There are places in the world which are situated far away from the modern world, technology, communication systems and social policies which are mentaining the present civilization in a balanced state. For the most isolated places in the world, there are characteristic some basic activities, hobbies or distinctive entertainment which keep their unusual lifestyle. One of the most solitary and isolated places in the world is the Peruvian location, La Rinconada town. Situated in the Andean region,Peru it is recognised as beeing the highest city in the world, at about 5.000 m from the sea level. The most suitable way to reach this location is from Puno area. The La Rinconada town is placed on a glacier plate and the only way to reach this place is by airplain or by car. Despite the extreme life conditions, there can be found a population of 30.000 people.
Near La Rinconada is located a gold mine, which the most important inheritance and pride for its citizens. The basic activity is focused on working in the gold mine. The people who work there have special agreements with the Peruvian authorities, which allows them to keep a small part of the reached gold. The workers have to work in the mine during almost a month with no payment and at the last day they are allowed to keep the reached gold. This is their main source of suviving. The weather is cold and the temperatures can be lower that -30 degrees.
The population that live in La Rinconada, aren’t secured with heating system, central water and other basic conditions for a normal life. These conditions cause heath problems to the people living there, especially children causing a contamination with mercury due to the mining practices. The process of selecting the gold from the rocks and ground involves a special system. It means that it is widely used mercury, in order to reach the gold from the glacier platform in the mine. This process is really dangerous, because it affects people’s heath and also endangers the ecology of the entire region. Beyond the fact that La Rinconada is one of the most isolated places in the world, it is also one of the most non accurate and undeveloped region in the social system, sanitary services, education and culture.
By Natasha Prijilevschi
La Rinconada, Peru - Gold mine
La Rinconada, Peru - Cold weather
La Rinconada, Peru - Unsecured population
La Rinconada, Peru - Hard conditions
La Rinconada, Peru - Solitary location
