Final answer:
La Paz, Bolivia is the highest big city in the world, sitting at approximately 11,975 feet above sea level. Quito is the second-highest at about 9,200 feet. These elevations are significantly less than that of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The highest big city in the world is La Paz, Bolivia. It sits at an elevation of roughly 3,650 meters (11,975 feet) above sea level.
While Quito is notably high as well, at about 9,200 feet in elevation, it is the second-highest-elevation capital after La Paz.
In comparison to mountains, this is significantly less than the elevation of Mount Everest, which is the highest point on Earth at 29,029 feet (8,848 meters) above sea level.
The high altitude of cities like La Paz presents various challenges for residents and visitors alike, including acclimatization to the thinner air and lower oxygen content.