HIGHS AND LOWS

Denver, Colorado is the Mile High City, at 5,280 feet above sea level - exactly one mile high. But it is not the highest U.S. capital. That distinction goes to Santa Fe, New Mexico, at 7,260 feet, followed by Cheyenne, Wyoming at 6,062 feet. Then Denver, followed by Carson City, Nevada at 4,802 feet. 

The highest capital city on earth is La Paz, Bolivia at 11,942 feet above sea level. It is followed by Quito, Ecuador at 9,350 feet, Bogota, Colombia at 8,612 feet, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at 7,726 feet above sea level.

Leadville, Colorado is the highest elevated incorporated city in the United States at 10,152 feet. Alma, Colorado is the highest town (community) in the U.S. at 10,578 feet above sea level.

Badwater Basin in Death Valley, California is the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet below sea level. The lowest land elevation on earth occurs at the Dead Sea with an elevation of 1,341 feet below sea level. The lowest elevation on earth - land or sea - is the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean. At its deepest point, it is 36,037 feet below sea level - almost 8 miles. If Mt. Everest were placed on the ocean floor at this point, its peak would still be under water - by more than a mile. Atmospheric pressure at sea level is 14.7 pounds PSI. At the bottom of the Trench, the pressure is 15,750 PSI.