What is the highest permanently inhabited settlement on Earth?

The highest permanently inhabited settlement on Earth is La Rinconada, Peru.

La Rinconada is a mining settlement in the Peruvian Andes, near Mount Ananea in the Puno region. It stands at roughly 5,100 metres (16,700 feet) above sea level, higher than any other permanently inhabited settlement generally recognized in geographic references.

The settlement grew around gold mining, attracting workers despite severe cold, thin air, difficult roads, and limited infrastructure. At that altitude, the air contains substantially less oxygen than at sea level, increasing the risk of altitude sickness and chronic mountain sickness. La Rinconada’s population has changed considerably over time as gold prices and mining activity fluctuated.

A common mix-up is confusing the highest settlement with the highest city or highest administrative centre. Definitions and population thresholds vary, but La Rinconada is the standard answer for the highest permanent human settlement. Lhasa, Potosí, and El Alto are all high-altitude cities, yet each lies considerably lower.