Extreme Heights and Slopes of the World
1. Highest Capital City: La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz is the highest capital city in the world, sitting at an extraordinary altitude of about 3,650 metres (11,975 feet) above sea level.
- What It Is and Where It's Found: La Paz, Bolivia.
- Why It Holds the Record: Its elevation is due to its location in a bowl-shaped valley surrounded by mountains in the Andes range.
- How It Formed: The Andes mountains were formed millions of years ago through the collision of tectonic plates, pushing land upwards to create high peaks and valleys.
- Memorable Fact or Comparison: The elevation of La Paz is higher than many mountain peaks in Europe!
2. Lowest Capital City: Banjul, The Gambia
Banjul is noteworthy as the lowest capital city on Earth, sitting at sea level.
- What It Is and Where It's Found: Banjul, The Gambia, located on an island at the mouth of the River Gambia.
- Why It Holds the Record: It is situated on a flat coastal area, making it the lowest point for a capital.
- How It Formed: Over time, sediment from the river and the ocean created the land where Banjul now stands.
- Memorable Fact or Comparison: As it is at sea level, Banjul is the point that is right at the edge of the ocean, which is responsible for its warm climate!
3. Steepest Street: Baldwin Street, Dunedin, New Zealand
Baldwin Street is renowned for being the steepest street in the world, with a gradient of 35%.
- What It Is and Where It's Found: Baldwin Street, located in Dunedin, New Zealand.
- Why It Holds the Record: The steep incline makes it extremely challenging for vehicles and pedestrians alike.
- How It Formed: The steepness is a natural result of the hilly terrain of Dunedin, shaped by volcanic activity and erosion over time.
- Memorable Fact or Comparison: Its slope is steeper than many roller coasters, making it a fun challenge to walk up!
