Question
Here is the question : WHAT COUNTRY IS HOME TO THE HIGHEST CITY IN THE WORLD?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Peru
- Russia
- Norway
- United States
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
For thousands of years, humanity have developed strategies to survive in harsh environments, from sweltering deserts to icy tundras. The town of La Rinconada is an old gold-mining camp in the remote Peruvian Andes that has since become a ‘major city’ with over 50,000 people permanently living there. It claims to be the tallest city in the world at a height of 16,732 feet. La Rinconada is not an easy place to live due to its high altitude. This metropolis in the sky is not for the faint of heart since it is brutally cold and desolate.
Peru is home to the highest city in the world, located in the Andes mountains. This city is La Rinconada, with an elevation of 16,720 feet or 5,100 meters above sea level. It is considered the highest permanent settlement in the Americas.
La Rinconada was founded in the 1930s by migrants from underdeveloped regions of Peru seeking opportunities in the burgeoning mining industry around Cerro del Obispado mountain. The extremely high altitude and harsh climate made terracing crops and construction challenging but mining became the economic engine of the city. Today, mining remains the main source of employment for residents of La Rinconada.
Life at such a high elevation is difficult due to low oxygen levels, high winds, freezing temperatures and ultraviolet radiation exposure. However, residents have adapted physiologically over generations, developing larger lungs, hearts and red blood cell counts to supply more oxygen to their bodies. Genetics also plays a role in the ability to thrive in this environment.
Peru has a long history of human habitation in the Andes, with cultural groups like the Inca empire building settlements at high elevations. The Incas built the famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu at 7,970 feet high. Today, about 5% of Peruvians live in cities at over 10,000 feet in elevation, totaling over 2 million people. These people developed unique customs, cuisine, architecture and language in the Andes.
Some challenges faced by high-altitude communities include poor access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities. Harsh living conditions lead to health issues like chronic mountain sickness, high blood pressure and stroke. Poverty and lack of infrastructure also contribute to poor sanitation and disease. However, cultural pride in the resilience and strength gained from the environment also nurtures tight-knit, supportive communities.
The Peruvian Andes region has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its cultural significance, architectural marvels and beautiful scenery. It is a hub for adventure tourism, attracting visitors interested in mountaineering, trekking, mountain biking, paragliding and more. Tourism has brought opportunities for economic development and preservation of cultural heritage in the region. However, it also strains limited resources and infrastructure.
La Rinconada shows what human determination and ingenuity can achieve in even the most challenging of environments. Its story is one of hardship, peril, community and triumph against immense difficulties. Residents have forged a unique cultural identity and way of life at the roof of the world. While life at such altitude is arduous, it is lived with a deep sense of purpose and pride in place. The highest city on earth stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of life’s harshest realities. It is a monument to solidarity, heritage and the draw of home. La Rinconada’s profound l