La Paz, Bolivia, sits at 3,640 m — the highest capital city in the world. Amsterdam is below sea level.
How to Play: Guess if the city on the right is at HIGHER or LOWER elevation than the one on the left.
Name A
Name B
Top 10 Highest-Elevation Cities (City Center)
City elevation is measured from the city center to mean sea level. Most major cities are coastal or river-mouth and sit below 200 m. The high-altitude exceptions cluster in the Andes, the Tibetan Plateau, and a few East African highlands.
| # | Name | Elevation (m) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lhasa (Tibet) | 3,656 | meters |
| 2 | La Paz | 3,640 | meters |
| 3 | Quito | 2,850 | meters |
| 4 | Bogotá | 2,640 | meters |
| 5 | Addis Ababa | 2,355 | meters |
| 6 | Mexico City | 2,240 | meters |
| 7 | Nairobi | 1,795 | meters |
| 8 | Kabul | 1,790 | meters |
| 9 | Johannesburg | 1,753 | meters |
| 10 | Denver | 1,609 | meters |
Why City Elevation Varies
Most ancient cities formed at coastal harbors, river crossings, or fertile valleys — all at moderate elevations. High-altitude cities exist where geography forced the issue: La Paz, Quito, Bogotá, and Mexico City all formed in pre-Columbian highland valleys with abundant water and arable land but inhospitable lowlands nearby.
Lhasa and La Paz vie for the title of ‘highest capital city’ depending on definition. La Paz at 3,640 m is the highest seat of government for a capital. Lhasa at 3,656 m is technically higher but is a regional/cultural capital, not a national one. Sucre, Bolivia’s constitutional capital at 2,810 m, also sometimes counted in this debate.
Some cities lie below sea level. Amsterdam’s center sits at -2 m, with much of the surrounding Netherlands below sea level too — protected by dikes since the medieval period. Baku, Azerbaijan sits at -28 m on the Caspian Sea, which is below the world ocean. The Dead Sea region cities (Jericho area) are even lower at -260 m.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the highest capital city?
La Paz, Bolivia (3,640 m) is the highest capital city by seat of government. Lhasa (3,656 m) is technically higher but is a regional capital.
Are any major cities below sea level?
Amsterdam (-2 m) and Baku (-28 m) are notable below-sea-level cities. New Orleans’s lowest neighborhoods sit at about -2 m.
Why is Mexico City so high?
Mexico City sits at 2,240 m in a high valley surrounded by volcanoes, originally selected by the Aztec founders for water access in an otherwise arid plateau.
Does altitude affect daily life?
Above 2,500 m, oxygen is reduced enough to affect athletic performance and visitor adjustment. Long-term residents adapt with higher hemoglobin counts. La Paz natives can run marathons at 3,600 m without supplemental oxygen.
Note: Elevations in meters above mean sea level for city centers. Some metropolitan areas span wide elevation ranges; values shown are central business district reference.
More Wise Games to Try