Which city is commonly cited as the highest capital city in the world?

• A. Quito
• B. Lima
• C. Bogota
• D. La Paz

Answer: (D)

Elevation is what this question is testing. When we talk about the highest capital city, we mean the city’s height above sea level. La Paz sits high in the Bolivian Andes, at roughly 3,650 meters (about 11,975 feet) above sea level, which is higher than the other cities listed. Quito is high as well, but around 2,850 meters, Bogotá about 2,640 meters, and Lima is near sea level. So La Paz stands out as the highest, which is why it’s commonly cited in geography references. It’s worth noting that Bolivia has two important centers: Sucre is the constitutional capital, while La Paz is the seat of government, which is why La Paz is the city most often described in this way.