Is Lake Titicaca worth the trip?
With many traditional towns around and on the lake, and plenty of wildlife and nature to experience, there is no end to the possibilities and rewards of visiting a place like this. Here are five Lake Titicaca hotels and resorts that are worth the trip.
What is so special about Lake Titicaca?
What is so special about Lake Titicaca? It is world-record breaking The highest navigable body of water in the world, Lake Titicaca sits 3,800 meters above sea level. At 12,500 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains of South America, it sits astride the border between Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east.
Is Lake Titicaca the worlds highest navigable lake?
Lake Titicaca, Spanish Lago Titicaca, the world’s highest lake navigable to large vessels, lying at 12,500 feet (3,810 metres) above sea level in the Andes Mountains of South America, astride the border between Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east. What is world’s lowest lake? The lowest lake in the world is the Dead Sea.
What made Lake Titicaca get its name?
Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America and one of the highest lakes in the world at 3812 m (12,507 ft). The origins of the name are unknown, but “Titicaca” combines words from the local languages Quechua and Aymara and has been translated to mean “Rock of Puma”. I got this bit from Wikipedia so my knowledge ends there.
Why is Lake Titicaca important and famous?
Lake Titicaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest of the world's large lakes. Titicaca is one of less than twenty ancient lakes on earth, and is thought to be there million years old. Lake Titicaca sits 3 810 m above sea level and is situated between Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east.
Why is Lake Titicaca important to the Incas?
Lake Titicaca was a sacred space to the ancient Andean empire of the Inca, which at its height in the early 16th century controlled territory from modern-day Colombia to Chile.
What are two facts about Lake Titicaca?
Facts About Lake TiticacaIt is shaped like a Puma. ... It is the origin of Incan Mythology. ... It is world-record breaking. ... You can go island hopping. ... There is a temple at its bottom. ... It is protected. ... It has islands of the sun and moon. ... Its unique ecology is home to many endemic species.More items...•
Is Lake Titicaca the deepest lake in the world?
Lake Titicaca (/tɪtɪˈkɑːkə/; Spanish: Lago Titicaca [ˈlaɣo titiˈkaka]; Quechua: Titiqaqa Qucha) is a large freshwater lake in the Andes mountains on the border of Bolivia and Peru. This lake is often called the "highest lake" in the world.
Which lake is the highest lake in the world?
Kajin Sara Lake discovered in Nepal gains fame as the highest lake in the world.
Why is Lake Titicaca sacred?
The lake was also considered to be the centre of the cosmos and origin of the sun, moon, stars, and humankind and, consequently, was one of the most sacred sites for the Inca civilization.
Do sharks live in Lake Titicaca?
The remains of a 400 million year old ancient shark were discovered very near to Lake Titicaca by students of the State University of Puno. The discovery of this fossil created speculation of freshwater sharks living in Lake Titicaca, but there has been no further evidence.
Is Lake Titicaca drying up?
Misuse of the water supply and a failure on the part of the Bolivian government to act on existing management plans are partly responsible for the rapid drying of the lake over the past few years, says Lisa Borre, a senior researcher with the Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies in New York, who studies lake ecosystems ...
Does Lake Titicaca ever freeze?
Lake Titicaca Never Freezes Over Even though Lake Titicaca is in the Andes mountain range at a high elevation, the lake doesn't freeze over.
Is water from Lake Titicaca drinkable?
In the desolate Andes plateau, Lake Titicaca serves as a source of drinking water and food for the surrounding population and, as such, is vital for their existence.
What is the deepest lake on Earth?
Lake BaikalLake Baikal (5,315 feet [1,620 meters]) Lake Baikal, in Siberia, holds the distinction of being both the deepest lake in the world and the largest freshwater lake, holding more than 20% of the unfrozen fresh water on the surface of Earth.
Which is the largest man made lake in the world?
Lake KaribaLake Kariba is the world's largest artificial lake and reservoir by volume. It lies 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) upstream from the Indian Ocean, along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Did the Incas live on Lake Titicaca?
Lake Titicaca was a sacred lake to the Incas. Lake Titicaca was the cradle for Peru's ancient civilizations.
What lake was the birthplace of the Incas?
Lake TiticacaLake Titicaca: the beginning of the Inca Empire.
How did Lake Titicaca get its name?
