to which is added the environment associated with Mexico City economically and technologically, then we mean the largest agglomeration in the Western Hemisphere, which has about 21 million inhabitants.
Mexico City is included in the most influential capitals of the world. The list of the richest cities in the world, where it entered at number eight, speaks of its political, economic and cultural significance for the entire civilization.
Cities with high position
Surprisingly, there are capitals located below the level of the world ocean: the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, is 28 m lower than it. And among those that can be classified as high-mountainous are Nairobi (Kenya) - 1795 m, Kabul (Afghanistan) - 1790 m, Windhoek (Namibia) ) - 1721 m, Maseru (Lesotho) - 1673 m, Kigali (Rwanda) - 1567 m, Guatemala (Guatemala) - 1529 m, Harare (Zimbabwe) - 1483 m, Kathmandu (Nepal) - 1400 m.
