La Rinconada: The world’s highest city and why it’s called ‘Devil’s Paradise’

Altitude sickness is a major issue that pushes us to think more than one while planning to visit places situated at high elevations. Yet tens of millions of people live thousands of feet above sea level around the world, and one of the most extreme examples is La Rinconada in Peru. Located between 16,404 and 17,388 ft above sea level, it’s the highest permanent settlement on Earth.

However, life is far from easy here. People here rely on food that is imported from lower areas, whereas they are required to manage with no running water, or proper functioning sewage systems. People here got the electricity facility only in the 2000s, yet people live here. So, why do people live here?

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Gold! Yes, it’s because of gold that people are willing to endure so much to live here. Well, La Rinconada, originally a temporary mining town, eventually became a permanent settlement due to the gold rush. However, the town has earned the nickname ‘Devil’s Paradise’ due to lawlessness and the control of criminal gangs.

The conditions in La Rinconada are extremely hazardous. The town is almost contaminated by mercury from illegal gold mining. The air is thin, and mercury vapours slowly poison the residents, with mine workers having an average life expectancy of just 30-35 years—about half the national average in Peru.

It’s disappointing to note that despite the horrendous conditions, people voluntarily move to La Rinconada, driven by poverty and the dream of striking it rich. However, the reality is brutal, with dangerous working conditions, child labour, and rampant prostitution. People come here hoping to earn enough money to leave, while others remain until they die.

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Also, people living also likely know that they won’t have a long life span as they suffer from chronic mountain sickness, yet they continue living here as leaving this place is not an option for them.

La Rinconada’s extreme altitude also poses significant health risks, and so it's not for the faint-hearted. Its toxic environment, harsh conditions, and unforgiving altitude are some challenges that people need to live with when here. Yet, for many, it remains a place of both opportunity and desperation.