La Rinconada, Peru, is the highest inhabited city globally, located at 5,000-5,300 meters above sea level. Part of the Puno region, it has approximately 12,600 residents mainly engaged in gold mining. The city faces severe health risks and difficult living conditions due to its extreme altitude and climate. Other notable high-altitude cities include Cerro de Pasco and Junin.
Peru is renowned for its geographical extremes, including the Amazon River and Lake Titicaca. However, it is also home to the highest inhabited city in the world, La Rinconada. Situated within the Peruvian Andes, specifically in the Altiplano, this city is located at an altitude between 5,000 and 5,300 meters above sea level.
La Rinconada is part of the Ananea district in the Puno region and is classified within the Janca or Cordillera natural region. The rugged terrain poses significant challenges for transit, and the city is characterized by steep slopes and limited access due to its elevated location.
The climate in La Rinconada is alpine, often bordering on glacial, with an average temperature of just 1.3°C and annual precipitation of 707 millimeters. Residents experience harsh conditions year-round, with cold temperatures dominating and summer months bringing humid weather and snowfall.
Emerging in the 1990s, La Rinconada boasts a population of around 12,600, primarily engaged in artisanal gold mining. The population has fluctuated due to varying gold prices, peaking at nearly 30,000 during a price surge but declining significantly in subsequent years due to decreased gold values.
Residents face significant health risks owing to the extreme altitude, which lowers oxygen levels and complicates acclimatization, often resulting in chronic altitude sickness. Poor living conditions and a lack of essential services compound these health challenges, impacting the quality of life for those in La Rinconada.
Other notable high-altitude cities in Peru include Cerro de Pasco at 4,380 meters, which has approximately 66,860 residents, and Junin at 4,105 meters with around 10,000 inhabitants. Additional high-altitude towns include Yauri, Yanaoca, Ayaviri, Lampa, Ilave, Azangaro, Juli, Yunguyo, Juliaca, and Puno, all situated above 3,800 meters.
In summary, La Rinconada in Peru holds the title of the highest inhabited city worldwide, characterized by its extreme altitude and challenging living conditions. The population predominantly relies on gold mining, with demographic shifts linked to commodity prices. Additionally, the city faces significant health risks due to altitude sickness and inadequate services, reflecting the broader challenges encountered by other high-altitude cities in the region. Moving forward, addressing health and living conditions in such environments will be essential for the welfare of the inhabitants.
Original Source: andina.pe
