# La Rinconada

> town in Peru, considered highest elevated human settlement in the world

**Wikidata**: [Q852929](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q852929)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Rinconada,_Peru)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-rinconada

## Summary
La Rinconada is a town in Peru, recognized as the highest-elevated human settlement in the world. It is located in the Andes Mountains at an elevation of approximately 5,100 meters (16,700 feet) above sea level.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: La Rinconada, Ananea District, Puno Region, Peru
- **Elevation**: Approximately 5,100 meters (16,700 feet) above sea level
- **Population**: 16,907 (as of available data)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude -14.631666666667, Longitude -69.446388888889
- **Country**: Peru (República del Perú)
- **Region**: Puno Region
- **District**: Ananea District
- **Classification**: Human settlement
- **Image**: [La Rinconada, Peru](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARinconadapuno.JPG) (CC0, public domain)
- **Notable For**: Highest permanently inhabited human settlement in the world

## FAQs

**What is La Rinconada known for?**  
La Rinconada is known for being the highest permanently inhabited human settlement in the world, located at an elevation of approximately 5,100 meters (16,700 feet) in the Andes Mountains of Peru.

**Where is La Rinconada located?**  
La Rinconada is located in the Ananea District of the Puno Region in southeastern Peru. It lies in the high-altitude Andean terrain near Lake Titicaca.

**What is the population of La Rinconada?**  
The population of La Rinconada is approximately 16,907 people, making it a significant high-altitude community in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.

**What country is La Rinconada in?**  
La Rinconada is located in Peru, a country in South America known for its diverse geography and cultural heritage.

**What makes La Rinconada unique geographically?**  
La Rinconada is unique for its extreme elevation, making it the highest permanently inhabited settlement in the world. It is situated in a region characterized by harsh climatic conditions and limited oxygen availability.

## Why It Matters
La Rinconada matters as a testament to human adaptability and resilience in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Its existence at such a high altitude provides insights into how communities can sustain life in low-oxygen conditions, which is of interest to researchers studying human physiology, high-altitude adaptation, and environmental resilience. The town also represents the socio-economic dynamics of informal mining communities, often operating in legal gray areas, and highlights issues of labor conditions, resource extraction, and environmental impact in high-altitude regions. As a unique case of human habitation, it contributes to the global understanding of extreme altitude living and its implications for health, infrastructure, and community organization.

## Notable For
- Highest permanently inhabited human settlement in the world
- Extreme elevation of approximately 5,100 meters (16,700 feet)
- Existence in a low-oxygen environment
- Location in the Andes Mountains of Peru
- Proximity to high-altitude mining operations
- Informal and challenging living conditions due to extreme climate
- Unique case study for high-altitude human adaptation

## Body

### Location and Geography
La Rinconada is situated in the Ananea District within the Puno Region of Peru. It is located in the high-altitude Andes, near Lake Titicaca, one of the highest navigable lakes in the world. The town's coordinates are approximately latitude -14.631666666667 and longitude -69.446388888889. Its elevation of approximately 5,100 meters (16,700 feet) makes it the highest permanently inhabited human settlement on Earth.

### Demographics and Population
The population of La Rinconada is approximately 16,907. This population endures some of the harshest living conditions on the planet, including extreme cold, low oxygen levels, and limited infrastructure. Despite the inhospitable environment, the community has grown due to the presence of informal gold mining operations, which are a primary source of livelihood for many residents.

### Environmental Conditions
La Rinconada's extreme elevation results in a harsh climate characterized by freezing temperatures, low oxygen levels, and minimal vegetation. These conditions pose significant challenges to human habitation, including health risks such as altitude sickness, pulmonary edema, and other high-altitude-related illnesses. The lack of infrastructure and basic services further compounds the difficulty of sustaining life in the area.

### Economic Activities
The local economy of La Rinconada is largely driven by informal gold mining. Miners often work in dangerous conditions with little regulation or safety equipment. The extraction of gold is done using mercury, which poses serious environmental and health risks to the community. Despite the economic opportunities, the lack of formal employment structures and environmental safeguards contributes to the town's precarious living conditions.

### Infrastructure and Living Conditions
Due to its remote and extreme location, La Rinconada lacks basic infrastructure such as reliable roads, sanitation systems, and consistent access to clean water and electricity. Housing is often makeshift, constructed from materials that offer little protection from the elements. Healthcare and education services are extremely limited, exacerbating the challenges faced by residents.

### Significance in Human Adaptation Studies
La Rinconada is of particular interest to researchers studying human adaptation to high-altitude environments. The town serves as a living laboratory for understanding how the human body adapts to chronic hypoxia (low oxygen levels) and the long-term health impacts of such conditions. Studies conducted in La Rinconada contribute to broader scientific knowledge about high-altitude physiology and potential interventions for altitude-related illnesses.

### Connection to Peru
La Rinconada is part of Peru, a country known for its diverse geography, which includes coastal areas, the Amazon rainforest, and the Andes Mountains. Peru's recognition of indigenous languages such as Quechua and Aymara reflects the cultural context in which La Rinconada exists. The town is located within the Puno Region, which is known for its high-altitude landscapes and proximity to Lake Titicaca.

### Related Entities and Context
- **Ananea District**: The district in which La Rinconada is located, within the Puno Region of Peru.
- **Puno Region**: A region in southeastern Peru known for its high-altitude terrain and cultural heritage.
- **Peru**: A sovereign state in South America with a rich cultural heritage and diverse geography.
- **Human Settlement**: La Rinconada is classified as a human settlement, specifically the highest of its kind.
- **Lake Titicaca**: A nearby geographical feature that influences the region's climate and cultural landscape.

### Image and Representation
An image of La Rinconada is available in the public domain, showing the town's unique high-altitude environment. The image is hosted on Wikimedia Commons and can be accessed at [this link](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ARinconadapuno.JPG).

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](http://desa.inei.gob.pe/censos2007/tabulados/)
3. GeoNames
4. [Source](https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/sante/systeme-sanguin/expedition-5300-le-sang-des-habitants-de-la-ville-la-plus-haute-du-monde-est-hallucinant_140331)