The Titicaca Lake: The Mount of the Puma . The name Titicaca comes from the two Quechua words Titi which means Puma and Caca which means mount, this name is a reminder of the felines that lived many centuries ago in the vicinity of the territory.
What prehistoric remains were found in Lake Titicaca?
Scientists have discovered the remains of a prehistoric shark dating back 400 million years near Peru's Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. The “Pucapampella Shark” was unearthed at Imarrucos, a paleontological site at the northwest of Titicaca.
Where is Lake Titicaca?from britannica.com
Lake Titicaca, Spanish Lago Titicaca, the world’s highest lake navigable to large vessels, lying at 12,500 feet (3,810 metres) above sea level in the Andes Mountains of South America, astride the border between Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east. Titicaca is the second largest lake of South America (after Maracaibo).
When does Titicaca Lake level rise?from britannica.com
Titicaca’s level fluctuates seasonally and over a cycle of years. During the rainy season (summer, from December to March) the level of the lake rises, normally to recede during the dry winter months.
What is the name of the lake in Peru?from britannica.com
A narrow strait, Tiquina, separates the lake into two bodies of water. The smaller, in the southeast, is called Lake Huiñaymarca in Bolivia and Lake Pequeño in Peru; the larger, in the northwest, is called Lake Chucuito in Bolivia and Lake Grande in Peru. An Aymara Indian poling a reed boat on Lake Titicaca, near the Bolivian shore.
What is the most popular tourist attraction in South America?from earthobservatory.nasa.gov
Lake Titicaca is one of the most popular tourist attractions in South America. Many rivers drain into the lake, including several draining glaciers (top right). A semicircular river delta bulges into the lake (center), while some other rivers enter through protected bays and make dark green wetlands. A green algal bloom appears at the south end of ...
How many islands are there in Titicaca?from britannica.com
Forty-one islands, some of them densely populated, rise from Titicaca’s waters. The largest, Titicaca Island (Spanish: Isla de Titicaca, also called Isla del Sol ), lies just off the tip of the Copacabana Peninsula in Bolivia.
What is the salinity of Titicaca water?from britannica.com
Titicaca’s waters are limpid and only slightly brackish, with salinity ranging from 5.2 to 5.5 parts per 1,000. Surface temperatures average 56 °F (14 °C); from a thermocline at 66 feet (20 m) temperatures drop to 52 °F (11 °C) at the bottom. Analyses show measurable quantities of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate in the water.
How many rivers drain into Titicaca?from britannica.com
More than 25 rivers empty their waters into Titicaca; the largest, the Ramis, draining about two-fifths of the entire Titicaca Basin, enters the northwestern corner of the lake. One small river, the Desaguadero, drains the lake at its southern end.
Where is Lake Titicaca?
Lake Titicaca ( / tɪtɪˈkɑːkə /; Spanish: Lago Titicaca [ˈlaɣo titiˈkaka]; Quechua: Titiqaqa Qucha) is a large, deep, freshwater lake in the Andes on the border of Bolivia and Peru, often called the "highest navigable lake" in the world. By volume of water and by surface area, ...
Why is Titicaca Lake so bad?
This drop is caused by shortened rainy seasons and the melting of glaciers feeding the tributaries of the lake. Water pollution is also an increasing concern because cities in the Titicaca watershed grow, sometimes outpacing solid waste and sewage treatment infrastructure. According to the Global Nature Fund (GNF), Titicaca's biodiversity is threatened by water pollution and the introduction of new species by humans. In 2012, the GNF nominated the lake "Threatened Lake of the Year".
How many species of orestias are there in Lake Titicaca?
About 90% of the fish species in the basin are endemic, including 23 species of Orestias that only are found in the lake.
What fish are in the Titicaca lake?
In addition to the Titicaca orestias, native fish species in the lake's basin are other species of Orestias, and the catfish Trichomycterus dispar, T. rivulatus, and Astroblepus stuebeli (the last species not in the lake itself, but in associated ecosystems).
Why is water pollution important in Titicaca?
Water pollution is also an increasing concern because cities in the Titicaca watershed grow, sometimes outpacing solid waste and sewage treatment infrastructure. According to the Global Nature Fund (GNF), Titicaca's biodiversity is threatened by water pollution and the introduction of new species by humans.
What is the largest lake in South America?
( Lake Maracaibo has a larger surface area, but it is a tidal bay, not a lake.) Lake Titicaca has a surface elevation of 3,812 m (12,507 ft). The "highest navigable lake" claim is generally considered to refer to commercial craft.
