Imagine living in a city that's literally in the clouds. Some people do! We are going on a journey to find the ten highest capital cities on Earth.
These cities are built so far up that the air is thinner and the views are amazing. A city's elevation can shape its culture, its people, and its way of life.
See Top 10 Cities
Let's start our climb and see which city takes the top spot for the highest current elevation.
1. La Paz, Bolivia
Elevation: 3,640 meters (11,942 feet)La Paz is the highest capital city in the world! It is the seat of government for Bolivia. The city sits in a canyon, creating a stunning landscape of buildings climbing up the mountainsides.
2. Quito, Ecuador
Elevation: 2,850 meters (9,350 feet)The capital of Ecuador sits right on the equator. Despite its location, the city has a cool climate all year round because of its high altitude.
3. Sucre, Bolivia
Elevation: 2,810 meters (9,214 feet)Sucre is the official constitutional capital of Bolivia. It is known for its beautiful, well-preserved city center with whitewashed buildings, giving it the nickname "The White City."
4. Cochabamba, Bolivia
Elevation: 2,558 meters (8,392 feet)While Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia, Cochabamba is a major city known for its "Christ of Peace" statue, which is even taller than the one in Rio de Janeiro.
5. Bogotá, Colombia
Elevation: 2,640 meters (8,660 feet)This bustling city is the capital of Colombia. It is located on a high plateau in the Andes Mountains. Millions of people have adapted to life at this impressive height.
6. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Elevation: 2,355 meters (7,726 feet)As the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa is the highest capital city in Africa. Its name means "new flower." It is a key diplomatic center for the entire continent.
7. Thimphu, Bhutan
Elevation: 2,334 meters (7,657 feet)Nestled in the Himalayas, Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan. It's one of the few capitals in the world that does not have any traffic lights.
8. Asmara, Eritrea
Elevation: 2,325 meters (7,628 feet)Asmara is the capital of Eritrea in the Horn of Africa. The city is famous for its beautiful Italian colonial architecture and its pleasant, cool climate thanks to its high altitude.
9. Sana'a, Yemen
Elevation: 2,250 meters (7,380 feet)Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Its unique architecture makes it look like a fairytale, high in the mountains.
10. Mexico City, Mexico
Elevation: 2,240 meters (7,350 feet)The capital of Mexico is one of the largest cities in the world. It was built on the site of the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, in a high-altitude valley.
Life at such a high altitude is very different. The air has less oxygen, which can take some getting used to. But the people who live there are a testament to our ability to adapt to incredible environments.
You can explore all of these places and more on our interactive elevation map to truly appreciate their location. To find out what's my elevation, simply head to our homepage and enter your location.