Potosi, Bolivia - 22 May 2018; people sitting on benches Potosi and its history are inextricably linked with silver. One of the highest cities in the world at an elevation of 4,090 metres (13,420 ft), it was for centuries the location of the Spanish colonial mint. All this is down to the fact that the city lies at the base of Cerro Rico (rich mountain) - a mountain packed with sliver ore. Today Potosi has fallen on harder times, but traces of its colonial splendour remain. Spot Cerro Rico in the background, together with the bell tower of San Francisco Church.