Elevation of Global Capitals
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Ever wondered which capital city is closest to the clouds? Or maybe which one’s practically dipping its toes in the ocean? Our world map poster showing the elevations of global capitals might just surprise you with some unexpected highs and lows.
Let’s kick things off with a look at the top 10 capitals that are truly head and shoulders above the rest:
| Rank | Capital | Country | Elevation (m) | Elevation (ft) |
| 1 | La Paz | Bolivia | 3,640 | 11,942 |
| 2 | Quito | Ecuador | 2,850 | 9,350 |
| 3 | Thimphu | Bhutan | 2,334 | 7,657 |
| 4 | Bogotá | Colombia | 2,640 | 8,661 |
| 5 | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | 2,355 | 7,726 |
| 6 | Sana’a | Yemen | 2,250 | 7,382 |
| 7 | Asmara | Eritrea | 2,325 | 7,628 |
| 8 | Mexico City | Mexico | 2,240 | 7,349 |
| 9 | Kathmandu | Nepal | 1,400 | 4,593 |
| 10 | Kabul | Afghanistan | 1,790 | 5,873 |
Now, let’s dive into some cool facts about these sky-high cities and their down-to-earth counterparts:
- La Paz, Bolivia, takes the crown as the world’s highest capital. At 3,640 meters (11,942 feet), it’s so high up that newcomers often need time to adjust to the thin air. Interestingly, while La Paz handles the day-to-day government business, Sucre is actually Bolivia’s constitutional capital. And Sucre isn’t exactly at sea level either – it sits at a respectable 2,810 meters (9,220 feet) above sea level. So even in their capital city rivalry, Bolivia keeps things high up! It’s like they’re having a contest to see which city can touch the sky.
- On the flip side, we’ve got Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ capital, which is about as low as you can go without needing scuba gear. Much of the city sits just 2 meters (6.6 feet) above sea level. That’s lower than some people’s kitchen counters!
- If you think your winters are tough, spare a thought for the folks in Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana), Kazakhstan’s capital. It’s the second-coldest capital city globally, with winter temperatures plummeting to a teeth-chattering -40°C (-40°F). That’s so cold that Fahrenheit and Celsius actually agree on the temperature!
- Singapore pulls double duty as both a country and its capital. It averages just 15 meters (49 feet) above sea level. That’s like living on a permanently grounded cruise ship!
- Quito, Ecuador, runner-up in our high-altitude capital contest, is practically hugging the equator. It’s earned the nickname “The Middle of the World,” which sounds like a great title for a fantasy novel.
These quirky elevation facts show just how diverse our world’s capital cities can be. It’s pretty wild to think about how differently people live depending on their altitude. A world map poster showing all this would be a great conversation starter, whether you’re a geography buff, a traveler, or just someone who likes to impress their friends with random facts.
Speaking of which, if you’re in the market for a cool world map to spruce up your walls, check out these options on Amazon:
Whether you’re planning your next adventure, helping your kids with geography homework, or just want to daydream about faraway places, a world map poster can be a fun addition to any room. It’s a great reminder of how big and varied our world really is.
