List of highest towns by country explained

This is a list of the highest settlements by country. Many of these are too small to be regarded as towns or cities. Only permanent settlements occupied year-round are included. When possible, the highest point in the contiguous year-round settlement is listed, though average heights or the elevations of a central point may also be found.

The elevation of a settlement affects the social and physical arrangement of the place. In many cases, the cold climate in winter necessitates a particular style of house; the type of agriculture practised and the domestic animals kept there are limited; or the type of work carried on is specialised.

Sovereign, fully recognized countries

RankCountryTown / cityRegion / stateHeight (m)Height (ft)Comment
1 PeruLa RinconadaPuno5,10016,728The highest in the world according to National Geographic magazine (May 2003);[1] pop. 30,000. Barrio Rit’ipata, consisting of miners' shacks, is above it.[2]
2 ChinaTuiwaTibet Autonomous Region5,07016,634Described as the "highest administrative village in the world" by sources such as China Daily.[3]
3Santa BarbaraPotosí Department4,77015,600
4 IndiaKarzokLadakh4,57015,000Hikkim in Himachal Pradesh has year-round residences from 4330 to 4400 meters. Komic, 2 km to the southeast of Hikkim has residences up to 4530 meters, and Korzok on Tso Moriri has year-round residences from 4525 to 4570 meters.
5 ChileParinacotaArica-Parinacota4,40014,435
6 NepalDingbocheKhumbu, Koshi Province4,35014,301Gorakshep (with an elevation of 5,100 m - 16,728 ft) are lodges near to Mount Everest base camp. Lobuche at 4950 metres, Gokyo at 4750 metres (15,583 ft), and Dughla, at 4593 metres (15,075 ft),[4] are higher, but likely not permanently inhabited as they cater to trekkers during season.
7 ArgentinaMina PirquitasJujuy Province4,34014,240Mining company town, with up to 673 inhabitants.[5]
8 AfghanistanQarabolaqWakhan District4,13913,579
9 KyrgyzstanChatyndyOsh Province4,01313,166
10 BhutanLayaGasa District3,82012,533
11 EthiopiaAmarasAmhara Region3,72812,230
12 TajikistanMurghabGorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region3,65011,975
13 MexicoRaícesMexico3,63311,919http://mexico.pueblosamerica.com/i/raices-2/
14 United StatesAlmaColorado3,56011,680http://www.townofalma.com/
15ApartaderosMérida3,505 11,5023,360 m. according to Google Maps.
16 ColombiaVetasSantander3,35010,990[6] 3,230 m. according to Google Maps.
17 EcuadorPapallactaNapo3,30010,827 Zumbahua, according to Google Maps is the highest at 3,510 m.
18 PakistanShimshalGilgit-Baltistan3,20010,499
19 GuatemalaIxchiguánSan Marcos Department3,18510,449highest town in Central America
20 LesothoKhalahaliMokhotlong District3,15810,361
21 Costa RicaVilla MillsCartago Province3,10010,173Near Cerro de la Muerte, Talamanca Range. Permanent population: 65
22 YemenKawkabanSana'a Governorate2,9319,616
23 IndonesiaMuliaPapua Province2,7068,881
24 CameroonNduSouthwest Region2,6118,566
25 EritreaAdi KeyhDebub2,5008,202
26FereydunshahrIsfahan Province2,4908,169[7]
27KurushDokuzparinskiy rayon, Dagestan2,4808,134Highest village in Europe[8]
28 KenyaItenElgeyo-Marakwet County2,4007,874
29 AzerbaijanKhınalıgGuba District2,3757,710Population: 2,075
30BochornaAkhmeta Municipality2,3457,694population only about 1,[9] so Ushguli is generally seen as the highest 'substantial' village.
31 MoroccoTacheddirtAl Haouz2,3147,592
32 ArmeniaAkhpradzorGegharkunik2,2937,444Aragats research station with several buildings at 3200m is operating round the year.[10]
