High World Cities and Permanent Settlements

Across the globe there are cities of varying elevation due to the Earth's extreme differences in topography. For example a very low elevation city is New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. Its lowest point is -8 feet (United States Geological Survey). By comparison, Denver, Colorado’s highest point is 5,470 feet (USGS). Across the globe however there are a number of other cities and/or permanent settlements that are much higher in elevation than Denver.

The following is a list of five very high world cities and settlements – each of which are over 15,000 feet (4,600). They are arranged by their elevation. For reference, their countries have also been included.

1) Wenquan
Note: This city is named the highest in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.
• Elevation: 16,728 feet (5,099 m)
• Country: China

2) La Rinconada
Note: This city is named the highest in the world by National Geographic Magazine.
• Elevation: 16,467 feet (5,019 m)
• Country: Peru

3) El Aguilar
• Elevation: 16,059 feet (4,895 m)
• Country: Argentina

4) Colquechaca
• Elevation: 15,393 (4,692 m)
• Country: Bolivia

5) Ukdungal
• Elevation: 15,285 feet (4,659 m)
• Country: India

References

United States Geological Survey. (29 April 2005). Elevations and Distances. Retrieved from: http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html

Wikipedia.org. (18 July 2012). List of Highest Cities in the World – Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_cities_in_the_world