La Rinconada: The World’s Highest Inhabited City in Peru

La Rinconada, Peru, is the highest inhabited city in the world, located at 5,000-5,300 meters above sea level in the Puno region. It has approximately 12,600 residents primarily engaged in gold mining. The city experiences extreme altitude-related health issues and poor living conditions. Other notable high-altitude cities include Cerro de Pasco and Junin.

Peru is renowned for its geographical distinctions, home to the Amazon River, Lake Titicaca, and La Rinconada, the world’s highest inhabited city. Located within the Andes’ Altiplano region, La Rinconada sits at altitudes between 5,000 and 5,300 meters above sea level, specifically in the Ananea district, within the Puno region. With a population approximating 12,600, the city’s main economic activity is artisanal gold mining from the Ananea Grande region.

La Rinconada’s challenging terrain, characterized by steep slopes, presents transportation difficulties. The climate is categorized as alpine, with an average annual temperature of 1.3°C and precipitation of 707 millimeters, leading to cold conditions and significant snowfall during summers. This level of altitude affects oxygen levels, complicating acclimatization and leading to health concerns such as Monge’s disease, exacerbated by poor sanitary conditions and pollution.

In addition to La Rinconada, other high-altitude cities in Peru include Cerro de Pasco, located at 4,380 meters, with about 66,860 inhabitants, and Junin at 4,105 meters, home to around 10,000 residents. Other notable high-altitude communities comprise Yauri (3,976 m), Yanaoca (3,913 m), Ayaviri (3,907 m), Lampa (3,878 m), Ilave (3,862 m), Azangaro (3,859 m), Juli (3,850 m), Yunguyo (3,847 m), Juliaca (3,824 m), and the capital city of Puno at 3,810 m.

In summary, La Rinconada stands as the highest inhabited city in the world, evidencing unique challenges related to elevation and climate. The city’s foremost economic activity centers around gold mining, reflecting vulnerability to market fluctuations. Other significant Peruvian cities situated at high altitudes contribute to the country’s rich geographical tapestry, although they face similar issues concerning health and living conditions due to altitude.

Original Source: andina.pe