33 RwandaByumbaNorthern Province2,2377,342
34 TurkeyKapıköyVan2,2207,284Population: 635. Karayazı (population 4,724 in 2010) is situated at 2,450m
35 AndorraEl Pas de la CasaEncamp2,2197,280
36 ItalyTrepalleLombardy2,2097,247Cited as highest parish in Europe by its Tourism board[11]
37 Saudi ArabiaAbhaAsir2,2007,218
38 Papua New GuineaWabagEnga Province2,1827,162
39 MongoliaAltai CityYesönbulag, Govi-Altai2,1817,156
41RankousRif Dimashq Governorate2,1507,052Population: 19,900
42 SwitzerlandJufGraubünden2,1266,973Village with a population about 24, highest in Europe according to the municipality's (Avers) web page[12]
43 FranceSaint-VéranHautes-Alpes2,0406,692Known as the highest commune of France - and the highest commune of Europe[13]
44 South AfricaDullstroomMpumalanga2,0196,624
45 UgandaKabaleWestern Region2,0006,560
46 PanamaCerro PuntaChiriquí Province2,0006,560
47Hatu-BuilicoAinaro District2,0006,560
48 AustriaObergurglTyrol1,9306,332Hochgurgl is at 2150m (7,054 feet), but is not recognized as an independent village, but as a part of Obergurgl.
49 BurundiMuramvyaMuramvya Province1,9246,315
50 Sri LankaNuwara Eliya1,8686,128
51 AlgeriaTazrouk1,827 5,994
52 KazakhstanNarynkol1,8195,971
53 MadagascarSoanindrariny1,8175,964
54 SomaliaErigavo1,7885,869
55 ComorosLa ConvalescenceGrande Comore1,7875,866
56 OmanSaiq1,7555,758
57 LebanonBekaa KafraNorth Governorate1,7505,740https://web.archive.org/web/20060720103524/http://www.cedarland.org/mon.html
58 NamibiaWindhoekKhomas Region1,7285,669Also the capital and largest city (pop. 286,000).
59 AngolaHuambo and LubangoHuambo and Huíla1,7215,646
60 HondurasLa EsperanzaIntibucá Department1,7005,577
62MbeyaMbeya Region1,7005,577
63 SpainValdelinaresTeruel, Aragon1,6925,551[14] [15]
64 El SalvadorApanecaAhuachapán Department1,6835,523[16]
65 CanadaLake LouiseAlberta1,6615,449
66 DjiboutiAirolafTadjourah Region1,6675,468
67MasisiNorth Kivu Province1,6515,419
68 ZimbabweMaronderaMashonaland East1,6305,348
69 BrazilCampos do JordãoSão Paulo1,6285,341https://web.archive.org/web/20030820032018/http://www.americamagica.com.br/turista/destinos/des_campos.htm
70Sa PaLào Cai Province1,6005,249
70 BulgariaManastirPlovdiv Province1,6005,249Village centre at 1,460 m, highest neighbourhoods reaching above 1,600 m.http://www.sofialive.bg/place/1633-glutka-vuzduh-v-manastir.html Chamla in Smolyan Province is higher at ~1,650 m, but uninhabited since the 1980s.https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121955/http://www.monitor.bg/article?id=85021 Dospat is the highest town in Bulgaria at 1358 m, as it was upgraded to a town status in 1974.
72 MalaysiaBrinchangPahang1,5925,226Kundasang, located in Sabah, is higher (with 1,884 m), but it is a small village of the town of Ranau.
73 MalawiDedzaCentral Region1,5905,216
74 EgyptSaint CatherineSouth Sinai Governorate1,5865,203
75 NigerInignaoueiAgadez Region, Arlit Department1,5565,108
76 HaitiKenscoffOuest1,5044,934
77SandlaneManzini District1,5034,934
78 PhilippinesBaguioBenguet1,5004,921There are towns that have higher altitude like Atok (2,200m or 7,400 ft), but among places that have city status Baguio is the highest.
78 UzbekistanYangiabadTashkent Province1,5004,921
78 Cape VerdeEstância RoqueFogo Island1,5004,921
81 Bosnia and HerzegovinaLukomirHerzegovina-Neretva Canton, Konjic municipality1,4954,905
82 AustraliaCabramurraNew South Wales1,4754,839Highest on continent Several ski towns & villages are higher than Cabramurra. The highest town without a ski lift network is Dinner Plain at 1,570 metres
