Lake Titicaca Travel Guide
Situated on the border of Bolivia and Peru, with Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east, the very expansive lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America, also recognized due to the altitude it is located at, being the highest navigable lake in the whole world. A number of sources contribute to the lakes water volume augmentation, including glaciers, five large rivers (Suchez ,Coata, Ramis, Ilave and Huancané) and an additional twenty smaller streams. Structurally, it comprises two bodies of water, Lago Grande and Lago Pequeno, (the large lake and the small lake), suggestively named according to their size differences. The two lakes are united by the Strait of Tiquina.
One of the most interesting features of lake Titicaca and a profitable asset in terms of tourism in recent years consists of the 41 islands located on the lake and their population, as even though the islands are modest in size, many of them are home to a considerable number of families. Islands such as Isla del Sol, Amantani and Taquile are commendably populated considering their small size and are an example of compact communities living a traditional life, mainly centred on agriculture. The many artificial islands, formed out of reeds, known as the Uros, also boast flourishing communities.
Aside from its geographical features, lake Titicaca also owes its popularity to Inca mythology, as the Inca civilisation placed great emphasis on the lake and its surroundings. According to Inca mythology, lake Titicaca was sacred, as their main deities were believed to have emerged from its waters. Culturally and religiously, it was a focal point for the whole duration of the renowned Inca Empire, and some of the islands (Isla del Sol, for instance) still preserve an impressive number of ruins which reveal aspects of the Inca way of life, their beliefs and religious rituals.