Lake Titicaca, Bolivia/Peru

Lake Titicaca, Bolivia/Peru
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lac_Titicaca_3635_metres_260.jpg
Author: Viault


Lake Titicaca is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. Located in the Andes, on the border between Peru and Bolivia, it is 3,811 m (12,500 ft) above sea level, and has a surface area covering 8,372 sq km (3,232 sq mi). In terms of volume, it is also the largest lake in South America, and the second largest in terms of surface area after Lake Maracaibo.

Lake Titicaca is on the northern end of the Altiplano basin. To the west of the lake is the Puno Region of Peru, while to the east is the La Paz Department of Bolivia. The lake comprises two sub-basins that are linked by the Strait of Tiquina. The two sub-basins are known as Lago Grande (also called Lago Chucuito) and Lago Pequeño (also called Wiñaymarka).

The island of Amantani as seen from Taquile on Lake Titicaca
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Intikawan_Amantani.jpg
Author: Bcasterline


There are five major rivers that flow into Lake Titicaca. In terms of volume, they are the River Ramis, Coata, Ilava, Huancané and Suchez. In addition, there are another twenty smaller rivers and streams that empty into the lake. Since 2000, the lake has experienced ever receding water levels. This is attributed to the shorter raining seasons that have been experienced lately.

There are 41 islands on Lake Titicaca. The major ones include Isla de la Luna, Isla del Sol, Isla Amantani and Isla Taquile. In addition, there is the touristic floating Uros Islands, which are made of reed. Another popular tourist sight is the Gate of the Sun, a megalithic solid stone arch built some 1,500 years ago.

Lake Titicaca scenery
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atardecer_Lago_Titicaca.jpg
Author: Hugo Nestor Quispe Saire


Fish farm on Lake Titicaca
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Criadero_de_peces_en_el_Lago_Titicaca_cerca_de_Copacabana_Bolivia.jpg
Author: Christopher Walker


Straw vessel at Puno, on the banks of Lake Titicaca
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peru_-_Puno_-_Titicaca_Lake_-_Aimara_(Aymara)_Village_on_the_water_-_19.jpg
Author: World Wide Gifts

Sights and Places of Interest at Lake Titicaca

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