83 ThailandBan Na YangChiang Mai Province1,4674,816
84 MontenegroŽabljakŽabljak Municipality1,4564,777
85 GreeceSeli, Samarina and AetomilitsaEpirus and Macedonia (Greece)1,4504,800
86 GuineaMaliLabé Region1,4414,712
87TaunggyiShan State1,4364,730Ndūng Ngid, situated in the Wa State, is a small town at an elevation of 2,235 m (7,333 ft). Area not controlled by the Burmese government. https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=16/22.9050/https://www.unodc.org/documents/southeastasiaandpacific/Publications/2013/SEA_Opium_Survey_2013_web.pdfhttps://www.ecosia.org/images?q=wa%20state%20myanmar%20map%20soas%20wa%20dictionary%20project
88 LiechtensteinRotenbodenTriesenberg1,4164,645
89 CyprusProdromosLimassol District1,3804,528
90 IraqPenjwinSulaymaniyah Governorate1,3684,491
91 RomaniaFundataBrașov County1,3604,462https://m.adevarul.ro/locale/brasov/fundata-cea-mai-inalta-localitate-romania-locul-oamenii-avut-gospodariile-doua-state-diferite-oficial-mai-curat-aer-tara-1_550c69f0448e03c0fdbf3202/index.html]
92 MozambiqueLichingaNiassa Province1,3604,462
93SamjiyŏnRyanggang Province1,3564,452
94KruševoKruševo Municipality1,350[17] 4,429Kruševo is the highest town/ city in North Macedonia. The highest settlement in North Macedonia is Plakje near Ohrid, however it only has a population of 4.
95 TurkmenistanHojapilLebap Province1,3464,416
97PhongsaliPhongsali Province1,3344,379
98 JordanShoubakMa'an Governorate1,3304,360
99 BotswanaKanyeSouthern District1,3064,288
100 VanuatuNokowoulaSanma Province, Espiritu Santo Island1,2914,238
101 ZambiaLusakaLusaka Province1,2794,196
102 GermanyFeldbergBaden-Württemberg1,2774,190highest German village
103 NigeriaJosPlateau State1,2384,062
104 NorwayFinseWestern Norway1,2224,000
105 NicaraguaSan José de CusmapaMadriz Department1,1843,887
106 Dominican RepublicConstanzaLa Vega Province1,1643,819The highest residence situated in Constanza is at 1,330 m above sea level. Jamamucito is higher (1,410 m), but it is a small hamlet pertaining to the village of Jamamu, in the town of Las Placetas, belonging to the city of San José de las Matas.[18]
107 AlbaniaMoscopoleKorçë County1,1603,806
108 SudanKutumNorth Darfur1,1273,700
109 SlovakiaVysoké TatryPrešov Region1,1253,691Highest elevation settlement of town Vysoké Tatry is Vyšné Hágy with 1,125 m above sea level.[19]
110 SerbiaNova VarošZlatibor District1,1113,648
112 ChadAouzouBorkou-Ennedi-Tibesti Prefecture1,0743,526
113 Central African RepublicBocarangaOuham-Pendé1,0723,517
114 CroatiaBegovo RazdoljePrimorje–Gorski Kotar County1,0603,478Reference: Note: The meteorological station at Zavižan is located at an altitude of, and is staffed round the clock by a family from a nearby village, but is not legally considered a settlement.[20]
115 PortugalGuardaGuarda District1,0563,464Penhas da Saúde, Covilhã Municipality, is higher (at 1,500 m), but it is a small village.
117 Czech RepublicBoží DarKarlovy Vary Region1,0283,372
118 TunisiaThalaKasserine Governorate1,0173,337
119 PolandZąbLesser Poland Voivodeship1,0133,326[21]
119 Equatorial GuineaMokaBioko Island1,0133,326
122M. VilelaSão Tomé Island9913,254
123 BelizeBaldy BeaconCayo District9783,211
124 SloveniaZgornje JezerskoCarinthia9733,195
125 IsraelBeit JannNorthern District940 3,084
126 GabonNdindiNgounié Province9323,061
127 UkraineYasiniaZakarpattia Oblast, Rakhiv Raion9313,054
128 Solomon IslandsKamanjikokoGuadalcanal Province9132,998
129 Sierra LeoneDawuleNorthern Province8902,923
