Potosi

Another candidate from Bolivia, Potosi is located at an elevation of 13,420 ft or 4,090 m. Founded in 1545 as a mining town, it soon produced fabulous wealth, becoming one of the largest cities in the America and the world, with a population exceeding 240,000. Potosi lies at the foot of the Cerro de Potosi—a mountain popularly conceived of being made of silver ore, whose peak at 1,470 ft or 4,824 m has always dominated the city. The Cerro Rico (Cerro de Potosi) is the reason for Potosi's historical importance, since it was the major supply of silver for Spain during the period of the New World Spanish Empire.

It is from Potosi that most of the silver shipped through the Spanish Main came. During 1556 to 1783, 45,000 short tons of pure silver were mined from Cerro Rico of which 9,000 short tons went to the Spanish monarchy. Due to such extensive mining, the mountain itself has diminished in height by a few hundred metres. In 1672, a mint was established to coin silver and water reservoirs were built to fulfil the growing population's need. At that time, more than 86 churches were built and the city's population increased to nearly 200,000—making it one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world.

After 1800, the silver mines were depleted, making tin the main product. This eventually led to a slow economic decline. Nevertheless, the mountain continues to be mined for silver to this day. Due to poor work conditions, lack of protective equipment and constant inhalation of dust, miners still have short life expectancy with most of them contracting silicosis and dying around 40 years of age.