La Rinconada

Situated in the Andes at an altitude of 5,100 meters above sea level, La Rinconada is the highest permanent settlement in the world. Its population of around 20-50,000 people is dependent on gold mining.
La Rinconada has been described as ‘one of the most hellish places on the planet’ due to its extreme climate, pollution of water, air and land, an absence of sanitation and waste management, and appalling working conditions, often unpaid. There are no schools or hospitals, and water supplies are contaminated with mercury. The life expectancy of its population is reportedly 30-35 years.

Approx area depicted: 120 km2
Date of image: 2021