Elevation
Potosi elevation and altitude
Potosi, Bolivia is 13,015 feet (3,967 meters) above sea level — more than a mile high. Elevation and altitude mean the same thing here: the height of the city above the sea.
What 13,015 feet means in Potosi
Among the 689 cities on this site, Potosi is one of the highest. At 13,015 ft the air is thin enough that most visitors notice it: stairs and hills feel harder for the first few days.
Air pressure. Air pressure falls as you climb, about 1 inHg for every 1,000 ft near the ground. In Potosi a barometer that is not corrected to sea level reads around 18.28 inHg on an average day, while the weather forecast still quotes a sea-level number near 29.92 inHg.
Cooking. Water boils at about 188 °F (86.5 °C) here, so boiled foods cook more slowly and baking recipes often need small high-altitude adjustments. Boiling point at altitude
Where the number comes from. The elevation is for the city center point in the GeoNames gazetteer, taken from a digital elevation model. To check the exact height where you are standing, use What is my elevation? or What is my altitude?
Elevation of places near Potosi
| Place | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sucre, Bolivia | 9,180 | 2,798 | 50 mi |
| Oruro, Bolivia | 12,746 | 3,885 | 142 mi |
| Cochabamba, Bolivia | 8,323 | 2,537 | 154 mi |
| La Paz, Bolivia | 12,408 | 3,782 | 265 mi |
| El Alto, Bolivia | 13,091 | 3,990 | 265 mi |
| Puno, Peru | 12,441 | 3,792 | 382 mi |
| Juliaca, Peru | 12,579 | 3,834 | 404 mi |
| Arequipa, Peru | 7,864 | 2,397 | 439 mi |
Frequently asked questions
What is the elevation or altitude of Potosi?
Potosi, Bolivia is about 13,015 feet (3,967 meters) above sea level, measured at the city center. Neighborhoods higher or lower in the city can differ by a few hundred feet.
What is the air pressure in Potosi because of its elevation?
On a standard day the air pressure at 13,015 ft is about 18.28 inHg (619 hPa), 61% of sea-level pressure. Each breath holds about 61% as much oxygen as at sea level.
At what temperature does water boil in Potosi?
About 188 °F (86.5 °C), compared with 212 °F (100 °C) at sea level, so pasta, eggs and beans take a little longer to cook.