Peru is home not only to the most voluminous river, the Amazon, and the world's highest lake, Titicaca, but also to the highest inhabited city on the planet.
What is its name? In which region is it located? How many inhabitants does it have? What is its main economic activity? What other high-altitude cities are located in Peru?
The Peruvian Andes, particularly the Altiplano, host the highest cities on the planet, situated more than 3,500 meters above sea level, where more than 10,000 people currently reside.
The Highest City in the World
The highest inhabited settlement in the world is La Rinconada, located at an altitude ranging from 5,000 to 5,300 meters above sea level.
It is part of the Ananea district, in San Antonio de Putina, one of the 13 provinces of Puno region, and belongs to the Janca (from the Aymaran word Janq'u, which means "white") or Cordillera natural region, as it is situated above 4,800 meters above sea level.
The terrain is very rugged, with steep slopes and difficult-to-access areas, making transit through the city challenging.
La Rinconada has a tundra or frigid climate, classified as alpine and close to a glacial climate.
The city experiences average annual temperature of 1.3°C and average annual precipitation of 707 millimeters.
Throughout the year, cold temperatures prevail, with frigid nights and daytime temperatures just a few degrees above freezing.
Summers are humid, with frequent snowfall, while winters are dry and extremely cold.
Economic Activity
This high-Andean town, which emerged in the 1990s, has a population of approximately 12,600 people, most of whom rely on artisanal and informal gold mining in the mines located on the southern flank of the snow-capped Ananea Grande.
Gold price fluctuations impact the number of residents. For example, the 235% increase in gold prices between 2001 and 2009 led to a sharp rise in population, reaching nearly 30,000 inhabitants.
However, the decline in gold prices in the second decade of the 21st century caused a population decline, reducing the number of residents to approximately 12,600, according to the 2017 National Census.
Public Health at Risk
The extreme altitude reduces oxygen levels to about half of those at sea level, making acclimatization difficult.
It takes around 30 days for a person to adjust to these conditions, and chronic altitude sickness, known as Monge's disease, is endemic.
This health issue, combined with a lack of adequate basic services, unsanitary conditions, and mining pollution, severely affects the quality of life and life expectancy of La Rinconada's residents.
Other High-Altitude Cities in Peru
The second-highest inhabited city in Peru is Cerro de Pasco, Pasco region, situated at 4,380 meters above sea level, with an estimated population of 66,860 inhabitants.
The third-highest city is Junin, located in the district, province, and region of the same name, at 4,105 meters above sea level.
It lies on the southern shore of Lake Junin (Chinchaycocha), the second-highest lake in the world after Lake Titicaca, and has an estimated population of around 10,000 people.
Other high-altitude cities in Peru
I. Yauri – capital of Espinar district, Espinar province, Cusco region (3,976 m.a.s.l.)
II. Yanaoca – district of Canas province, Cusco region (3,913 m.a.s.l.)
III. Ayaviri – district of Melgar province, Puno region (3,907 m.a.s.l.)
IV. Lampa – capital of Lampa province, Puno region (3,878 m.a.s.l.)
V. Ilave – district of El Collao province, Puno region (3,862 m.a.s.l.)
VI. Azangaro – capital of Azangaro province, Puno region (3,859 m.a.s.l.)
VII. Juli – district of Chucuito province, Puno region (3,850 m.a.s.l.)
VIII. Yunguyo – capital of Yunguyo province, Puno region (3,847 m.a.s.l.)
IX. Juliaca – capital of San Roman province, Puno region (3,824 m.a.s.l.)
X. Puno – capital of Puno region (3,810 m.a.s.l.)
(END) LZD/MAO/JMP/MVB
Publicado: 17/3/2025