130 JapanFujikawaguchikoMinamitsuru District, Yamanashi Prefecture8752,874
131 SamoaAfiamaluUpolu Island8632,834
132 CambodiaPhumi Popok VilKampot Province8422,765
133 SwedenHögvålenHärjedalen8352,739
134ToritEastern Equatoria8292,723
135 New ZealandNational Park VillageManawatū-Whanganui region8252,706https://web.archive.org/web/20110106145049/http://www.visitruapehu.co.nz/new-zealand/Volcanic-Plateau/ Population:174
136 HungaryMátraszentimreHeves County8102,657
137EdzouansekePlateaux Department8032,637
138 TogoSadoméPlateaux Region7982,621
139 FijiNavaiViti Levu7382,424
141 LibyaGharyanJabal al Gharbi District7002,296
142 GhanaAmedzofeVolta Region6772,224
143 San MarinoCity of San MarinoCastello della Città di San Marino6752,215Also the capital.
144 Trinidad and TobagoBrasso SecoTunapuna–Piarco6732,211
145 LiberiaSaniquellieNimba County6712,204
146 ParaguayPedro Juan CaballeroAmambay6702,201
147 BelgiumRocherathLiège6502,133https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025232/http://www.serrigerland.de/eifelskizentrum_belgien_rocherath_skilanglauf_wintersport.htm
147TaebaekGangwon Province6502,133
149 JamaicaMandevilleManchester Parish6282,061
150 Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesFancySaint Vincent Island6122,007
151 GuyanaIpichauPotaro-Siparuni6112,004
152 MaliSadegueMopti Region6041,984
154 Cote d'IvoireBiankoumaBiankouma Department6001,971
155 United Arab EmiratesMasafiRas al-Khaimah and Fujairah5671,863
157 FinlandKilpisjärviLapland4901,607excursionmap.fi
158 MauritaniaZouératTiris Zemmour Region4881,604
160PwoaipwoaiPohnpei4781,571
161 CubaYaterasGuantánamo Province4701,542
162 IcelandMöðrudalurEastern Region4691,539
162 LuxembourgTroisviergesClervaux4691,539
164 United Kingdom
FlashStaffordshire, England4631,519Verified by Ordnance Survey
165 Burkina FasoDialiCascades Region4561,499
166 Saint LuciaMignySoufrière Quarter4541,492
167 BeninAledjo-KouraDonga Department4511,482
168 MauritiusCurepipePlaines Wilhems District4461,466
169 SurinameAnapiSipaliwini District3981,309
171 GrenadaConstantineSaint George Parish3961,302
173BălăneștiNisporeni District3241,066
174 UruguaySanta Clara de OlimarTreinta y Tres Department3201,050
175 BarbadosWhite HillSaint Andrew Parish3041,000
176 IrelandGlencullenCounty Dublin300[22] 980
178 MaltaDingliMalta Island, Western District250820
182 BangladeshRulkipparaChittagong Division237780
184 LithuaniaŠvenčionysUtena County230755
185 Guinea-BissauBolabáGabú Region226744
186 BelarusLahojskMinsk Region220725
187 LatviaAlūksneVidzeme217712List of highest towns in Latvia
189Rumah SuponTutong District203669
190 NetherlandsVaalsLimburg198650
191 TongaPangai'Eua Island184606
192 KuwaitWafraAl Ahmadi Governorate168554
194 PalauNgatpangNgatpang State, Babeldaob Island162534
195 DenmarkEjerRegion Midtjylland160520https://web.archive.org/web/20080421005622/http://www.visitskanderborg.com/international/en-gb/menu/turist/attraktioner/ejer-baunehoej/ejer-bavneh%C3%B8j.htm
196 SenegalNepen DiakhaKédougou Region153502
197 EstoniaOtepääValga County152499
203Vatican City75246
204 QatarUmm BabJariyan al Batnah68226
206 BahrainAwaliAwali Municipality62206
207BaniUpper River Division, Kantora District50164
208 NauruUaboeUaboe District35118
209FreeportGrand Bahama, Freeport District1036
212 DominicaNone00
212 Saint Kitts and NevisNone00
212 SeychellesNone00
212 Antigua and BarbudaNone00
212 SingaporeNone00
212 MonacoNone00
212 KiribatiNone00
212 Marshall IslandsNone00
212 TuvaluNone00
212 MaldivesNone00