What is the largest boat in Titicaca?
tons), 79-metre (259 ft) SS Ollanta. Today, the largest vessel is most likely the similarly sized train barge/float Manco Capac, operated by PeruRail. Other cultures lived on Lake Titicaca prior to the arrival of the Incas.
What is the elevation of Lake Titicaca?
To the northeast of the lake are some of the highest peaks in the area, towering over the lake at 6,400 meters tall, or 21,000 feet.These higher peaks are covered in snow year round, due to the altitude, and offer an impressive backdrop to the calm waters of the lake.
Where is Lake Titicaca located?
Lake Titicaca is located between Peru and Bolivia and is the largest freshwater lake in South America. It is situated at an elevation of 3,810 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest large lakes on Earth. Lake Titicaca is also one of under twenty lakes which are considered ancient lakes. Though the exact age is unknown, historians and ...
What are the native species of Titicaca Grebe?
The Titicaca Grebe is another native species which is endemic to the lake region. These duck-like waterfowl live and feed amongst the shallower waters of the lake, finding protection amongst the totora reeds. There are also a few distinct mammals that live around the lake’s edges, and in the surrounding regions.
Why is Lake Titicaca losing water?
Though the Desguadero does provide some drainage for the lake, it is very small, and the outflow is limited. In fact, evaporation is the main cause of water loss in Lake Titicaca as the sun is especially strong in the high open plateau. The lake water is slightly brackish meaning it is more saline than freshwater.
What is the highest lake in the world?
Lake Titicaca. Locals welcome tourists to Uros Island on Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca was considered by the Incas to be the birthplace of the sun, and still holds a sacred status to many locals. The lake is situated at an elevation of 3,810 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest large lakes on Earth.
How many rivers are there in Lake Titicaca?
Lake Titicaca is fed by some 25 different rivers and waterways. The largest of these rivers is called Ramis, and it is responsible for the majority of the water flow to the lake. Other notable rivers include Coata, Ilave, Huancané, and Suchez. Though the Desguadero does provide some drainage for the lake, it is very small, and the outflow is limited. In fact, evaporation is the main cause of water loss in Lake Titicaca as the sun is especially strong in the high open plateau. The lake water is slightly brackish meaning it is more saline than freshwater. This may be because the lake was once an ancient sea, which has now become almost entirely freshwater over time. The water levels of the lake rise and fall with the seasons, with the highest levels occurring between December and March, in the summer rainy season. On average, though, the lake has a depth of anywhere from 140 to 180 meters, or 460 to 600 feet. The deepest portion of the lake, just off of the northeastern shore, has been reported at 280 meters, or 920 feet.
What did the Incas build?
They erected a vast stone city, including pyramids and a Gateway to the Sun. The 1400s saw the arrival of the Incas. They built further structures and temples, the remains of which can still be seen through Peru and Bolivia today, and also held the mythological belief that the lake was the birthplace of the sun.
Where is Lake Titicaca?
Current human inhabitants – Lake Titicaca is split between Peru (west) and Bolivia (east). Major settlements on the shores of the lake include Puno in Peru and Copacabana in Bolivia.
How does Lake Titicaca lose water?
The lake loses most of its water through evaporation. Coordinates – 15°45′S 69°25′W (roughly centered in the middle of the lake). See more maps showing the precise global and continental location of Lake Titicaca.
What is the name of the lake in Peru?
Facts About Lake Titicaca. Tony Dunnell is a travel writer specializing in Peruvian tourism and the founder of the How to Peru blog. Lake Titicaca is a stunning and inspiring place, a windswept, high altitude body of water surrounded by the impressive landscapes of the Peruvian Altiplano (Andean Plateau).
What is the largest freshwater lake in South America?
Here, however, we’ll be keeping one foot firmly on the ground (or maybe the shore) as we look at some of the most interesting facts about Lake Titicaca: the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world.
How big is Lake Ontario?
For comparison, Lake Ontario has a surface area of 7,340 square miles. Length – As you can see from this map of Lake Titicaca, the lake stretches from the northwest to the southeast for a distance of about of 120 miles (190 km). Width – At its widest point, the lake measures about 50 miles (80 km). Average depth – 107 meters.
Is Lake Titicaca a high altitude body of water?
