top of page
  • TikTok
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

GEOGRAPHY

Geography-removebg-preview_edited.png

Physical - Capitals

SIDE Ladder.png

Capitals with the Lowest Elevation

This list features the lowest capital cities by elevation.

RANK

CAPITAL

COUNTRY

ELEVATION

DESCRIPTION

1

Baku

Azerbaijan

-28 m

Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is the lowest capital in the world. It lies below sea level on the Caspian Sea coast and is known for its oil reserves and modern architecture.

2

Amsterdam

Netherlands

2 m

Amsterdam lies at or slightly below sea level, protected by an extensive system of canals and dikes. Known for its historic canals and cultural landmarks.

3

Malé

Maldives

2 m

Malé, the capital of the Maldives, is just above sea level, making it vulnerable to rising ocean levels. It is one of the most densely populated capitals in the world.

4

Georgetown

Guyana

2 m

Georgetown is a coastal city with much of its infrastructure lying below sea level, protected by sea walls. It’s known for its colonial architecture and lush gardens.

5

Copenhagen

Denmark

3 m

Copenhagen is situated on coastal lowlands and is only a few meters above sea level. It is known for its waterfronts, royal palaces, and modern urban design.

6

Tunis

Tunisia

4 m

Tunis is located near the Mediterranean coast at a low elevation, known for its historical medina and as a gateway to ancient Carthage.

7

Bandar Seri Begawan

Brunei

5 m

Bandar Seri Begawan is located on low-lying coastal plains. It is known for its opulent mosques and the wealth generated by Brunei’s oil and gas industries.

8

Dhaka

Bangladesh

6 m

Dhaka sits on a low floodplain along the Buriganga River. Its low elevation makes it susceptible to flooding, particularly during the monsoon season.

9

Jakarta

Indonesia

8 m

Jakarta is built on swampy lowlands and is prone to flooding due to its low elevation, land subsidence, and heavy rains. It's one of the largest megacities in the world.

10

Mogadishu

Somalia

9 m

Mogadishu lies just a few meters above sea level on the coast of the Indian Ocean, known for its historical significance and war-torn history.


SIDE Ladder.png

References

UNESCO World Heritage Centre (n.d.) Oldest Cities. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list (Accessed: 6 July 2025). Encyclopedia Britannica (2024) History of Jerusalem. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/place/Jerusalem(Accessed: 6 July 2025). Smithsonian Magazine (2019) The World's Oldest Cities. Available at: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/worlds-oldest-cities-180971124/ (Accessed: 6 July 2025). National Geographic (2022) Ancient Cities of the World. Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/ancient-cities (Accessed: 6 July 2025). The Culture Trip (2022) The Oldest Cities in the World. Available at: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/articles/the-oldest-cities-in-the-world/ (Accessed: 6 July 2025). History.com Editors (2019) Ancient Rome. Available at: https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/ancient-rome(Accessed: 6 July 2025). BBC News (2018) The Oldest City in the World. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26706893 (Accessed: 6 July 2025). The New York Times (2019) Damascus: The Oldest Continuously Inhabited City in the World. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/24/world/middleeast/damascus-history.html (Accessed: 6 July 2025). World Atlas (2021) Oldest Cities in the World. Available at: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/oldest-cities-in-the-world.html (Accessed: 6 July 2025). Lonely Planet (2021) Hanoi Travel Guide. Available at: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/hanoi (Accessed: 6 July 2025).
Screenshot 2024-12-16 at 16.55.04.png

SCALA

lists

CONTACT US

We'd Love to Hear From You!

If you would like to submit a list request, talk business or send over your thoughts, we are all ears!

GET ON THE LADDER!

© 2025 by Scala Lists. All Rights Reserved.

bottom of page