Brilio.net/en - Even if the Himalayans are known as the rooftop of the world, it is in South America that the mankind has settled the highest capital cities in the world! The Chilean specialist in computer graphics Marcelo Duhalde made a ranking and here is the list of the 6 most incredible towns built high up in the clouds!
1. La Paz, Bolivia
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Image via wikimedia
The highest capital of the world, La Paz, is located at 3660 meters above the sea level, which is the universal indicator used by scientists to classify all the different cities. However, its only the city centre of La Paz that is located at the height mentioned, most of the districts are lower in altitude. One of the main attraction of the city La Paz-El Alto Cable Car has got three different cable lines linking the different neighbourhoods together.
2. Quito, Ecuador
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Image via gettyimages
The capital of Ecuador is perched on the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2850 metres. El Panecillo hill is one of the oldest historic districts of the city and one of the best spots to have a perfect overview of all parts of the city. Watch out though, this neighbourhood doesnt have the reputation to be very safe.
3. Bogota, Colombia
Image via gettyimages
Bogota is in the ranking the third highest capital in South America, located at an average 2640 metres above sea level. One of the greatest views of the city can be admired from the Montserrat church. To get to the church youll have to use a cable car or a train if you dont feel like climbing all the way up on your own!
4. Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia
Image via addisbiz
Perched on a plateau and spread on different levels ranging from 2300 to 2600 meters (as in La Paz, the most frequently mentioned highest altitude corresponds to the city centre part), Addis Ababa is the fourth highest world capital. This city of 4 million people is also considered by some as the capital of the African continent, because it is the seat of the African Union, which groups 53 countries (all countries except Morocco).
5. Thimphou, Bhutan
Image via visitbhutan
With the lack of traffic this high altitude city can sometimes be mistaken for a village. In addition to holding the title of 5th highest capital in the world, Thimphou, the capital of Bhutan, hold the record of safest city in the world (Bhutan is one of the only country in the world with a criminality rate close to zero) and begging doesnt exist. This is also the only capital city who doesnt have its own airport, because the Thimphu valley is too narrow for the construction of a landing strip.