Lake Titicaca is a stunning and inspiring place, a windswept, high altitude body of water surrounded by the impressive landscapes of the Peruvian Altiplano (Andean Plateau). Many visitors feel a spiritual connection here, or a palpable sense of the wonder of nature, a feeling that transcends their physical surroundings.
Who were the first people to live in Lake Titicaca?
First human inhabitants – The shores and islands of Lake Titicaca have been inhabited since ancient times, at least as far back as the origins of the first Andean societies. Notable societies to have inhabited the region include the Pukara, Tiwanaku, Colla Lupaka and Inca civilizations.
How high above sea level is Lake Titicaca?
Driving at over 4000 meters above sea level can be dangerous if you’re not used to it. In any case, there is no one definite answer on how to best get to Lake Titicaca: it all depends on your budget, schedule, and travel style!
How to get to Lake Titicaca?
Arriving at Lake Titicaca by bus is the most affordable option but you’ll need to brace yourself for a long drive and possible delays. Direct buses to Puno run from Lima, Arequipa, and Cusco; you can catch a direct connection to Copacabana from La Paz. If you want to explore the lake from both countries, there are also buses between Puno and Copacabana that take around 4 hours (plus an hour or so at the border). Getting to Lake Titicaca by plane is much faster but also way more expensive than the bus (always the way, isn’t it?). Note that Copacabana has its own airport, but to reach Puno you will have to fly to the nearby town of Juliaca and then take a taxi or bus. And, of course, if you’re feeling brave you can also get to Lake Titicaca by car. Beware of the high altitude, though! Driving at over 4000 meters above sea level can be dangerous if you’re not used to it. In any case, there is no one definite answer on how to best get to Lake Titicaca: it all depends on your budget, schedule, and travel style!
What to see at Lake Titicaca?
It is no surprise that a lake of this size boasts incredible biodiversity. Lake Titicaca is home to over 500 aquatic species, including the spectacular Puna ibis, charming Chilean pink flamingo, and a little bit less charming Lake Titicaca frog (it can weigh up to 3kg!). Part of the lake is actually a protected area under the name of Titicaca National Reserve. Thanks to the great efforts at sustainable tourism, you can enjoy splendid bird-watching and trekking opportunities here.
Why is Lake Titicaca salty?
The historical explanation of why it’s salty it’s because it used to be saltwater. It sits in a sedimentary basin that used to be below sea level, which then was uplifted as the Andes were created.
What to do on Isla Amantani?
To enjoy your visit to the lake to the fullest, choose an island homestay. At Isla Amantani, it involves helping with everyday tasks like cooking and taking part in community activities such as traditional dances. On Isla Taquile, you can watch the local crafts and perhaps even have a go at weaving yourself.
What is the highest body of water in the world?
The Mysterious Lake Titicaca. At 3,800 meters above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable body of water in the world. It’s also the largest lake in South America with a surface area of 8,372km 2. Its location is somewhat peculiar – it lies astride the border of Peru (to the west) and Bolivia (to the east).
What is the average surface temperature of a lake?
Surface temperatures average 14°C (56°F), temperatures are slightly lower at 11°C (52°F) at the bottom. You’ll need to have some Wim Hof lessons not to be cold in the lake! Alternatively, take a wetsuit or just try not to fall into the water.
Why is Lake Titicaca so famous?
Let us now list some of the reasons why Lake Titicaca is famous. Firstly, the lake is the highest navigable lake in the world that in itself is very impressive. The lake sits at 12500 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountain range located on the border of both Peru and Bolivia. The lake is the second-largest in South America at 3200 square miles, ...
Where is Lake Titicaca located?
“ Where is Lake Titicaca ?” you may ask… it is located in the southernmost part of Peru on the border with Bolivia.
What is the origin of Titicaca Lake?
Origin of the Titicaca Lake. In local legend the lake is called The Birthplace of the Incas and The Birthplace of the Sun, Inca mythology says that the first Inca King, Manco Capac was born at Lake Titicaca. After that, the gods created a wife for the king and they started a tribe, giving Lake Titicaca the name The Birthplace of the Incas.
What are the islands in Puno?
Taquile and Amantani Floating Islands. Also situated on the lake is the rock islands of Taquile and Amantani. Both islands are available to visit and are unmissable places on your visit to Puno. Both Taquile and Amantani have very interesting local communities and live simple lives.
Why is Titikaka Island called Koati?
