La Rinconada, Peru

One of the most extreme settlements in the world is in Peru. La Rinconada is situated in the Alps, at an altitude of 5 100 meters above sea level. This tiny town is the highest settlement in the world. It was founded by settlers, who were attracted to these remote places by the discovered reserves of the gold ore. Despite the fact that it is very hard to live at such a height because of thin air and harsh climatic conditions, the population of La Rinconada is still growing steadily.

Today, the town is home to more than 30 000 people. However, there is still no developed system of sewerage and water supply, and the town can only be accessed along a narrow mountain road. Gold mining in the local mines is held in poor conditions. Many citizens are working for thirty days for free, and on the last day of the month they get a right to withdraw as much ore from a mine as they can carry. After researches, specialists pointed out that living in the city is hazardous to health, and not only because of the lack of sewage systems and low oxygen content in the air.

Mining of gold deposits brings mercury to the air. Such process of evaporating possesses an irreparable harm to the health. Over the years, the mining settlement was visited by only a few researchers and casual travelers. It is literally impossible to  find this town among the vast alpine scenery by your own. It is noteworthy that the first settlement on the site of the modern town has been founded hundreds of years ago, long before people became aware of the large gold deposits. Next - Java