Bolivia
La Paz
Welcome to La Paz, Bolivia! Perched almost 12,000 feet high in the Andes Mountains, this is the highest capital city on Earth — and instead of a subway, people commute across town in colorful cable cars flying high above the rooftops.
Why is it famous?
La Paz sits about 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) above sea level, making it the highest seat of government of any capital city in the world.
Because the city is built into a steep, bowl-shaped valley, La Paz built the world's largest urban cable car network, called Mi Teleférico, to help people get around.
How was it built?
Spanish explorer Alonso de Mendoza founded La Paz in 1548, choosing a sheltered valley high in the Andes Mountains.
As the city grew, homes climbed higher and higher up the steep valley walls — so engineers eventually built cable car lines instead of roads to connect the highest neighborhoods.
Amazing facts
Mi Teleférico has more than 30 stations connected by colorful cable car lines, carrying commuters high above the traffic below.
Snow-capped Mount Illimani, over 21,000 feet tall, towers in the background and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.
Quick facts
- Mi Teleférico has more than 30 stations connected by colorful cable car lines, carrying commuters high above the traffic below.
- Snow-capped Mount Illimani, over 21,000 feet tall, towers in the background and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.
- Because the air is so thin at this altitude, some visitors sip coca leaf tea to help their bodies adjust.
- Bolivia actually has two capital cities — Sucre is the official constitutional capital, while La Paz is where the government actually works.