Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Town of Waste Beneath the Peaks

La Rinconada, the world’s highest permanent settlement, is home to miners living and working at the edge of civilization. The stark contrast between the snow-capped Andean peaks and the sprawling waste surrounding the town reveals the severe environmental challenges faced by this isolated mining community.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2023
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: La Rinconada, Peru
Camera: L2D-20c
Copyright: © Yan Li