The 12 Highest Capital Cities In The World

The dictionary defines a capital city as a city or town that functions as the seat of government and administrative center of a country. However, not all countries have their seat of government in the capital, like Sucre in Bolivia, which is the official capital but not the seat of the government. Capital cities are generally strategically chosen to make governance easier, so the largest cities don’t need to become the capital. All said and done, the capital is generally considered the ‘loftiest’ city of a country as it showcases a country’s political might and standing to the world. As a result, some highest capitals cities take the word ‘lofty’ to a new level as they sit on elevations far above any other city in the world.

Check out our list of the 12 highest capital cities in the world; some are so high that acclimatizing to their climates takes visitors quite a while.

Windhoek, Namibia – 1721 meters

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One of the most modern cities of Namibia is its capital, Windhoek. It’s located in central Namibia at an elevation of 1,700 meters. Unlike most African countries, Windhoek enjoys mild temperatures throughout the year. It was first established in 1840 when a stone church was built by Jonker Afrikaner for the Orlam community. However, multiple wars resulted in the decline of the new settlement, which was rebuilt by the Imperial German Army in 1890.

The German influence is evident in a few German castles visible on the skyline. Moreover, German is still spoken by many in the region. The capital city is the main commercial center of Namibia, being linked by road and railway to the port of Walvis Bay and South Africa.

Kabul, Afghanistan – 1,790 meters

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Afghanistan’s capital is situated at an elevation of 1,790 meters in a narrow valley between the Hindu Kush mountains. This ancient city, said to be over 3,500 years old, was a key location on the ancient Silk Road. Then, it became the capital of the Afghan empire in 1776 and has remained the capital since then. Unfortunately, much of it was destroyed during the civil war in the 1990s. However, after the Taliban were removed from power in 2001, it has since witnessed rapid growth.

Kabul, once a mecca for young western hippies, is renowned for its palaces, gardens, and bazaars. One of the highest capital cities in the world, Kabul is the largest urban center and a political and economic hub. The capital city is located at the intersection of roads that lead to Uzbekistan to the north, Pakistan to the east, and Kandahār to the south. See what Kabul offers by reading our list of things to do in Afghanistan.

Nairobi, Kenya – 1,795 meters

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Nairobi, the largest city and capital of Kenya, gets its name from the Maasai phrase” Enkare Nairobi,” which literally means ‘cool water.’ Situated at the height of 1,795 meters between the cities of Kampala and Mombasa, Nairobi experiences a subtropical highland climate with cool summers and winters. The height puts Nairobi on the list of the highest capital city of the world.

Evening temperatures between June and July can fall to 9 degrees Celsius, while the maximum average temperature between December to March climbs to 24 degrees. Despite Nairobi’s sometimes ‘notorious’ reputation, a visit to the city has lots to offer. There’s much to see and do with a national park just on its borders and various museums and historical landmarks.

Tehran, Iran – 2,000 meters

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Situated on the lower slopes of the magnificent Alborz Mountains, altitudes range from 1,712.6 meters in the south of the city to 2,000 meters in northern Iran. The region’s climate is largely influenced by its geographical location, with the Alborz Mountains in the north and the central desert to the south.

The rich history of Iran is visible in Tehran’s buildings like the Golestan Palace, Saadabad, the Azadi Tower, and the US embassy. One of the largest jewel collections in the world, the Iranian Imperial Crown Jewels, is showcased at the city’s museum. Tehran is also an industrial and transportation center. This world’s highest capital produces more than half of Iran’s manufactured goods. Besides, Tehran also seats several educational institutions, including the University of Tehrān.

Sana’a, Yemen – 2,200 meters

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Next on our list of the highest capital cities is Sana’a, Yemen. Yemen’s war-torn capital is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Sana’a means “fortified place,” and it’s situated at the western foot of Mount Nuqum. This results in Sana’a’s moderate climate at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level.

One of the highest capital of the world, Sana’a has been the chief economic, political, and religious center of the Yemen Highlands. Meanwhile, the Old City of Sana’a was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but rather sadly, many of the old buildings were hit by bombs during the conflict in 2015. Get to know more by reading our list of 11 Most Beautiful Places in Yemen.

Mexico City, Mexico – 2,240 Meters

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The most populous city of North America is situated at an elevation of 2,240 meters in the Valley of Mexico. Ciudad de Mexico, or Mexico City, is the oldest capital in the Americas – including the United States – and one of two cities founded by Native Americans. This one of the highest capital cities is enclosed on all sides by mountains that form parts of the Cordillera Neo-Volcánica (Neo-Volcanic Range). Hence, it enjoys a subtropical highland climate with cool summers and cool winters.

Although the Valley of Mexico used to experience several snowfalls per decade, the valley hasn’t seen any snow since 1967, after the draining of Lake Texcoco. Mexico City is fast becoming a popular weekend destination for culture seekers, and urbanists as a new wave of local entrepreneurs strive to rejuvenate the city’s public spaces and culture. The ideal time to visit is in March and November.

