8 of the 10 Highest Cities are in LatAm

La Rinconada, Peru, perfectly encapsulates Latin Americans' adventurous and brave spirit but also how tough life in LatAm can be. At 5.1 km above sea level, it's considered the tallest permanent settlement in the world. On top of that (pun intended), it beats the world’s second-highest city, El Alto, Bolivia, by a whole kilometer.

Does it sound romantic and beautiful? You might wonder why people bother living that high up in the Andes mountains. Is it the scenery? Or great skiing? Not quite. The answer, in a word, is gold.

The town is home to many informal mines, and its residents scour them daily, often in hazardous conditions, to try and earn a living. One complication of living so far removed from the rest of the country is the lack of trash collection. Garbage is fair game to throw anywhere in the city, so La Rinconada is covered in it.

Still, brave Peruvians venture into the Andes in search of a better life, perhaps even gold riches.

While La Rinconada is an extreme example of high-up life, it's not the only one in Latin America. Our region is home to 8 of the 10 most elevated cities in the world. A few factors help explain Latin America's seeming affinity for altitude:

The Andes is the longest mountain range on Earth.

Historically, the mountains were a good refuge from disease found in the tropical climates of LatAm.

Some crops — essential to the region's trade economy — can only grow at high altitudes.

Some larger cities like Cusco — the Incan Empire's capital and the gateway to Machu Pichu — and Bogota — known for its vibrant arts and culture scene — have become attractive tourist destinations. Meanwhile, La Rinconada stands firm, reminding us of Latin American boldness and the region's massive opportunity for improvement.