This chart ranks the world's highest capital cities by elevation above sea level, in metres. La Paz, Bolivia, sits highest of all, where thin mountain air challenges visitors and athletes alike.
About: Highest Capital Cities by Elevation
Overview of the data behind this chartAI Insight
La Paz, Bolivia, is the world's highest capital at 3,640 metres, high enough that arriving visitors often feel the effects of altitude and where even boiling water cooks food differently. Ecuador's Quito (2,850 m) and Bolivia's constitutional capital Sucre (2,790 m) follow, giving the Andes a firm grip on the top three. A striking pattern emerges: the highest capitals cluster in two regions, the Andes of South America and the highlands of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, where Addis Ababa (2,355 m), Asmara (2,325 m) and Sanaa (2,250 m) sit close together. Mexico City (2,240 m) and Kabul (1,790 m) round out the list. All ten lie above 1,700 metres, a reminder that many major seats of government were founded on high, defensible and temperate plateaus rather than at sea level.
Key Findings
Auto-computed highlights from this datasetChart Controls Customize your visualization
Highest Capital Cities by Elevation
Data Insights
Numbers, trends & sources behind this chartCategory Rankings
Elevation (metres above sea level) · All Time| # | Category | All Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | La Paz (Bolivia) | 3,640 |
| 🥈 | Quito (Ecuador) | 2,850 |
| 🥉 | Sucre (Bolivia) | 2,790 |
| 4 | Bogota (Colombia) | 2,625 |
| 5 | Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) | 2,355 |
| 6 | Thimphu (Bhutan) | 2,334 |
| 7 | Asmara (Eritrea) | 2,325 |
| 8 | Sanaa (Yemen) | 2,250 |
| 9 | Mexico City (Mexico) | 2,240 |
| 10 | Kabul (Afghanistan) | 1,790 |
What This Data Shows
Auto-generated trend summaries per categoryFull Data Table
10 records across 1 yearData Sources & References
All external sources cited in this datasetRelated Charts
Strongest Atlantic Hurricanes by Wind Speed Related Chart
Strongest Tropical Cyclones Worldwide by Wind Speed Related Chart
Snowiest Places in the World by Annual Snowfall Related Chart
🎨 Create Your Own Charts!
Transform your data into beautiful, interactive visualizations. No account required - start creating stunning charts in seconds!