Countries with disputed sovereignty

RankCountryClaimantTown / CityRegion / StateHeight (m)Height (ft)Comment
40 GeorgiaLetiDzau district2,1797,152
59 SerbiaRestelicaDistrict of Prizren, Dragaš Municipality1,7175,636
110 ChinaWutaiPingtung County1,0753,530
116 GeorgiaPskhuSukhumi District1,0473,438
121 IsraelHalhulHebron Governorate1,0043,297
159 Western Sahara MoroccoHasi ChorOued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira4831,584

Dependent countries and overseas territories

This section includes all countries and territories that are listed by ISO 3166-1 but not listed in the above sections.

RankCountryMother countrySettlementRegion / StateHeight (m)Height (ft)Comment
95 Reunion FranceHell-BourgSalazie Commune1,3444,412
140 Puerto Rico United StatesAibonitoSan Juan–Caguas–Guaynabo metropolitan area7312,401
153 Martinique FranceLe Morne-VertLe Morne-Vert Commune6011,975
156 Guadeloupe FranceSaint-ClaudeSaint-Claude Commune5441,788
170 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha United KingdomLongwoodSaint Helena, Longwood District3971,305
172 United StatesDorothea and ResolutionSaint Thomas3711,220
177 American Samoa United StatesA'oloauTutuila264869
178 Mayotte FranceVahibéCommune of Mamoudzou250820
178 New Caledonia FranceFarinoSouth Province250820
181 Montserrat United KingdomSaint John'sNorthern Zone239787
183 French Guiana FranceSaülArrondissement of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni230757
186 Christmas Island AustraliaDrumsite219721
188 Northern Mariana Islands United StatesCapitol HillSaipan214705A settlement with no official status located within the larger municipality of Saipan. Capitol Hill is home to the territory's executive and legislative branches of government.
198 United KingdomFoxdaleGlenfaba sheading151498
199 Guam United StatesSanta Rita131433
200 ArubaShiribana127419
202 NorwayNybyenSpitsbergen100300
205 NetherlandsSint Willibrordus67223
209 Cayman Islands United KingdomBodden TownBodden Town district1030
211 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands United KingdomGrytvikenSouth Georgia Island310
212 French Polynesia FranceNone00
212 Hong Kong ChinaNone00
212 Faroe Islands DenmarkNone00
212 United KingdomNone00Claimed by Argentina
212 Cook Islands New ZealandNone00
212 Wallis and Futuna FranceNone00
212 United KingdomNone00
212 Gibraltar United KingdomNone00
212 FranceNone00
212 United KingdomNone00
212 NetherlandsNone00
212 Norfolk Island AustraliaNone00
212 FranceNone00
212 Saint Pierre and Miquelon FranceNone00
212 ChinaNone00
212 United KingdomNone00
212 United KingdomNone00
212 Bermuda United KingdomNone00
212 Niue New ZealandNone00
212 Anguilla United KingdomNone00
212 Turks and Caicos Islands United KingdomNone00
212 British Indian Ocean Territory United KingdomNone00
212 Cocos (Keeling) Islands AustraliaNone00
212 Tokelau New ZealandNone00
212 Greenland DenmarkNone00
None, territorial claimsThere are no towns, cities, villages or permanent settlements in Antarctica; only research stations.

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20081218152024/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/01/gold/larmer-text/1 "The Real Price of Gold"
  2. News: William Finnegan. Tears of the Sun The gold rush at the top of the world.. April 13, 2015. The New Yorker. April 20, 2015. I followed Ilasaca past many tiny huts of shiny corrugated tin—dirt-floored worker housing in a bare-bones encampment known as Barrio Rit’ipata..
  3. Web site: Life in Tibet's rooftop village . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210919043336/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2014-08/13/content_18302702.htm . 2021-09-19 . 2023-05-02 . China Daily.
  4. Book: Bezruchka, Stephen. A guide to trekking in Nepal. registration. 13 May 2012. 1985. Mountaineers. 978-0-89886-094-8. 218.
  5. http://www.silverstandard.com/_resources/pirquitas_technical_report.PDF p. 187
  6. http://www.vetas-santander.gov.co/nuestromunicipio.shtml?apc=mIxx-1-&m=f#geografia{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Vetas municipality geographical information in Spanish
  7. Web site: Fereydunshahr, Iran Page. Global Gazetteer Version 2.2. 9 October 2011. online.
  8. Web site: Поселения человека. Города - самые самые.... РУССКАЯ КНИГА РЕКОРДОВ И ДОСТИЖЕНИЙ.
  9. http://agenda.ge/news/62655/eng Bochorna – new highest settlement in Europe with only one resident
  10. Web site: Research Stations - Cosmic Ray Division. crd.yerphi.am. 2019-07-20.
  11. http://www.livigno.eu/en/home.jsp?idrub=35043 Livigno Tourist Office
  12. http://www.gemeindeavers.ch/index.cfm Gemeinde Avers
  13. Page 505, Chapter Hautes Alpes, book France, Collection Guide vert, publisher Le Michelin, 2009
  14. Web site: Rajadel . Luis . 2015-02-06 . Un plató publicitario de altura . 2023-06-04 . Heraldo de Aragón . es.
  15. Web site: El pueblo . 2023-06-04 . Ayuntamiento de Valdelinares . es.
  16. http://www.tamarindotouringcompany.com/prepackaged_tour/8 Discover Cuscatlan
  17. http://travel2macedonia.com.mk/destinations/krusevo Information about Krusevo
  18. Web site: Google Maps.
  19. Web site: Vyšné Hágy (1125m). kamnahory.sk. 2020-01-29.
  20. Web site: Climate. Northern Velebit National Park. 18 December 2017.
  21. Web site: Kieras . Dorota . 2018-01-20 . Która wieś w Polsce jest położona najwyżej? . https://web.archive.org/web/20230208225435/https://podroze.onet.pl/ciekawe/zab-najwyzej-polozona-wies-w-polsce-1013-m-npm/l5889lh . 2023-02-08 . 2023-04-30 . Onet.pl.
  22. http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,718908,720508,4,1 Ordnance Survey Ireland: Public Map Viewer