Humanity has a remarkable ability to adapt, thriving in corners of the planet where even breathing is a challenge. The towns in this gallery represent the highest inhabited communities across 30 different nations. Nestled on razor-sharp mountain ridges, steep volcanic slopes, and vast alpine plateaus, these resilient settlements showcase incredible cultural ingenuity.
From bustling South American mining hubs to isolated Himalayan monastic villages, click on to discover the world’s highest settlements.