The reason for its name is that, in the Inca times, its temple housed virgins dedicated to the Sun God (Inti). Its original name: Titikaka island, means “stone cougar”, referring to the pumas that used to inhabit it and its rocky nature. Koati, as the population call the Moon Island, is only 15 minutes from Sun Island.
What is the most famous place in Lake Titicaca?
Without a doubt, the most famous place in the lake is the Uros Islands Lake Titicaca. If you have not heard about these islands, let us go into some detail. Many centuries ago, the Uros people were caught in the middle of warring tribes on the mainland. They decided to leave the mainland and create their own islands in the middle of the lake and what did they make these islands from? They made them from the reeds growing on the shores of the lake. The islands are anchored down and the local people replenish the reeds by placing a new layer every six months.
What is Puno famous for?
There is a train from the Imperial city of Cusco or you can catch the bus. Puno is also famous for the spectacular festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria, held on the streets of Puno every February. This wonder of color and music is compared to the Carnival in Rio.
How long was Lake Titicaca?from earthobservatory.nasa.gov
Lake Titicaca is believed to have been as much as 600 kilometers (400 miles) long during glacial periods, likely the result of higher rainfall and lower temperatures.
What is the salinity of Titicaca water?from britannica.com
Titicaca’s waters are limpid and only slightly brackish, with salinity ranging from 5.2 to 5.5 parts per 1,000. Surface temperatures average 56 °F (14 °C); from a thermocline at 66 feet (20 m) temperatures drop to 52 °F (11 °C) at the bottom. Analyses show measurable quantities of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate in the water.
What is the name of the lake in Peru?from britannica.com
A narrow strait, Tiquina, separates the lake into two bodies of water. The smaller, in the southeast, is called Lake Huiñaymarca in Bolivia and Lake Pequeño in Peru; the larger, in the northwest, is called Lake Chucuito in Bolivia and Lake Grande in Peru. An Aymara Indian poling a reed boat on Lake Titicaca, near the Bolivian shore.
What is the most popular tourist attraction in South America?from earthobservatory.nasa.gov
Lake Titicaca is one of the most popular tourist attractions in South America. Many rivers drain into the lake, including several draining glaciers (top right). A semicircular river delta bulges into the lake (center), while some other rivers enter through protected bays and make dark green wetlands. A green algal bloom appears at the south end of ...
How many rivers drain into Titicaca?from britannica.com
More than 25 rivers empty their waters into Titicaca; the largest, the Ramis, draining about two-fifths of the entire Titicaca Basin, enters the northwestern corner of the lake. One small river, the Desaguadero, drains the lake at its southern end.
Where are the Incas located?from britannica.com
On Titicaca Island ruins of a temple mark the spot where, according to the tradition of the Incas (a Quechuan people of Peru who established an empire about 1100 ce ), the legendary founders of the Inca dynasty, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, were sent down to Earth by the Sun.
When did trout come to Titicaca?from britannica.com
In 1939 , and subsequently, trout were introduced into Titicaca. A large frog ( Telmatobius ), which may reach a length of nearly a foot, inhabits the shallower regions of the lake. Forty-one islands, some of them densely populated, rise from Titicaca’s waters.
How high is Lake Titicaca?
The highest navigable body of water in the world, Lake Titicaca sits 3,800 meters above sea level. At 12,500 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains of South America, it sits astride the border between Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east. For those concerned about the altitude, it may be worth noting Titicaca is higher than Cusco (11,152 feet) but lower than the highest point on the Inca Trail (13,780 feet).
How many rivers drain into Lake Titicaca?
More than 25 rivers and many glaciers empty into Lake Titicaca, but only one drains from it. This river is the Desaguadero, and it only drains 5% of incoming water (the other 95% is lost through evaporation).
How many islands are there in Titicaca?
Over forty islands are sprinkled throughout Lake Titicaca, hosting a mix of rolling hills, various populations and ancient ruins begging to be explored. A majority of them are inhabited, the largest of which is the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) on the Bolivian side. On this one island alone you will find over 180 ancient Incan ruins. The other major islands are Amantani, Taquile (Peru), Isla de la Luna, Suriki (Bolivia). Also on the Peruvian side are the famous artificial floating islands of the Uros people, which are made of totora reeds.
What were the three peoples that lived in Lake Titicaca?
Before the Inca civilization, three other peoples resided at Lake Titicaca and left their marks on the culture: the Pukara, Tiwanaku, and Collas.
