Imagine living in a city where breathing is difficult, running water is unavailable and basic sanitation facilities are almost nonexistent. Surprisingly, this is everyday life for thousands of people in La Rinconada, a remote settlement in the Peruvian Andes that is recognised as the world's highest permanent human settlement.

Located nearly 5,000 metres above sea level, La Rinconada is unlike any other destination you might find on a travel bucket list. While Peru is famous for attractions such as Machu Picchu and the Amazon rainforest, this extraordinary settlement offers a very different picture of life. Despite its harsh conditions, people continue to live here for one major reason: gold.

The World's Highest Inhabited Settlement

La Rinconada is situated high in the Andes Mountains, on the slopes of Mount Ananea and beneath a glacier known as La Bella Durmiente, meaning 'Sleeping Beauty'.

In 2019, NASA highlighted this unusual settlement through its Earth observation programme and described it as the world's highest settlement. An image captured on August 1, 2019, offered a glimpse of this remote mining town.

What makes La Rinconada particularly surprising is the lack of basic infrastructure. The settlement has no conventional running water supply, sewage network or organised garbage disposal system. Despite these limitations, tens of thousands of residents continue to call it home.

Gold Mining Is the Main Reason People Live Here

The story of La Rinconada is closely connected to gold mining. Around four decades ago, the settlement began as a temporary mining camp. However, increasing opportunities in gold extraction gradually attracted more workers and their families.

One of the unusual aspects of mining here is the traditional labour arrangement known as cachorreo. Under this system, miners work for a specified period without regular wages. In return, they are allowed to keep whatever gold they manage to extract during designated working days.

Although this arrangement offers the possibility of earning a fortune, there is no guarantee of finding gold. Workers may spend weeks underground without receiving any meaningful financial reward.

As international gold prices increased during the 2000s, more people moved to the region. NASA reported that the settlement's population grew by approximately 230 per cent between 2000 and 2009.

Life Without Running Water and Proper Sanitation

Despite its growing population, La Rinconada continues to struggle with basic infrastructure. Many residents do not have access to conventional running water, proper sewage facilities or organised waste management.

Garbage is often burned or buried outside the settlement, creating additional environmental and public health concerns.

Electricity was introduced during the 2000s, bringing some improvements to everyday life. However, the absence of essential civic facilities continues to make living conditions extremely difficult.

The combination of mining activities, inadequate sanitation and environmental pollution makes the settlement particularly challenging for its residents.

Breathing at This Altitude Is a Major Challenge

Another major difficulty is the extremely high altitude. At approximately 5,000 metres above sea level, the oxygen available in the air is significantly lower than at sea level.

People living in such conditions may develop chronic mountain sickness (CMS), a condition associated with prolonged exposure to high altitudes and low oxygen levels.

Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, breathlessness and an unusually rapid heartbeat. Severe cases can lead to serious cardiovascular complications.

For visitors travelling from lower-altitude regions, reaching La Rinconada without proper acclimatisation can also be dangerous.

Why Does La Rinconada Continue to Attract People?

Despite its difficult living conditions, La Rinconada continues to attract people hoping to improve their financial circumstances through gold mining.

The possibility of discovering valuable gold keeps drawing workers to this remote settlement, even though the risks and uncertainties are considerable.

La Rinconada is therefore more than just a geographical wonder. It is a striking example of how the search for natural resources can shape human settlements, even in places where basic survival itself is a daily challenge.