Asmara, Eritrea – 2,325 meters

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This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located at the tip of an escarpment on the Eritrean Highlands on the Horn of Africa. Located on the northern tip of the Ethiopian Plateau at an elevation of 2,325 meters, Asmara enjoys a relatively mild climate, although its location is not very far from deserts. It has a rare version of a steppe climate with warm summers and mild winters.

Though Asmara has had inhabitants since 800 BC, it was officially founded in the 12th century AD when four villages eventually joined hands after long periods of conflict. Listed as one of the highest capital cities, Asmara became the capital of the Italian colony of Eritrea in 1900. It remained a small colonial town until 1934.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 2,355 meters

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Often referred to as the ‘political capital of Africa’, Ethiopia’s capital and largest city, Addis Ababa, also serves as the capital of Oromia. This city has been the capital of the Ethiopian state since the late 19th century. It’s situated near the equator on a well-watered plateau surrounded by mountains and hills at an elevation of 2,355 meters above sea level. As a matter of fact, the high elevation ensures that the city enjoys a moderate temperature year-round. Also, it ranks as the highest capital city in the world.

Addis Ababa is extremely safe compared to other cities in the region, and violent crimes are a rarity. As a result, tourism in the area has seen a 10% increase in recent years, with more visitors converging in Addis Ababa. As the center of the administrative and educational, plenty of places are worth visiting here. These include the Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies, palaces of former emperors, and the National Library and Archives.

Bogota, Colombia – 2,640 meters

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Previously known as Santa Fe de Bogota, the capital of Colombia was founded on 6 August 1538 as the capital of the New Kingdom of Granada. In 1819, it became Gran Colombia’s independent nation’s capital. And it has remained the capital of this territory ever since. Bogota is located on a high plateau in the Cordillera Oriental of the Northern Andes Mountains at an altitude of 2,640 meters above sea level. As a result, Bogota one of the highest cities in the world.

Bogota and its surroundings were once covered by extensive wetlands covering nearly 50,000 hectares in the 1960s. Today all that remains is 727 hectares. It’s laid out in a grid pattern and has several plazas or squares. The Plaza Bolívar is the main square in the heart of the city’s historical area. The plaza is the first public monument and is home to a statue of Simón Bolívar.

Thimpu, Bhutan – 2648 meters

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Thimphu is on our list of the highest capital cities and the third-highest capital city in the world. According to World Atlas, it lies at elevations ranging from 2,248 meters to 2,648 meters. The climate is quite mild throughout the year, but the winters can be especially cold, with temperatures dropping to 0 degrees Celsius. Bhutan’s largest city became the capital in 1955, replacing the ancient capital of Punakha.

Thimpu is the most modern of the cities in Bhutan, but it still retains its cultural identity. Ancient traditions are juxtaposed with the modern, making this a place of intrigue and charm. The city is situated in the Himalayan Mountains on the Raidak (also called Thimphu or Wong) River.

Quito, Ecuador – 2,850 meters

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Villa de San Francisco de Quito, or Quito, is Ecuador’s capital and second-largest city. It’s located at an elevation of 2,580 meters above sea level, making it number two of the highest capital cities in the world. Besides, Quito also has the distinction of being the closest capital to the equator, with its central square being about 25 kilometers south of the equator. As such, it is the only city on Earth where the climate is determined by which part of the Hemisphere it falls in.

Quito enjoys a constantly cool climate but receives some of the greatest solar radiation in the world. The city itself offers tons of things to do. And it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.

La Paz, Bolivia – 3,640 meters

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Bolivia has two recognized capitals which are both situated at very high altitudes. The beautiful constitutional capital Sucre is located 2,750 meters above sea level. Meanwhile, La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, lies between 3,250 m and 4,100 meters above sea level. AS a result, the elevation puts La Paz at the top of the world’s highest capital cities.

At this high altitude, the colorful and sometimes chaotic city of La Paz wins the title of ‘highest capital of the world’ hands down. See more 12 Most Beautiful Places in Bolivia.

Just So You Know:

• Lhasa, the capital city of the Autonomous Region of Tibet is often referred to as the ‘roof of the world’ because of its location at 3,656 meters above sea level.
• Check out the full list of capital cities by elevation.

Which is the world’s highest capital city?

La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia, is the highest capital city in the world, at an elevation of 3,640 above sea level. In addition, it’s one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, though it has extreme temperature differences.

What is the second highest capital city in the world?

At 2,850 meters above sea level, Quito, Ecuador’s picturesque capital, is the second highest in the world after Bolivia’s La Paz. It’s situated in a narrow Andean valley and is notable for its well-preserved old town.

What is the highest capital city in Asia?

Thimphu is one of Asia’s highest capitals. The capital of Bhutan, a country in south-central Asia, is located above a 2,000-meter sea level. Thimphu is also known for its Buddhist sites, including the massive Tashichho Dzong monastery.