What is the name of the lake in Aymara?
Local communities believe that the shape of the lake depicts that of a puma hunting the rabbit. Thus the name, Titicaca, comes from the word “Titi Khar’ka” meaning Rock of the Puma in Aymara (a local indigenous language).
How many species of fish are there in Lake Titicaca?
The ecology of Lake Titicaca may not get as much attention as that of the neighboring Amazon rainforest but certainly deserves recognition. More than 530 aquatic species can be found in Lake Titicaca, as well as many species of water birds. Threatened species than can be found here include the enormous Titicaca water frog and the Titicaca grebe. Approximately 90% of the fish found in the basin are endemic species not found anywhere else.
What are the dimensions of Lake Ontario?
13. It is titanic in size… 1 Surface Area – 3,230 square miles (8,370 square km). For comparison, Lake Ontario has a surface area of 7,340 square miles. 2 Length – The lake stretches from the northwest to the southeast for a distance of about 120 miles (190 km). 3 Width – At its widest point, the lake measures about 50 miles (80 km). 4 Average Depth – 107 meters 5 Maximum Depth – 920 feet (280 meters). The deepest part of the lake is in the northeast corner; some sources put this maximum depth closer to 1000 feet (305 meters). 6 Volume – It is comfortably the largest lake in South America by volume of water at 893 km³.
Summary
Lake Titicaca is a large freshwater lake in the Andes mountains on the border of Bolivia and Peru. This lake is often called the "highest lake" in the world. By volume of water and by surface area, it is also the largest lake in South America.
Lake Titicaca has a surface elevation of 3,812 m (12,507 ft). The "highest lake" claim is generally considered to refer to commercial craft. Numerous smaller bodies of water (that are not consider…
Overview
The lake is located at the northern end of the endorheic Altiplano basin high in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia. The western part of the lake lies within the Puno Region of Peru, and the eastern side is located in the Bolivian La Paz Department.
The lake consists of two nearly separate subbasins connected by the Strait of Tiquina, which is 800 m (2,620 ft) across at the narrowest point. The larger subbasin, Lago Grande (also called L…
Temperature
The cold sources and winds over the lake give it an average surface temperature of 10 to 14 °C (50 to 57 °F). In the winter (June – September), mixing occurs with the deeper waters, which are always between 10 and 11 °C (50 and 52 °F).
Name
Neither the protohistoric nor prehistoric name for Lake Titicaca is known. Given the various Indigenous groups that occupied the Lake Titicaca region, it likely lacked a single, commonly accepted name in prehistoric times and at the time the Spaniards arrived.
The terms titi and caca can be translated in multiple ways. In Aymara, titi can be translated as either puma, lead, or a heavy metal. The word caca (kaka) can be translated as white or grey hai…
Ecology
Lake Titicaca is home to more than 530 aquatic species.
The lake holds large populations of water birds and was designated as a Ramsar Site on August 26, 1998. Several threatened species such as the huge Titicaca water frog and the flightless Titicaca grebe are largely or entirely restricted to the lake, and the Titicaca orestias has likely become extinct (last seen in 1938) due to competition and predation by the introduced rainbow trout and the
Geology
The Tinajani Basin, in which Lake Titicaca lies, is an intermontane basin. This basin is a pull-apart basin created by strike-slip movement along regional faults starting in the late Oligocene and ending in the late Miocene. The initial development of the Tinajani Basin is indicated by volcanic rocks, which accumulated between 27 and 20 million years ago within this basin. They lie upon an angular unconformity which cuts across pre-basin strata. Lacustrine sediments of the Lower Tinajan…
Islands
The "Floating Islands" are small, man-made islands constructed by the Uros (or Uru) people from layers of cut totora, a thick, buoyant sedge that grows abundantly in the shallows of Lake Titicaca. The Uros harvest the sedges that naturally grow on the lake's banks to make the islands by continuously adding sedges to the surface.
According to legend, the Uru people originated in the Amazon and migrated to the area of Lake …
Transport
The dual gauge car float Manco Capac links PeruRail's 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge line at Puno with the Bolivian railways' 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) meter gauge line at Guaqui.
The lake has had a number of steamships, each of which was built in the United Kingdom in "knock down" form with bolts and nuts, disassembled into many hundreds of pieces, transported to the lake, and then riveted together and launched.